Hike the East Molera Trail
Details
Distance
3.2 miles
Elevation Gain
1390 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Added by Heidi
Located in the heart of Big Sur, the East Molera Trail is the perfect quiet afternoon hike that offers mountains, redwoods, and plenty of sun.
Housed in Andrew Molera State Park, the East Molera Trail is easily accessible from Highway 1 with parking and restrooms available to hikers. A $10.00 entry fee is required but also provides entrance to Pfieffer Big Sur State Park just a few miles down the road.
The trail head is located east of the parking lot and provides a walking tunnel beneath Highway 1 that hooks into the trail. Once you hit East Molera it is 2.5 miles of fairly steep hiking along some loose gravel and dirt trails at times only wide enough for one person.
You know you have reached the top when you arrive at a small redwood grove that provides a perfect stopping point for lunch and offers an incredible view of Pico Blanco. The trail is very quiet and does not draw the same level of crowds as some of the others at Andrew Molera. You should note that the trail does have both poison ivy and poison oak and as the path narrows at many points you will need to be careful to avoid them.
Trail map can be found at: http://www.redwoodhikes.com/BigSur/EastMolera.html
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Details
Distance
3.2 miles
Elevation Gain
1390 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Leave No Trace
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