Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 21
GORGE TRAIL
LENGTH AND TYPE: 1-mile out-and-back
RATING: Easy to challenging
TRAIL CONDITION: Well maintained, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: This steep, narrow canyon features large granite boulders amid brisk, refreshing swim-
ming holes.
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.
TRIP SUMMARY:
This short trail skirts the Big Sur River to some of the region's best
swimming holes. The gorge is easy to traverse in summer, when campers and hikers
descend en masse to lounge poolside and bask on sunny boulders. During heavy winter
storms, however, the river can rise several feet in just a few hours, flooding the trail.
Trip Description
Head southeast up the paved fire road through the gate and gradually ascend to the
Homestead Cabin
(0.2 mile, 340'), built in 1884 by John Pfeiffer. Continue along the
paved road and cross the large bridge over the
Big Sur River
into the northern section
of the park campground (0.3 mile, 300').
Officially, the
Gorge Trail
ends here, though you have yet to enter the gorge.
Starting beside the bridge, two trails lead upstream along either the east or west banks
to the gorge. Passage is easiest in summer and fall, when water levels are low.
To avoid hiking through people's campsites, take the west bank, which leads up-
stream 0.1 mile to a refreshing pool, followed by a steep granite wall. On summer after-
noons, the surrounding granite rocks make warm, smooth sunbathing platforms. Water
temperatures on even the hottest summer day remain in the low to mid 60s Fahrenheit,
while on warm fall and spring days, temps linger in the mid to high 50s. Despite the
brisk water, dozens of swimmers frequent these pools in summer.
If you prefer more solitude, head farther upstream, though steeper walls allow
only slivers of sunshine to reach the canyon floor. The park discourages climbing here
due to loose rock and unstable soil. Clambering atop the slick granite boulders that line
the canyon floor is equally dangerous. During winter storms, the river can swiftly rise
