Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Expect solitude under the shade of towering redwoods along the South Fork Little Sur
River.
Trip Description
See
TRIP 41 Pico Blanco
for the first 5.3 miles of this route to the
Manuel Peak Trail
junction
(2090').
At the signed junction, branch left and climb past oak- and madrone-filtered
views down the
South Fork Little Sur
canyon, framed by
Pico Blanco
to the west
and
Post Summit
to the south. The trail crosses several minor gullies as it climbs past
shady tanoak, live oak, and madrone forests into chaparral, chamise, and manzanita
brush. You'll soon descend into a cool, damp redwood forest highlighted by sprawl-
ing tanoaks.
The trail drops north past a major gully, then briefly south along the north bank
of
Launtz Creek
to
Launtz Creek Camp
(6.9 miles, 1920'), a favorite stop along the
Manuel Peak Trail.
Though more spacious than the recently damaged
Vado Camp,
there's only room for about three tents on its sloping creekside sites. You'll find year-
round water.
Beyond camp the trail crosses the creek, turns upstream 100 yards, then climbs
southwest along a few short switchbacks to the minor ridge that divides Launtz Creek
and the South Fork Little Sur. You'll descend this minor ridge along a well-graded
trail to the South Fork canyon floor. The trail follows the river upstream, crossing it
three times over a quarter mile.
Just past the third crossing, look for several large downed trees. Provided the
Forest Service or another crew has not cut or moved these trees, they mark the
Vado
Camp Trail junction
(7.8 miles, 1790'). This 100-foot spur crosses the South Fork
to a small east-sloping gully, the site of camp. In 2003 a major windstorm toppled
several large trees directly onto the site. What remains amid the tangle would at best
accommodate one or two tents along a bench on the south side of the gully. In summer
and fall the South Fork often runs dry, requiring a short hike downstream for water.
Most hikers hang up their boots at Vado Camp, as the trail to
Manuel Peak
is
overgrown and often difficult to follow. Between Manuel Peak and
Pfeiffer Big Sur
State Park,
the trail is clearly marked, but washouts make the steep descent danger-
ous, especially for those lugging heavy packs. Nevertheless, as some of you have your
hearts set on the summit, the trail description follows. Respect your limits and tread
carefully.
From camp you'll cross the South Fork and climb west along a series of switch-
backs. The trail continues its steady ascent south, dipping in and out of minor
redwood-lined gullies. At the fourth
gully
(9.4 miles, 2280'), a small creeklet flows
