Big Falls Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 3.48 Miles

Submitted Trail Reports

Big Falls Trail Survey - 12-28-2020 - by J

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	12-28-2020
Surveyor Name:	J
Trail description:	Currently the waterfall is not flowing and the creek is low but still flowing
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	The BIG FALL The water slide. The valley.

Big Falls Trail Survey - 05-21-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Assocation

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	05-21-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Assocation
Trail description:	Read more for information on hiking to Big and Little Falls: Trail Quest: Santa Lucia Wilderness
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Big Falls Trail Survey - 03-05-2018 - by Mike Maki

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	03-05-2018
Surveyor Name:	Mike Maki
Trail description:	Hiked this downstream from Little Falls TH. Water was flowing but not much. For the most part I thought this trail was in good shape. Hiked as part of a section hike of the Condor Trail from Hwy 166 to 101. There was some poison oaks encroachment and ticks. I forgot to treat my pants with Permethrin and was constantly flicking them off as I passed by encroaching veg. Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Trail sign at bottom Lower Falls Good section of trail Infamous "Pool" First crossing at the top

Big Falls Trail Survey - 05-18-2017 - by Ryan Luis

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	05-18-2017
Surveyor Name:	Ryan Luis
Trail description:	Trail is in pretty good condition all the way to Big Falls. Creeks are very crossable without getting wet with a little rock hopping. Trail is overgrown with poison oak in areas from little falls to big falls and moderately overgrown from the bottom of Big Falls to the upper pools.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Pretty good condition to Big Falls, overgrown in areas

Big Falls Trail Survey - 02-11-2017 - by Timmy Puerling

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	02-11-2017
Surveyor Name:	Timmy Puerling
Trail description:	We took the Rinconada Trail to Big Falls Trail. All the streams were gushing with water, making the multiple creek crossings difficult.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Big Falls Trail Survey - 10-17-2016 - by Mike Splain

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	10-17-2016
Surveyor Name:	Mike Splain
Trail description:	Section- Trailhead on Lopez Creek Road to upper falls- There's some graffiti, trash & evidence of drunken gun play (sign damage, etc.) at the trailhead, the entire flat area near the gate could use a clean-up. Between the trailhead and the upper falls, there's a good amount of bottles, cans & scattered trash (including toilet paper) that needs cleaning up. The trail appears well-used with very little brushing or tread work needed, however, users have created "shortcuts" around 2 switchbacks that need to be decommissioned, a small amount of work would help to repair damaged tread and back slopes. Section- Upper falls to Hi Mountain Road-end- This section needs varying degrees of brushing, but tread is generally in good shape. There is evidence of recent motorcycle trespass near the Santa Lucia Wilderness sign & gun damage to the carsonite sign at the road-end. A metal reinforced gate, tank-traps, etc. at the road-end could be helpful in keeping motorcyclists off the trail.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Big Falls Trail Survey - 05-25-2015 - by Frank Kehl

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	05-25-2015
Surveyor Name:	Frank Kehl
Trail description:	We hiked this trail on Memorial Day, going as far as Upper Big Falls. This segment of the trail is clear and in excellent shape. Poison oak lines both sides of the trail in most places, but is easily avoided. Lower Big Falls is still flowing - barely. Upper Big Falls has stopped flowing altogether, although the pool at the base of the falls still has plenty of water.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Lower Big Falls from on the trail Pool at the base of Upper Big Falls (currently not flowing)

Big Falls Trail Survey - 05-02-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	05-02-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	VWR patrol report of the Big Falls trail.  Trail brushy and hard to follow.  Reports of recent hiker needing to be rescued.  Also reports of trash at the falls. Would be nice to have a more official report complete with photos and then organize a project to fix the trail.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Hard to follow

Big Falls Trail Survey - 03-21-2015 - by Nathan Claud

Link:	Big Falls Trail
Date:	03-21-2015
Surveyor Name:	Nathan Claud
Trail description:	Came down on trip from Rinconada to top of grade.  Trail was well maintained and poison oak was beat back pretty well.  The poison oak was a little harder to avoid at the top of the trail, but it can be done.  The water is mostly clear, but the flow is very low.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

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