Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 40
COAST ROAD TO PICO BLANCO CAMP
LENGTH AND TYPE: 12-mile out-and-back or 12.4-mile point-to-point
RATING: Strenuous
TRAIL CONDITION: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls), tread evident to faint along the private
property boundary
HIGHLIGHTS: Stroll along the redwood-flanked Little Sur River to a crystal clear swimming hole near
Pico Blanco Camp.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD: The south end of Coast Road emerges on Highway 1 op-
posite the entrance to Andrew Molera State Park, 4.5 miles north of Pfeiffer Big Sur
State Park and 22 miles south of Carmel. The north end of Coast Road emerges on
Highway 1 at the north end of the Bixby Creek Bridge, 2 miles south of the Palo Co-
lorado Road junction, and 13.4 miles south of the Carmel Valley Road (County Road
G16) junction. In wet months the 10.3-mile road may be impassable for two-wheel-
drive vehicles.
The best route to the trailhead is via the south end of Coast Road, as this stretch is
shorter than the north end (3.8 miles versus 6.5 miles), usually in better condition, and
the grade is more consistent. You'll find mileage markers at half-mile intervals along
Coast Road. The trail begins at a gate on the east side of the road, 100 feet north of
Mile 6.5. Watch for the fire warning sign. Unlatch and close the gate behind you to
begin the descent to the Little Sur's South Fork.
TRIP SUMMARY: You can approach this as either a strenuous day hike or an overnight
trip. The camp is also accessible from Bottchers Gap via the Little Sur Trail (see TRIP
41 Pico Blanco ). Although this trail is the shorter route (6 miles versus 7.4 miles),
tangled overgrowth, persistent poison oak, and dangerous washouts make it tough go-
ing. If you have time, choose the overnight option, as you'll want time to enjoy the
swimming hole at trail's end.
The camp lies amid redwood groves and open oak woodlands along the sun-
drenched south-facing canyon walls of the Little Sur. Just upstream, the South Fork has
carved into Pico Blanco's marble flanks, creating a redwood-shaded grotto highlighted
by a waterfall and swimming hole.
The 12.4-mile point-to-point trip from Bottchers Gap to Coast Road is an ideal
weekend trip (see TRIP 41 Pico Blanco ) . Watch for ticks in spring, when brush en-
croaches on the trail, particularly beneath Pico Blanco on the last 3 miles of the route.
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