×
Nighttime Soberanes Wildfire
in NO BACKCOUNTRY FIRES season
Black Butte Pano photo
to find your own adventure
Printed map screenshot
the print/PDF/Garmin maps ...
Metrics calculation screenshot Route metrics control
the route planning tools ...
Trail Conditions screenshot Trail Conditions legend
the trail conditions map ...
Interactive map screnshot Interactive map control
USE the interactive map ...


Trails, Camps, Water Sources, and Points of Interest
for Ventana/SilverPeak wilderness explorers

Get up-to-date local trail knowledge!  Trail and camp info can be incorrect on online maps of the Big Sur Ventana & Silver Peak wilderness areas. 
[User experiences+testimonials]
  Big Sur Trailmap provides accurate trail and camp locations based on local knowledge (GPS'd), also locally-known "use trails", seasonal water sources, waterfalls, and other features in Big Sur state parks and wilderness areas.  Plus current wilderness and state park trail conditions and closures.  Created by a Big Sur explorer, updated weekly from local reports.
[Aiding coast+inland hikers since 2010] 

Been here ?
(click for larger images)
      "Experience nature in the wild"         "The wild is still there, just off a trail"            "Find your own adventure"        

Wilderness hikers
"A line on a map is just a line on a map"
Big Sur wilderness trails are not park‑like trails !
Some trail segments not signed or passable or followable ! 
Know the current trail conditions ! 
Trail maintenance in National Forest is by VWA trail crew, not USFS
Last VWA volunteer trailcrew outing:  Jul 4  (21 attended)  
0% 
 ImpassableState-of-the-TrailsClear 
 100%
"State-of-the-Trails" = 71%    "Clear" = 108 miles (34% of network)    History
The trails need YOU
Smokey Bear
Help maintain the trails
 


CURRENT
STATUS
stove  Level 2 fire restrictions 
No backcountry fires in National Forest.  Stoves OK (with permit).  Fires allowed in designated campgrounds. 
Close Rte.1 Big Sur full closure
 CalTrans Map (IS on trailmap) Details

Regional Weather Forecast
   Point Weather Forecast   
Big Sur River Current Flow 

CLOSURE INFO
Trails & Roads
USFS & State Parks
LATEST TRAIL REPORTS
24 updates in last 60 days
Latest below, click for all
May.30   Pine Ridge Trail

TRAIL NEWS
15 items in last 60 days
filled by index.html js
Jun.27  Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.29-30…
from 10pm Jun.29 to 6am Jun.30 More Info
Jun.26  Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
Jun.21  Rocky Creek Trail opened…
in Arroyo Seco Day Use Area (closed since Jan.2023)
Jun.19  JP Burns SP to close June 20…
from 8 am to 3 pm for trail work
Jun.18  USFS Fire Restrictions raised to Level 2…
No campfires outside designated campgrounds, i.e. not in backcountry
Jun.16  Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.22-23…
from 10pm Jun.22 to 6am Jun.23 More Info
Jun.12  Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 3 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
Jun.5    Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
Jun.5    Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.8-9…
from 10pm Jun.8 to 6am Jun.9 More Info
May 30  Bear Basin Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 3 days
May 29  Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.1-2…
from 10pm Jun.1 to 6am Jun.2 More Info
May 23  Santa Lucia Tr. Trailwork…
: 6 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
May 18  Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 2 days
May 12  Rte.1 24hr closure May 16-17…
at Rocky Creek from 10PM May 16 to 10PM May 17
May 10  Boronda Tr. Trailwork…
: 6 VWA volunteers worked 1 day
  Older than 60 days  

SITE NEWS
5 items in last 60 days
filled by index.html js
Jun.28  Arroyo Seco flow measurement (Green Bridge) gone…
Found missing since Apr.30 - so no new data for Arroyo Seco River Conditions webpage
Jun.26  Fixed Route Metrics 'Printable PDF Map'
Jun.10  Fixed Google Earth network link download
May 16  Fixed Route Metrics
May 11  Updated placenames database
  Older than 60 days  

Latest forum post: 
De Angulo Trail
Latest blog post: 
Finding the Mount Manuel Trail - Hike 2

Wanted:  Gpx track of Lost Valley Trail, Upper Higgins to Pelon Camp   More Info

Hiking info for Big Sur
Places to visit & Things to see
in Big Sur wilderness areas
Cool Grin Backpacking suggestions
and Route Photomaps
Off-trail hiking
in Big Sur wilderness areas
Notable Routes on/off-trail
Sykes Camp and Hot Spring
info and maps
Large printed maps for Big Sur
Choosing and Using a GPS

