Date Hiked: July 5, 2026
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Reporting here for full circuit: East Molera - Post Summit - Cabezo Prieto - Manuel, Big Sur Station (car shuttle back to trail head). 14 miles and around 4000 ft total rise.
Not sure why Post summit is "use trail." It seems no different from East Molera trail.
Trail not well defined at places between Post Summit and Manuel Peak, but going was easy. Had to push through brush just in just a couple places and crawl under a thick tree at one point, but definitely possible. The trail to Vado camp was not clear at all - may have seen it, but it was not our goal.
At Manuel, the trail down left (East) was missed and we took the ridge all the way down to where the trail curves back around above Big Sur River at around 2300'. Not bad going, a bit steep at times.
Extraordinary vistas for the nearly the entire circuit. Highly recommended.
[Ed=gn: East Molera Trail is an official State Park trail. The section that continues to Post Summit and the USFS land is not official trail. ]
Andrew Molera SP: East Molera Trail
Re: Andrew Molera SP: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: January 18, 2026
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Section: First 3 miles from Highway 1
Tread is in good condition and only a few short brushy sections with no poison oak encroaching. No downed trees. The steep sections would probably be pretty slippery when wet.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Section: First 3 miles from Highway 1
Tread is in good condition and only a few short brushy sections with no poison oak encroaching. No downed trees. The steep sections would probably be pretty slippery when wet.
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geoffvirtue
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:10 pm
Re: Andrew Molera SP: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: May 31, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Wilderness Freeway all the way up to the oaks that give you a beautiful view and frame of Pico Blanco. Grabbed a couple ticks on the way up, so keep an eye out.
Very few ticks after the oak trees of East Molera trail and none in golden staircase, though there is a nice patch of waist high grass after the oaks. There was a lot of overgrowth on the final push from the picnic table/scenic overlook to the peak on our way up and I would rate that section as difficult due to tread erosion and the steepness.
Note: There is off trail water on the way up but it is difficult to access. Water is flowing at the Golden Stairs Spring in the Redwoods about 1/3rd of the way through the Golden Staircase. Follow the sound of the flowing water once you get to the upper part of the redwoods. Very steep and inaccessible for the water - we went south from the trail to get to it and had to do a fair bit of steep downward descent off trail. If not filling up here, carry at least 5 liters per person as there is no other water and it's very exposed.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Wilderness Freeway all the way up to the oaks that give you a beautiful view and frame of Pico Blanco. Grabbed a couple ticks on the way up, so keep an eye out.
Very few ticks after the oak trees of East Molera trail and none in golden staircase, though there is a nice patch of waist high grass after the oaks. There was a lot of overgrowth on the final push from the picnic table/scenic overlook to the peak on our way up and I would rate that section as difficult due to tread erosion and the steepness.
Note: There is off trail water on the way up but it is difficult to access. Water is flowing at the Golden Stairs Spring in the Redwoods about 1/3rd of the way through the Golden Staircase. Follow the sound of the flowing water once you get to the upper part of the redwoods. Very steep and inaccessible for the water - we went south from the trail to get to it and had to do a fair bit of steep downward descent off trail. If not filling up here, carry at least 5 liters per person as there is no other water and it's very exposed.
Andrew Molera SP: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: December 31, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
What better way to spend a clear and cool New Years Eve Day than to hike up the East Molera Trail and then continue along the Golden Staircase and the upper ridges to Post Summit!? I will report on the whole route.
1. East Molera Trail to Redwood Grove
The conditions of the East Molera Trail up to the Redwood Grove are a combination of Wilderness Freeway and Clear.
The lower part as you wind through the redwood forest near the highway and then climb towards the foot of the hillside is relatively freshly graded and Wilderness Freeway.
The long (and sometimes steep) switchback going left along the hillside is mostly Wilderness Freeway with a few spots of encroaching brush and slippery and steep loose rocks/gravel.
The shorter switchback back to the right which gets you up to the Redwood Grove is a combination of Wilderness Freeway and Clear due to sometimes encroaching brush.
2. Golden Staircase and Beyond to Post Summit
The Golden Staircase was relatively golden with some green coming in. The track itself is clear and easy to follow, definitely Wilderness Freeway. Even though I've done this many times, I always forget how much "down" there is through various saddles as you go "up" the Golden Staircase (all of that down becomes up on your way back!).
