Big Sur River Conditions

Measuring Gauge Flow on Oct. 3 at 4:00 AM =  18.2 cfps 
Upstream Big Sur River crossings reportedly difficult with flow above 100 cfps
and potentially hazardous with flow above 200 cfps

CROSSING REPORTS
Your capabilities must determine whether a crossing is attempted !
These reports from hikers of varying capability are only planning guidelines.

Help others in the hiking community by reporting your experience,
submitting a VWA Trail Report or Big Sur Trailmap forum post.
(Not limited to Big Sur River reports, since other streams change similarly.)
Gauge
    Flow    
Big Sur River
Crossings
Report
350 cfsWaist deep at Barlow Flat Camp crossingMar.9,2024
~~270 cfsWaist deep at Sykes Camp crossingFeb.27,2024
215 cfsMid-thigh at Barlow Flat Camp western crossing, trickyMar.16,2024
215 cfsKnee deep at Barlow Flat Camp eastern crossing, easierMar.16,2024
190 cfsKnee to mid-thigh at Barlow Flat Camp crossingFeb.16,2024
180 cfsWaist deep at Sykes Camp crossingMar.23,2024
160 cfsKnee deep at Barlow Flat Camp crossingMar.26,2024
160 cfsWaist deep at Sykes Camp crossingMar.26,2024
Gauge
    Flow    
South Fork - Big Sur River
Crossings
Report
>500-600 cfsHazardousExperience
Leor Pantilat
>350 cfsDifficultExperience
Leor Pantilat
215 cfsShin to Knee deep at South Fork Trail crossings, not difficultMar.16,2024
Scott Frake
Will add more if data becomes available


Measuring Gauge Flow for last 14 days
(note non-linear vertical scale)
Measuring Gauge Location
USGS image should appear shortly - if not, please report to bigsurtrailmap@gmail.com

For USGS interactive plot and data



Jack Glendening (credit:p.danielson)
 Jack Glendening 
AddressImage