Post Summit - Manuel Peak
13.1 miles     5000 ft
18 Feb 2012
Summary

A steep Big Sur hike in Andrew Molera State Park to two peaks. Great 360-degree views from Post Summit.

Location: Andrew Molera State Park

Elevation Profile
Trip Planning

Trail Maps

» National Geographic Map by a Meetup Group: (meetup.com login required to view) A high quality map outlining the entire ridge trail.

» Redwood Hikes Map: An excellent map by Dave Baselt. Thanks, Dave!

Route

Route in brief: Follow Cabezo Prieto Ridge Trail all the way to Post Summit and then to Manuel Peak (also known as Mount Manuel). Then retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Notes: The last one mile to Post Summit is exceptionally steep. Beyond Post Peak, a good trail map and route finding skills are necessary for some sections. A significantly long section (about 0.7 miles long) was highly overgrown in Feb 2012. We had to wade through bushes that were about eight feet high. So attempt this hike only if you are confident of being able to track the Cabezo Prieto Ridge trail using GPS or map and compass. Check Ventana Wilderness Trail Conditions Reports for planning this hike.

Trailhead

Location: Along CA-1, a quarter mile south of Andrew Molera park entrance . No street address. Parking area is visible in Google Maps if you zoom in sufficiently.

Directions: Andrew Molera is along CA-1 in Big Sur, 21.5 south of the shopping complex in Carmel at the intersection of Rio Road and CA-1. The trailhead for Cabezo Prieto Ridge is a quarter mile south of the park entrance. Going south, you would see sign like this. Going north, you would see sign like this.

Google Maps:

Parking Fees: None (last visited: February 2012)

Capacity: A few cars may be parked on the west side of CA-1 next to the trailhead. More roadside parking is available to the north.

Latitude: 36.284888     Longitude: -121.840332

To Post Summit

From the trail head to Post Summit along the ridge trail, there was one particularly steep section.

Post Summit to Manuel Peak

This section of the ridge trail was unmaintained and overgrown in Feb 2012. We were in over eight feet of brush at one point.

© Copyright 2008—2023, Gurmeet Manku.