Many state park trails were "closed" at the time of the 2016 Soberanes wildfire, for precautionary and public safety reasons - but many of those have not been re-opened even though the fire never reached those trails!  While some "closed" state park trails do indeed have difficult or hazardous trail conditions warranting their closure, I've been getting reports that other "closed" state park trails are very hikeable and seem "closed" only for bureaucratic reasons, not for safety reasons.  Specifically, I've received the following reports about "closed" state park trails - but note that the hikes into these trails were illegal and the hikers took upon themselves responsibility for safely negotiating the trail; presumably they were familiar with the trail, knew what they were doing, and were careful!

Updated: Aug 17, 2024  

Andrew Molera State Park
The 2016 Soberanes Wildfire did not reach any park trail, only the ridge above it.  During winter 2016-2017, overflow from the Big Sur River flooded the Beach, River, and Headlands Trails.

Hidden Trail 
Hikeable [Dec.2017] - but much long-term erosion due to steep gradient.
River Trail 
Hikeable [Dec.2017] - but rock strewn and some erosion. 
Beach Trail 
Not hikeable [Dec.2017] - much erosion and downfall from Big Sur overflow. 

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
The 2016 Soberanes Wildfire did not reach any park trail, only the ridge above the park.

Ewoldsen Loop Trail 
Very Hikeable [Dec.2017] - minor slides and downfall - for the few that require circumvention, follow previous hiker routes.  NO large trees on the trail.  Western half more easily hikeable than eastern half.