Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sign. The trail narrows and then widens as it crosses a barren sandstone landscape,
perhaps a beach during the Ice Age, when ocean levels were several feet higher. Cali-
fornia poppies thrive here, among few plants capable of surviving such harsh condi-
tions. The trail ends at the
Spring Trail junction
(2.8 miles, 50').
The Spring Trail leads 0.1 mile down a narrow, slightly overgrown trail, follow-
ing a small gully to a dramatic beach, one of my favorites along the Big Sur coast.
After heavy winter storms, a tangle of driftwood blankets the beach entrance, creating
a beautiful obstacle course of water-sculpted roots, limbs, and trunks. Under high tide
and large winter surf, much of the beach disappears, but most other times you can en-
joy a barefoot stroll nearly half a mile in either direction (north toward
Molera Point
or south toward
Cooper Point
). Beyond that, the beach is too narrow and dangerous
to traverse in all but the lowest tides. Check tide tables at the entrance kiosk before
setting your sites on a long stroll. To reach the Bluffs and Panorama Trails, return to
the Spring Trail junction.
At this junction, the 1.9-mile
Panorama Trail
begins. The trail crosses the pre-
viously mentioned gully, then gradually switchbacks inland, ascending to a ridge
capped by a cluster of stunted redwoods that hardly resemble the species renowned as
the world's tallest tree. This close to the ocean, the redwoods are exposed to salt spray
and gale-force winds that warp the trees into their gnarled state.
The trail follows a minor depression, then ascends to one of the park's best view-
points, allowing plenty of time to catch one's breath and enjoy the hike (4.3 miles,
930'). Following a 200-foot climb, you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of Point
Sur to the northwest, Pico Blanco to the north, and Cone Peak lording over the south-
eastern horizon some 40 miles away.
Pressing on, you'll reach a junction with a 200-foot spur (4.4 miles, 950'), which
leads south toward a cluster of homes nestled along a hillside beside the fence and
road. The steep ascent continues 0.3 mile to the
Ridge Trail junction
(4.7 miles,
1050') and the park's highest viewpoint west of Highway 1. Find the well-placed
bench in the shade of a Monterey cypress to rest and take it all in.
The 2.75-mile Ridge Trail gently descends a closed fire road through incredibly
diverse plant communities of coyote brush, sagebrush, coffeeberry, and the ubiquitous
poison oak, then past clustered tanoaks and sprawling coast live oaks draped with lacy
sage-colored lichen. Next come stately redwoods accompanied by redwood sorrel (a
large four-leaf clover) and sword fern, easily identified by its large serrated fronds.
In half a mile the trail reaches the
South Boundary Trail junction
(5.2 miles,
900'). For a change of scenery and a chance to commune with nature, you could des-
cend this lightly used 1.9-mile spur to the
Big Sur River
and Highway 1. Refrain
