Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 16
VALLEY VIEW TRAIL
LENGTH AND TYPE: 1.6-mile loop
RATING: Easy
TRAIL CONDITION: Well maintained, poison oak, good for kids
HIGHLIGHTS: Sweeping views of the Big Sur River gorge, Point Sur, and Andrew Molera State Park
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
Pass the park's entrance kiosk and turn left at the stop
sign, following signs to Pfeiffer Falls. After 100 feet the road will fork. Veer right past
Ewoldsen Memorial Nature Center to the parking lot at road's end. The Valley View
Trail begins either 0.1 mile from the start of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail or from the base of
the falls, 0.4 mile down the same trail.
TRIP SUMMARY:
Beginning alongside Pfeiffer Redwood Creek, this semi-loop route
meanders past some of the park's largest coast redwoods. Climbing above the canyon
floor, the trail offers views down the Big Sur River gorge.
Trip Description
The Pfeiffer Falls Trail begins beneath old-growth redwoods alongside Pfeiffer Red-
wood Creek. The narrow, well-used path gently ascends the canyon, soon reaching the
Valley View Trail junction (0.1 mile, 400'). From the junction, the Valley View Trail
branches west, crosses a wooden footbridge, and ascends Pfeiffer Redwood Canyon.
Rising above the canyon floor, you'll pass beneath some of the park's grandest
redwoods. Over thousands of years, creek sediments have formed the rich alluvial soils
necessary to support these trees. Over the next 0.1 mile a trio of switchbacks leads out
of the canyon. Farther from the creek, these drier slopes support an entirely different
group of plants. Twisted live oaks, scraggly brush, and spring displays of deep purple
wild iris blanket the hillside (0.2 mile, 570').
As the trail climbs to the ridge, you'll glimpse the
Big Sur River
gorge off to the
west. Three more switchbacks lead to a trail junction—the route to the right leads 0.2
mile to
Pfeiffer Falls,
while the route left leads 0.3 mile to the
Valley View Vista
(0.5
mile, 630'). Veer left toward the vista, climbing to a ridge that offers oak-filtered views
to the north, east, and west.
The
viewpoint
(0.8 mile, 700') rewards you with panoramic views of the
Santa
Lucia Range
and down the Big Sur River gorge to the Pacific.
Point Sur
rises over
the rolling hills of Andrew Molera State Park, 7 miles northwest. In the canyon and
