Pfeiffer Falls - California Waterfalls; Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Big Sur-hike/trail/map/directions

Pfeiffer Redwood Creek has a small drainage, so Pfeiffer Falls is really only interesting after a lot of rain. However, I was somewhat surprised to find it flowing at all when we came here in Feb. 2007. We had not had any rain in California since mid December, and yet the waterfall was still flowing. I was only expecting a trickle at best. So it will probably be worth your while to see Pfeiffer Falls if you are in the area anytime from Dec-May.

The hike is a pretty one through a lovely Redwood forest, and it is easy. In fact, my 1 1/2 year old daughter made the hike all by herself (and back). I was very proud of her. It will probably be quite dark at the falls, so you will definitely need a tripod to take a good photo of it. The park is also quite popular, so it is recommended to arrive at the falls early in the morning.

As of summer of 2008, the easy trail to the waterfall has been closed. The only way to access it now is via the Valley View trail, which is a bit tougher (it is 3/4 mile one way and climbs 400 ft.). The reason for the closure is from the forest fire in 2008 that did a lot of damage to the trail. A sign indicates a new trail is being built, but it was supposed to be finished in 2012 and as of Jan 2013 it is still not completed.

Also worth noting is the upper falls. You can see them easily enough from the lower falls, though it is not so easy for taking a photo. They are immediately above the lower falls and about the same height (and indeed, they have the same segmented form as well). Since they are immediately above the lower falls, I consider this to be one single (tiered) waterfall, not two separate waterfalls. I think it would be easy enough to get up to them, however signs indicate it is not allowed.

2 Miles ESE Big Sur CA (Elev. 2103 ft)

Overnight
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. West southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Saturday
Rain likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming west southwest 5 to 8 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday
Rain likely, mainly after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain. High near 58. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain. Low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Tuesday
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Tuesday Night
Rain likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Wednesday
A chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.
Wednesday Night
A slight chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Thanksgiving Day
A slight chance of rain. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.