[As you approach the last grassy peaklet at the end of the Golden Staircase (where you turn 90 degrees left to cross the low saddle between the Little Sur and Big Sur drainages), although the "official" route takes you up to that peaklet, I always turn off on one of the prominent sidehill tracks which shortcuts you to the saddle crossing track because hey, there's plenty of elevation gain on this hike without going to the top of that peaklet]
The saddle crossing and the steep climb up to the Post Summit Ridge is Passable to Clear (no encroaching brush but lots of erosion due to steepness so there are numerous steep and slippery sections, more problematic when heading down than going up).
The Post Summit Ridge up to the summit starts out as Passable to Clear but the final climb to where the summit is is rated Difficult to Passable due to steepness and poor tread resulting from very loose rocks and gravel (especially difficult on the way down).
Once you get to the summit, a lot of brush has grown in, you need to go past the summit on the right side and the brush is high and thick and the track is visible but you must squeeze through much of it. There were times when there was very little heavy brush here and you could go straight up onto the summit as you approached or even go up onto it from a few spots along the right side, but the brush is too heavy for that now. Currently, it is best to go past the summit until you are on the far side and the turn back towards it and head up on the right where there are a couple of gaps in the brush and a not-so-step climb up the rocks piled up on the face of the summit to the top.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
What better way to spend a clear and cool New Years Eve Day than to hike up the East Molera Trail and then continue along the Golden Staircase and the upper ridges to Post Summit!? I will report on the whole route.
1. East Molera Trail to Redwood Grove
The conditions of the East Molera Trail up to the Redwood Grove are a combination of Wilderness Freeway and Clear.
The lower part as you wind through the redwood forest near the highway and then climb towards the foot of the hillside is relatively freshly graded and Wilderness Freeway.
The long (and sometimes steep) switchback going left along the hillside is mostly Wilderness Freeway with a few spots of encroaching brush and slippery and steep loose rocks/gravel.
The shorter switchback back to the right which gets you up to the Redwood Grove is a combination of Wilderness Freeway and Clear due to sometimes encroaching brush.
2. Golden Staircase and Beyond to Post Summit
The Golden Staircase was relatively golden with some green coming in. The track itself is clear and easy to follow, definitely Wilderness Freeway. Even though I've done this many times, I always forget how much "down" there is through various saddles as you go "up" the Golden Staircase (all of that down becomes up on your way back!).
[As you approach the last grassy peaklet at the end of the Golden Staircase (where you turn 90 degrees left to cross the low saddle between the Little Sur and Big Sur drainages), although the "official" route takes you up to that peaklet, I always turn off on one of the prominent sidehill tracks which shortcuts you to the saddle crossing track because hey, there's plenty of elevation gain on this hike without going to the top of that peaklet]
The saddle crossing and the steep climb up to the Post Summit Ridge is Passable to Clear (no encroaching brush but lots of erosion due to steepness so there are numerous steep and slippery sections, more problematic when heading down than going up).
The Post Summit Ridge up to the summit starts out as Passable to Clear but the final climb to where the summit is is rated Difficult to Passable due to steepness and poor tread resulting from very loose rocks and gravel (especially difficult on the way down).
Once you get to the summit, a lot of brush has grown in, you need to go past the summit on the right side and the brush is high and thick and the track is visible but you must squeeze through much of it. There were times when there was very little heavy brush here and you could go straight up onto the summit as you approached or even go up onto it from a few spots along the right side, but the brush is too heavy for that now. Currently, it is best to go past the summit until you are on the far side and the turn back towards it and head up on the right where there are a couple of gaps in the brush and a not-so-step climb up the rocks piled up on the face of the summit to the top.
Re: Andrew Molera State Park: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: May 27, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Nice road for 1 mile, single track after as previously described. When you get up to the ridge, the trail has some grass encroaching on it, perfect for collecting ticks unfortunately. The last half mile up to post summit has some bushes but is quite clear. We also went out to Andrew Molara peak where the trail really doesn't exist anymore, as one would expect if looking at some maps. There's hints here or there but it is quite difficult and feels impassable for the most part while you're pushing through the brush out to Molera. Overall, beautiful wildflowers of all kinds especially in the upper regions and even saw a couple of Blainville's Horned Lizards along the way! Incredible views all the way!
