Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Manuel became head vaquero at Juan B.R. Cooper's Rancho El Sur, at present-
day Andrew Molera State Park. Manuel and wife Francisca had seven children, none
of whom reached adulthood.
The trail switchbacks up a steeper crest, then makes a short ascent on an easier
grade to a spur for the
Manuel Peak viewpoint
(5.3 miles, 3379'), capped with
white marble rubble and a small scraggly live oak. The open summit offers a nearly
360-degree view of the Ventana Wilderness and neighboring
Big Sur State Park.
For
relief in the shade, retreat to a dense stand of Coulter pines past a conspicuous, yet
camouflaged reflector a few paces north of the viewpoint. Once rested, head back
down the trail.
For those headed to Bottchers Gap, 12.7 miles farther north, reverse the trail de-
scription in
TRIP 42 Manuel Peak & Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
. Be forewarned: The
trail from Manuel Peak to Launtz Creek Camp is heavily overgrown and not recom-
mended.
