I said to Anne a couple days ago that it was too bad we weren’t finding time to do any hiking. Well, for our rest day, we explored the trails on offer in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Hiking with a two-year-old has its unique set of challenges.

After breakfast, we set off on the Pfeiffer Falls Trail, which goes through the forest and up the hill. The trail was well marked. The surface was a dusty dirt, which varied from wooden steps to rocky inclines to narrow channels. The kids both walked up the whole way to the fork, where we took the spur back down to Pfeiffer Falls. Max managed to get himself pretty dirty as he stopped to pick up sticks and examine rocks. He also slipped a few times on the tricky bits.

Once at the Falls, we enjoyed a wooden bridge across the river, giving us a nice head-on view of the waterfall. Then a few more steps up, and we got a more direct view. The waterfall may not be the largest I’ve seen, but it was a lovely destination. Several people failed to notice the dozens of “stay on the trail” signs and climbed down into the waterfall basin. Besides potentially damaging habitat, it wasn’t improving the view for others.

Anne put Max on her back for the climb back up to the fork, which we took up for the view of the valley below. It brought us above the thick forest and into bushier territory. That meant we had less shade. Still, it brought us to a nice view of the valley and road from a couple hundred feet up. Ruth was concerned that the final vista point had no fence or anything, and refused to come out.

Then back down to the lodge. I was carrying our lunch, but we decided to just finish the hike. There were a few plausible places, but nothing that would have been great. Strangely, between going downhill, and Max being on Anne’s back, it was a lot faster to get back. All told, something like 2.5 miles round-trip.

So we got back to the cabins, and ate at a table near the pool. The sandwiches for sale at the lodge were meh, so tomorrow we’ll try to find something else after leaving.

Then it was pool time to cool off. Max is getting more and more comfortable in the pool. This one had a little seat which was just the right height for him to climb in and out of.

Next, we went for a second hike, although this one was less strenuous. We saw a nature trail with numbered posts last night, but couldn’t find the pamphlet that went with it. So we decided to start at the other end and try our luck. First, we caulked the wagon and forded the river, and fortunately didn’t lose any supplies. The crossing had concrete platforms running parallel to the riverbank, which made it pretty easy to cross. Then we took the Warden’s Trail past the campground and to the start of the Nature Trail.

We passed the hike/bike camping area, and saw a number of touring cyclists set up. I suppose one downside to doing the hotel thing is that we don’t get the community aspect in the evening. I still like showers, though.

The Nature Trail indeed had pamphlets, so we took the self guided tour, and learned about the various plants and distinct habitats just within the half mile trail. Then we found the box the pamphlets were supposed to be in on the close side, and left ours there. At least one group can have a guide.

At dinner, we saw the support vehicle for a supported bike tour arrive at the lodge and arrange for dinner at the restaurant. We were done before the group came, but maybe we’ll see them in the morning.

Tomorrow we get our second climbiest day of the trip, but relatively short in the mileage department. It looks like it’ll be hot enough to be interesting. We’ll be sure to carry plenty of water.