Trail, shuttle service opens to public
For the first time since fierce winter storms destroyed a bridge, southern Big Sur is again opening to the public.
On Saturday, a steep half-mile trail across Pfeiffer Canyon — connecting the two segments of Big Sur severed by the downed Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge — will open to everyone. For months, access to the trail has been restricted to local residents and workers.
Once on the other side of the canyon, a shuttle will provide transit to Big Sur destinations. (Or you can walk along Highway 1.)
The half-mile “Community Bypass Trail” starts at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, closed for nearly a year due to last summer’s Soberanes Fire and last winter’s fierce winter storms — but open on Saturday. Picnic benches, campsites and restrooms were flooded and covered by mud.
Visitors access the trail by parking at Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
Visitors can also take a shuttle to Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park from Andrew Molera State Park. This is how it works: You park at Andrew Molera State Park and the so-called “North Shuttle” delivers you to the Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park store.
The “South Shuttle” will drop you off at sites along Highway 1.
“My grandmother always felt the Nepenthe property was too beautiful to keep to ourselves, so we are thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome back our guests who will have the first chance since the middle of February to visit Nepenthe — as well as to provide work for our employees who have been displaced for the last four months,” said Kirk Gafill, general manager of the restaurant Nepenthe.
There is a $10 fee to park at Andrew Molera State Park and an additional $5 fee to ride the shuttle. Children age 12 and younger are free. Each Shuttle ticket is valid for one person for one day of use.
The “Survice Shuttle,” as it’s called, will offer education about Big Sur’s history and environment, with a “Passbook” that features maps, trail information, a “locals story” and guidelines on treading lightly on the fragile coast.
Drivers of the Big Sur shuttle will share their own personal perspectives and stories that will personalize the education and lessons that are so crucial to the future survival of Big Sur.
For more information about the shuttle service, go to: https://www. surtransportation.com/the-big-surshuttle-survice/; for information about Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, go to: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_ id=570