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 47. South southwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. West southwest wind 7 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday Night
Rain likely, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. West northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Tuesday
Rain. High near 50. West northwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night
A 50 percent chance of rain, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41. Breezy, with a northwest wind 17 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 53.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 41.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 60.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 63.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.