Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 30
PACIFIC VALLEY TRAIL
LENGTH AND TYPE: 0.7-mile out-and-back
RATING: Easy
TRAIL CONDITION: Clear, poison oak
HIGHLIGHTS: Dramatic views of eroding coastal cliffs, jagged outcrops, and sculpted arches
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
The trail starts from a free turnout on the west side of
Highway 1, directly across from the
Pacific Valley Station (see Visitor Center)
.
TRIP SUMMARY:
Despite its name, this is not a valley, but 3 miles of gently sloping
marine terrace. The flat coastal expanse represents a dramatic change from the Big
Sur's trademark steep topography and offers some of the easiest hiking and beach ac-
cess in the area. Bluff trails lead to daunting cliffs and promontories with spectacular
views of the boulder-strewn coastline. Keep watch for passing whales, as well as seals
and otters amid the nearshore kelp forests.
Trip Description
From the Highway 1 turnout, you'll step up and over a cattle gate onto a broad flat ter-
race. The US Forest Service manages this land, which has been extensively grazed for
decades. At any time, you may share the trail with roaming livestock.
The trail traverses the terrace past waste-high coyote brush amid an open meadow.
In spring these grasslands are speckled with buttercups, lupines, and poppies that have
survived the intense grazing pressure.
Continuing toward the ocean, the trail leads to another cattle gate up and over the
fence. Beyond it, the vegetation shifts from open grasslands to native lupine, poison
oak, sagebrush, coyote brush, and sticky monkeyflower, easily identified by its narrow
leaves and bright orange flowers. You'll soon wander past small, wind-sculpted dunes
stabilized by low-lying sand verbena, lupine, lizard tail, and more poison oak.
Past the dunes, the trail veers north and gently climbs the scalloped cliffs to a dra-
matic
rocky promontory
(0.5 mile, 40'). Behind you to the northeast, the rocky ridges
above
Limekiln
and
Hare Creeks
climb toward
Cone Peak,
comprising the steepest
coastal slope in the Lower 48. To the west,
Plaskett Rock
thrusts above the surf amid
natural arches carved by the Pacific. Watch for sea otters, which float on their backs to
crack open shellfish. Resting otters are often mistaken for floating logs, as they wrap
themselves in kelp in order to hold position on the surface.