Search this website [Finds words in webpages]

Find a Big Sur place name Trails, camps, USGS names
Gives map & description

Download GPX files for trails,
camps, & water sources Personal-use-only (copyright)
Not for sharing on public site
such as AllTrails or OpenStreetMap or non-private CalTopo

GoogleEarth overlays & GoogleEarth usage tips Big Sur Trailmap, USGS
topo, wilderness areas, …

Display map at known locator Lat/Lon OR UTM OR
Section/Township/Range

Create an interactive map link
for your route or location

Display Trailmap legend [what icons & line colors show]

Trailmap contributors [have given time or information]

Trailmap user experiences
& testimonials [culled from other websites]


Ventana Wilderness Alliance
(VWA) Forums
VWA Trailcrew Outings
USFS Monterey Ranger District
Andrew Molera State Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Limekiln State Park
Pfeiffer Beach Day Use Area
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
My Big Sur Map Collection
(with historic trail maps)
Double Cone Register
(historic articles)
My Monterey County
Map Collection


Hiking info for Big Sur
Places to visit & Things to see
in Big Sur wilderness areas
Cool Grin Backpacking suggestions
and Route Photomaps
Off-trail hiking
in Big Sur wilderness areas
Notable Routes on/off-trail
Sykes Camp and Hot Spring
info and maps
Large printed maps for Big Sur
Choosing and Using a GPS

Search this website [Finds words in webpages]

Find a Big Sur place name Trails, camps, USGS names
Gives map & description

Download GPX files for trails,
camps, & water sources Personal-use-only (copyright)
Not for sharing on public site
such as AllTrails or OpenStreetMap or non-private CalTopo

GoogleEarth overlays & GoogleEarth usage tips Big Sur Trailmap, USGS
topo, wilderness areas, …

Display map at known locator Lat/Lon OR UTM OR
Section/Township/Range

Create an interactive map link
for your route or location

Display Trailmap legend [what icons & line colors show]

Trailmap contributors [have given time or information]

Trailmap user experiences
& testimonials [culled from other websites]


Ventana Wilderness Alliance
(VWA) Forums
VWA Trailcrew Outings
USFS Monterey Ranger District
Andrew Molera State Park
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Limekiln State Park
Pfeiffer Beach Day Use Area
Big Sur Chamber of Commerce
My Big Sur Map Collection
(with historic trail maps)
Double Cone Register
(historic articles)
My Monterey County
Map Collection

CURRENT
STATUS
stove  Level 2 fire restrictions 
No backcountry fires in National Forest.  Stoves OK (with permit).  Fires allowed in designated campgrounds. 
Close Rte.1 Big Sur full closure
 CalTrans Map (IS on trailmap) Details

Regional Weather Forecast
   Point Weather Forecast   
Big Sur River Current Flow 

CLOSURE INFO
Trails & Roads
USFS & State Parks
LATEST TRAIL REPORTS
24 updates in last 60 days
Latest below, click for all
May.30   Pine Ridge Trail

TRAIL NEWS
15 items in last 60 days
filled by index.html js
Jun.27  Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.29-30…
from 10pm Jun.29 to 6am Jun.30 More Info
Jun.26  Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
Jun.21  Rocky Creek Trail opened…
in Arroyo Seco Day Use Area (closed since Jan.2023)
Jun.19  JP Burns SP to close June 20…
from 8 am to 3 pm for trail work
Jun.18  USFS Fire Restrictions raised to Level 2…
No campfires outside designated campgrounds, i.e. not in backcountry
Jun.16  Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.22-23…
from 10pm Jun.22 to 6am Jun.23 More Info
Jun.12  Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 3 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
Jun.5    Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
Jun.5    Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.8-9…
from 10pm Jun.8 to 6am Jun.9 More Info
May 30  Bear Basin Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 3 days
May 29  Rte.1 overnight closure at Rocky Creek Bridge : Jun.1-2…
from 10pm Jun.1 to 6am Jun.2 More Info
May 23  Santa Lucia Tr. Trailwork…
: 6 VWA volunteers worked 4 days
May 18  Marble Peak Tr. Trailwork…
: 2 VWA volunteers worked 2 days
May 12  Rte.1 24hr closure May 16-17…
at Rocky Creek from 10PM May 16 to 10PM May 17
May 10  Boronda Tr. Trailwork…
: 6 VWA volunteers worked 1 day
  Older than 60 days  

