Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 48
MILLER CANYON & PINE VALLEY LOOP
LENGTH AND TYPE: 24.1-mile loop
RATING: Strenuous
TRAIL CONDITION: Difficult to impassable, poison oak, faint tread, trail washouts
HIGHLIGHTS: This loop takes in deep narrow river gorges rich in ferns and lined with colorful hard-
woods where you'll find waterfall oases and pristine swimming holes.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD:
Park at the large turnout on Tassajara Road across from
China Camp, then stroll to the end of the entrance road. The trailhead is at the junction
with gated Jeffery Road. There is no water at the trailhead.
TRIP SUMMARY:
This route offers several loop, out-and-back, and point-to-point op-
tions. The following description comprises a loop through Miller Canyon to the Carmel
River confluence, up Pine Valley to the river's headwaters at Church Creek Divide,
then back to China Camp via the Pine Ridge Trail. This order assumes hikers will
spend the final night in scenic Pine Valley, followed by a 2000-foot climb over the re-
maining 5.3 miles. Taking the reverse route would mean spending the last night at less
scenic Miller Canyon Camp, followed by a nearly 3000-foot climb over the final 7.1
miles to the trailhead.
If you can arrange a shuttle vehicle, an excellent 15-mile point-to-point hike leads
from China Camp along Miller Canyon and the Carmel River to Los Padres Dam.
Highlights include scenic views from golden oak savannas and stays at the riverside
Carmel River and Bluff Camps.
Miller and Carmel River Canyons are most pleasant in fall, when the lush hard-
wood forests turn brilliant hues of yellow, orange, and crimson. In late summer and
fall, ticks, flies, and mosquitoes have diminished and temperatures are ideal for wad-
ing the creeks and rivers. After heavy winter storms, easy boulder-hopping crossings
can turn swift and dangerous. In spring the broad meadows and open savannas are
blanketed in wildflowers and vibrant new growth. Unfortunately, regardless of the sea-
son, the bottomland trails are heavily overgrown with poison oak.
