Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 20
MANUEL PEAK TRAIL
LENGTH AND TYPE: 10.8-mile out-and-back
RATING: Challenging
TRAIL CONDITION: Passable to difficult, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: Panoramic views from a secluded peak deep within the Big Sur watershed.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
From the park entrance, head to the stop sign, then con-
tinue straight past Big Sur Lodge. Immediately past the lodge, the road forks. Bear left
and drive 0.7 mile past the picnic areas. Bear left at the next fork and park across from
the trailhead at the base of a closed road, labeled on the park map as the Gorge Trail.
TRIP SUMMARY:
Offering an overview of the Ventana Wilderness, this steep trail aver-
ages an 11% grade, reaching 3379' in 5.4 miles at the peak's scenic viewpoint. You'll
ascend past sun-scorched chaparral, cool redwood groves, and oak woodlands. From
May through October, this is often a sunny, dry trek, so bring a wide-brimmed hat and
plenty of extra water. Despite the hot climb, wear long pants for protection from ticks,
brush, and poison oak. In summer, the coast is often fogbound, though views inland
remain unobscured.
Trip Description
The trailhead for the
Gorge Trail, Manuel Peak Trail,
and south end of the
Oak
Grove Trail
begins at the base of the closed paved road across from the parking lot.
Climb the service road 0.1 mile till it curves north at a junction with a dirt road. The
main road continues straight as the Gorge Trail. Turn left (west) on the dirt road past
John Pfeiffer's
Homestead Cabin.
Follow the Oak Grove Trail 50 feet north of the
cabin, where it narrows to a single lane and leads 0.4 mile farther to the Manuel Peak
Trail junction.
The trail makes an initial switchback east to meet a
spur
(0.2 mile, 220') that leads
down to one of the picnic area parking lots. Continue your moderate ascent beneath a
dense canopy of gnarled live oaks, tanoaks, and bays. In summer this short stretch of
shade provides welcome relief from the mostly exposed Manuel Peak Trail.
Past an enormous downed oak, you'll clamber up a minor ridge to a
fork
(0.6
mile, 560'). A sign warns that from here the Manuel Peak Trail is a strenuous climb
that ascends nearly 3000 feet in 4 miles. While largely well graded to the summit, the