SITE NEWS
5 items in last 60 days
filled by index.html js
Jun.28  Arroyo Seco flow measurement (Green Bridge) gone…
Found missing since Apr.30 - so no new data for Arroyo Seco River Conditions webpage
Jun.26  Fixed Route Metrics 'Printable PDF Map'
Jun.10  Fixed Google Earth network link download
May 16  Fixed Route Metrics
May 11  Updated placenames database
  Older than 60 days  

Latest forum post: 
Latest blog post: 

Wanted:  Gpx track of Lost Valley Trail, Upper Higgins to Pelon Camp   More Info
Trail conditions/closures
are shown on:
Interactive Big Sur Trailmap
Interactive Trail Conditions map
Interactive Route Metrics map
Google Earth overlay
are optionally shown on:
Printed maps
PDF-format maps
are not shown on:
Garmin-format maps
Smartphone map tiles


View the interactive
Big Sur Trailmap
Interactive map
Interactive Trailmap
Cool Grin
   Trails, Camps, POIs, ...
shaded topo gives context
[map updated: Jul 6]
View the interactive
trail conditions map
Trail Conditions
Trail Conditions Map
Cool Grin
Colors show trail
conditions and closures
[conditions updated: Jul 6 ]
Compute route metrics
between two locations 
Route Metrics
Trailmap Metrics
Cool Grin
For mileage &
cumulative gain+loss
[routing updated: Jul 6]
Download one-page
printable Trailmap sections
Printed page
Printed Trailmap
PDF with options for
background & trail condition
[maps updated: Jul 3]
Download a PDF-format
Trailmap for a smartphone
Avenza
Avenza screenshot
For Avenza, can add
searchable "Features" layer
[pdf updated: Jul 2]
Use the Trailmap in a
smartphone GPS app
Smartphone
BackcounryNavigator GPS app screenshot
Multiple options available,
depending upon the app
 
Download a Garmin-format
Trailmap for a GPS
Garmin GPS
Garmin Trailmap
Routable, so along-trail
distance-to-go known
[files updated: Jul 2]
Download a "Google
Earth" Trailmap
Google Earth
GoogleEarth Trailmap
Display trailmap line/icon
overlay on 3-D terrain
[kmz updated: Jul 6]

Trail conditions/closures
are shown on:
Interactive Big Sur Trailmap
Interactive Trail Conditions map
Interactive Route Metrics map
Google Earth overlay
are optionally shown on:
Printed maps
PDF-format maps
are not shown on:
Garmin-format maps
Smartphone map tiles


Jack Glendening (credit:p.danielson)
 Jack Glendening 

AddressImage
Home page BLOG Bona fides
   
Latest blog post:
 
Finding the Mount Manuel Trail - Hike 2
In memoriam:  Paul Danielson

If you have something to contribute or find an error,
( problems don't get fixed if not reported ! )
please post to my forum.
Big Sur Trailmap FORUM
OR
in a webpage's "Comments" section 
OR
email: AddressImage
Trailmap improvements help other hikers and will be credited
(and builds good trail karma)
Trailmap Contributors Contributors

Feedback
I welcome feedback about the info on this website at the Big Sur Trailmap Forum, which being public can also benefit others.  I am not a personal trip advisor so do not provide individual trip guidance.  If the info here is not sufficient for your planning or if you want personal trip guidance, please use the VWA Discussion Forum, which is read by many Big Sur hikers.

Disclaimer
Big Sur Trailmap and its webpages created as a public service by Jack Glendening, with all costs paid by him (no ads!).  The information is provided 'as is', without warranty of any kind - it is believed the best available but can contain errors. 

The information and data on this website are copyrighted by John W. (Jack) Glendening.  You may search, view, download and print the documents contained on this site for personal non-commercial purposes.  Public use of site data must be attributed to Jack Glendening, not be presented as being the work of someone who has copied it from this site instead of doing the actual field work themselves.  In particular, copyright information is not to be removed from data and data is not to be placed on public websites such as Open Street Map or All Trails. 
Data License

Photo credits
Photos from Jack Glendening, Paul Danielson, Maria Ferdin, Betsy MacGowan, Jim Ringland, Leor Pantilat, Hillary Trout, Paul David Tuff, Nathan Kistler, Amanda Sevall, Perry Way, Brett Pall, and anonymously from the web.  Jim Ringland's photos are under the CC‑BY‑NC‑4 license.

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