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Nice road for 1 mile, single track after as previously described. When you get up to the ridge, the trail has some grass encroaching on it, perfect for collecting ticks unfortunately. The last half mile up to post summit has some bushes but is quite clear. We also went out to Andrew Molara peak where the trail really doesn't exist anymore, as one would expect if looking at some maps. There's hints here or there but it is quite difficult and feels impassable for the most part while you're pushing through the brush out to Molera. Overall, beautiful wildflowers of all kinds especially in the upper regions and even saw a couple of Blainville's Horned Lizards along the way! Incredible views all the way!
Re: Andrew Molera State Park: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: December 10, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Trail is in pretty good condition. Pretty much a dirt road for the first mile, then just good singletrack for the next 3 (with one or two 100 meter sections of slight brush). The last ~0.5 miles to Post Summit gets decently brushy, but it's still easy to follow the trail. There are some steep pitches but nothing too crazy.
Super super beautiful views of the ocean and Pico Blanco for most of the way up. At the summit you get more views north to Cone Peak and east to VDC (although just barely above Kandlbinder).
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Trail is in pretty good condition. Pretty much a dirt road for the first mile, then just good singletrack for the next 3 (with one or two 100 meter sections of slight brush). The last ~0.5 miles to Post Summit gets decently brushy, but it's still easy to follow the trail. There are some steep pitches but nothing too crazy.
Super super beautiful views of the ocean and Pico Blanco for most of the way up. At the summit you get more views north to Cone Peak and east to VDC (although just barely above Kandlbinder).
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K Vandevere
- Posts: 297
- Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:50 pm
Re: Andrew Molera State Park: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: February 21, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
This trail is clear and obvious with very little encroaching vegetation and no deadfalls or washouts. The first couple of miles are clearly getting a lot of use. The final stretch to Post Summit involves pushing through knee to waist high deerweed, so should probably be considered only "passable." The only real challenge is the steepness of the grade. If that doesn't bother you, this very soft, very easily passed through vegetation certainly won't.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
This trail is clear and obvious with very little encroaching vegetation and no deadfalls or washouts. The first couple of miles are clearly getting a lot of use. The final stretch to Post Summit involves pushing through knee to waist high deerweed, so should probably be considered only "passable." The only real challenge is the steepness of the grade. If that doesn't bother you, this very soft, very easily passed through vegetation certainly won't.
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waynez
Re: Andrew Molera State Park: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: August 10, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined) Really worried. Part of the trail has eroded in places on the first mile. A rain storm may cause the trail to erode away in places where the trail then would have to be closed.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined) Really worried. Part of the trail has eroded in places on the first mile. A rain storm may cause the trail to erode away in places where the trail then would have to be closed.
Re: Andrew Molera State Park: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: June 3, 2020
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Hiked into LPNF to post summit and camped on the hill just below. The first few switchbacks in the beginning are loaded with ticks and closer to the saddle we witnessed a 4 foot rattlesnake cross the trail and get into striking position. No on-trail water along this stretch. Bushes are encroaching there are a few spots with PO in the trail.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Hiked into LPNF to post summit and camped on the hill just below. The first few switchbacks in the beginning are loaded with ticks and closer to the saddle we witnessed a 4 foot rattlesnake cross the trail and get into striking position. No on-trail water along this stretch. Bushes are encroaching there are a few spots with PO in the trail.
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Erik
Re: Andrew Molera State Park: East Molera Trail
Date Hiked: February 17, 2020
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
The trail was clear single track up to the redwood grove. Once past there it was a single track wilderness freeway until the dozer line to the Post summit. The trail condition deteriorated to difficult at that point. The trail was evident but the tread became very loose and difficult to gain a steady foothold in some of the steeper sections. Once up to the Post summit the trail was overgrown but followable. Vegetation was encroaching on the trail but seldom reached more than two feet in height. Long pants are definitely recommended for this section.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
The trail was clear single track up to the redwood grove. Once past there it was a single track wilderness freeway until the dozer line to the Post summit. The trail condition deteriorated to difficult at that point. The trail was evident but the tread became very loose and difficult to gain a steady foothold in some of the steeper sections. Once up to the Post summit the trail was overgrown but followable. Vegetation was encroaching on the trail but seldom reached more than two feet in height. Long pants are definitely recommended for this section.
