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
Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 50. South southeast wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Thursday
A 10 percent chance of rain before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60. South southeast wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.
Thursday Night
A slight chance of rain before 4am, then a chance of showers after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. South southeast wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Friday
Showers, mainly after 10am. High near 60. South southeast wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday Night
Showers. Low around 50. South wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Saturday
Showers likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Showers likely, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Monday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Monday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Tuesday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Tuesday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.