Pfeiffer Falls

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California, USA

About Pfeiffer Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Pfeiffer Falls is a small multi-stranded 60ft waterfall typically within the shadowy forest confines within Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

We noticed that this was one of the more popular waterfalls on the Big Sur coast, and it was for good reason.

Big_Sur_State_Park_035_03192010 - Julie checking out Pfeiffer Falls
Julie checking out Pfeiffer Falls

Not only did we get a pretty nice waterfall, but we also got a nice view of the valley from an overlook, and it was all within a short day hike.

We also noticed a hidden upper tier of the falls so perhaps the total drop of this falls was a lot more than the reported 60ft main drop.

The first time we did this hike in 2001, we actually did it in a three-mile loop that took in the Valley View Overlook (of Big Sur Valley) as well as the waterfall itself.

However, on a separate visit in 2010, fire damage from 2009 wiped out the shorter less-than-one-mile round trip trail from the lodging area to the falls and back.

Big_Sur_State_Park_050_03192010 - The Big Sur Valley Overlook, which was on a spur trail branching off the Pfeiffer Falls Trail
The Big Sur Valley Overlook, which was on a spur trail branching off the Pfeiffer Falls Trail

Given the rather turbulent recent history with drought and fires, I’m sure this situation will remain in flux.

Pfeiffer Falls Trail Description

So on our most recent visit, we had no choice but to take the longer more hilly Valley View Overlook trail.

This made the hike about 1.6 miles round trip if we only did the waterfall (not counting the spur trail to the Valley View Overlook itself).

Fire damage had also affected the viewing area immediately at the Pfeiffer Falls itself as the adjacent hillsides had been de-stabilized.

Big_Sur_State_Park_005_03192010 - The signed trailhead to get up to Pfeiffer Falls, which was actually different from where we started on our first visit here back in 2001
The signed trailhead to get up to Pfeiffer Falls, which was actually different from where we started on our first visit here back in 2001

As a result, the wooden viewing platforms that were here when we last came here in 2001 were no longer there in 2010.

Yet despite the fire damage, there were still quite a bit of infrastructure, facilities, and amenities not to mention staff (from fee collectors to rescue workers to trail maintenance folks).

So perhaps the day use fee ($10 when we went in 2010, which was up from $7 when we went back in 2001) was being put to good use.

Anyways, the hike to the Pfeiffer Falls and back was mostly uphill and narrow in some stretches.

Big_Sur_State_Park_007_03192010 - Julie hiking up the longer trail to Pfeiffer Falls since the shorter trail had fire damage during our March 2010 visit
Julie hiking up the longer trail to Pfeiffer Falls since the shorter trail had fire damage during our March 2010 visit

There was a significant amount of poison oak along the trail so that was always on our minds both times we did this hike.

Indeed, we tried our best to stay on the trail and limit the amount of rubbing against the plant’s toxic oils.

Although we could’ve extended the amount of hiking to take in more of the La Ventana wilderness, we pretty much stuck to the trails involving only this waterfall and the Valley View Overlook.

So we can’t say more about where the other trails went and how they were like.

Authorities

Pfeiffer Falls resides in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park in Big Sur in Monterey County, California. It is administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information, questions, and current conditions, you can check out their website or Facebook page.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: big sur, monterey, bay area, central coast, california, waterfall, pfeiffer big sur, ventana



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.