Despite wildfire and fallen trees, this Big Sur favorite endures
If a tree falls in the forest and no one’s around, it may or may not make a sound. But if that same tree is ripped from the ground by a ferocious storm and falls through a bridge? There’s no mystery about what comes next—big-time structural damage.
That’s exactly what happened in January 2023, when a mature redwood crashed through an elegant 70-foot bridge along the popular Pfeiffer Falls Trail in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Now, after a two-year repair project—funded in part by Save the Redwoods League—the trail to Pfeiffer Falls is once again open.
Pfeiffer Falls is a classic Big Sur waterfall, splashing some 60 feet down a moss-carpeted rock face into a gravel streambed before tumbling on to meet the Big Sur River. The trail is a major draw for campers at the state park and day-trippers alike. The League is proud to have been part of restoring the trail. And not for the first time . . .
A trail with a history of comebacks
In 2008, the Basin Complex Fire swept through the state park, scorching much of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail and its infrastructure. Though tragic, the destruction created an opportunity to reimagine the route. In the years that followed, the League and California State Parks worked together to design and build a more resilient trail.
A key feature of the redesign was a new bridge over Pfeiffer-Redwood Creek. The old trail had led hikers directly through the creek—a refreshing wade on hot summer days, but hard on the fragile creekbed. The renovated trail kept much of the original path but climbed an adjoining ridge in a series of switchbacks, crossing the creek over the new bridge. The result was less erosion and more sweeping views of the redwood canyon below.
The redesigned trail and its new bridge opened in 2021 and stood as a success story born from the devastation of wildfire.
Then came the falling tree.
Teamwork, training, and ingenuity come together
When park staff discovered that a tree fell on the bridge following the 2023 storm, they were dismayed but ultimately relieved the giant hadn’t destroyed the whole span. Repairing a section would be much easier than rebuilding the entire bridge. But it was still far from simple.
Fortunately, the bridge was designed to include modular, lightweight sections resting on a sturdy steel trestle—and the damaged wooden planks and rails could be carried into the backcountry without heavy machinery.
To repair the damage, crews hauled bridge segments half a mile on foot, with State Parks staff using wilderness techniques—including one climber scaling 90 feet up a redwood to set cables to leverage pieces of the bridge into place.
Thanks to the grit of the State Parks repair team and support from League donors, the trail is open again, welcoming hikers back to Pfeiffer Falls.
Visiting Pfeiffer Falls
Pfeiffer Falls Trail is located in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (not to be confused with Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, 12 miles south). The trailhead begins near the rustic Big Sur Lodge. This 1.6-mile out-and-back hike climbs about 400 feet in elevation, with several stairways to help on the steeper sections. Summers can be hot and winters can be wet with muddy conditions, so plan ahead. Camping is also available in the park.
At a glance:
Distance: 1.6-mile round-trip
Elevation gain: 436 feet
Day-use fee: $10 per vehicle
Park campground: 189 tent and RV sites
Highway 1 closure: Closed approximately 17 miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park due to a landslide, with no clear re-opening date. Check CalTrans for current information.
