Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 19
BUZZARDS ROOST TRAIL
LENGTH AND TYPE: 3.1-mile loop
RATING: Moderate
TRAIL CONDITION: Clear, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: Summit views overlook prominent ridgelines east to the Big Sur River gorge and west to
Sycamore Canyon and the vast blue ocean.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
From the park entrance, head to the stop sign, then contin-
ue straight past Big Sur Lodge. Immediately past the lodge, the road forks. Bear right
on the two-lane bridge over the Big Sur River. The parking lot is on the left just past
the bridge. The trail begins on the west bank beneath the bridge.
TRIP SUMMARY:
This trail follows the south bank of the Big Sur beneath a canopy of
redwoods and tanoaks before climbing Pfeiffer Ridge. Despite the promise of gorgeous
overlooks of the Santa Lucia Range and Pacific, the trail is little used. You may find
yourself alone at the top with large turkey vultures that roost in the redwoods below. In
summer, fog envelops the coast, obscuring views. Fog is less likely in the spring and
fall, while winter views between storms are often spectacular. Strong winds are always
a factor atop the open ridge—bring a windbreaker or sweater year-round.
Trip Description
From the trailhead, the
Buzzards Roost Trail
crosses beneath the bridge to follow the
banks of the
Big Sur River.
Autumn visits are highlighted by deep yellow and orange
hues from the large sycamores, alders, bigleaf maples, and willows that flank the river.
A short, gentle descent downstream brings you to a spur that leads straight 0.1 mile to
a riverside group camp.
From this
spur junction
(0.2 mile, 310'), the main trail forks uphill toward
Pfeif-
fer Ridge.
A riparian woodland dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees quickly gives
way to a dense, shady redwood-tanoak forest. The redwoods persist despite a drier en-
vironment than that found in their northern range. As a result, much of the expected
dense understory of ferns and mosses is not present here.
At a sign marked
BUZZARDS ROOST TRAIL
(1.4 miles, 550'), the route forks to be-
come a 1.7-mile loop. Bear right on the more direct, well-graded ascent to
Buzzards
Ridge.
The shaded path passes beneath young redwoods and thin, dense stands of bay
trees. Closer to the ridgeline, the redwoods are stunted, perhaps from nutrient-poor soil
