Hiking to Tassajara from Arroyo Seco

[Betsy M]

The Horsepasture Trail may not have any water at all, after you cross Tassajara Creek. There is a seep near the actual Horsepasture, with Woodwardia ferns, so there is some water. But this water dries up at the surface and can be very difficult to collect.

The Tony Trail route has 15 crossings of Willow Creek, plus several side creeks. If you end up doing an overnight, it's worth hiking an extra 0.4 miles past the Tony Trail junction to camp at Willow Springs Camp. There's more space to spread out, you can camp without being surrounded by poison oak, and there's a toilet.

The Tony Trail will not have any water, so take what you will need.

[Saszquatch]

Thank you both for your replies and advice!
Our plan is to park in Jamesburg, then get a ride to Arroyo Seco. I've arranged a ride already. From there, we'll hike one way and take the stagecoach back to Jamesburg.

That's helpful information about the poison oak. Could you tell me if one trail offers better access to water or more shade than the other? We're planning to bring plenty of water and rest during the hottest part of the day.

Although we are experienced hikers and backpackers who could complete the hike in a single day, we're thinking about extending it to two days and camping overnight. The bigsurtrailmap.net is an excellent resource, thanks!

[Betsy M]

Not sure what you are planning. Park at Arroyo Seco, hike to Tassajara, and return to Arroyo Seco? Hike one way? Someone drops you off at Arroyo Seco, or you return later and pick up your car? Parking is free for hikers.

The two options are to take the Horsepasture Trail, or the Tony Trail.

Taking the Horsepasture Trail is 7.5 miles with 2400 feet elevation gain.

Taking the Tony Trail is 9.4 miles with 2800 feet elevation gain.

Both options are good, but there is lots of poison oak encroaching in the first ~3 miles so you should wear long pants and be prepared. Check bigsurtrailmap.net for a good map which you can download to your mapping program. If you take the Horsepasture Trail look for the sign leaving the Marble Peak Trail, and then the sign for the Horsepasture Cutoff down to Tassajara Creek, and take the Narrows Trail back up the creek to Tassajara. Carry lots of water on the Horsepasture Trail. There might be water at a creek crossing a half mile up from where you cross Tassajara Creek, but I wouldn't count on it. There won't be any more water until you get back to Tassajara Creek, about 4 miles later.

There is also a sign for the Tony Trail. And a huge hill to climb up and over, in the sun. But the trail is in good shape.

[ventana_phile]

Route has been nicely summarized in older posts (as you mentioned) however current trail conditions are not readily known at this time unless someone with more recent hiking experience replies. I suggest you reference the Big Sur Trail Map (at bigsurtrailmap.net) for trail information. You'll find this site to be an extraordinarily resourceful guide to hiking throughout the Big Sur back country, including trails along your route between Arroyo Seco CG to Tassajara Zen Center.

[Saszquatch]

Hello! I know I'm replying to an older post, but hopefully someone will reply.

My husband and I are planning to hike into the Zen center later this summer from Arroyo Seco. Any advice or thoughts on routes would be great.

[frenzyk]

Thanks for the helpful responses! We're back from Tassajara after a successful hike and a great weekend. The trails were well maintained and marked all the way. Lots of brush around the spring on the Horse Pasture trail, but manageable. We definitely recommend this route to Tassajara!

[Betsy M]

I haven't done the Horse Pasture section recently, but the hike on the road, and then on Marble Peak Trail, is fine. The start of the HP trail is signed. You drop down and cross Tassajara Creek, then start an uphill climb that goes for about 2.5 or 3 miles. Be watchful: the route can meander around in a few places in the first mile. I believe this is partly due to some re-routes following landslides. After that, it is more obvious and easy to follow. Although, as you mention, it is hot, there is lots of poison oak, and you should watch for rattlesnakes. There are no water sources after you leave Tassajara Creek. The last section before you get to the Cutoff Trail is the one I have not been on. It is a long contour. It is probably quite brushy. Watch for the Cutoff trail on your left after you complete this section, and if you find yourself descending a lot, you probably missed the Cutoff. It should be signed.

You should also remember to let someone at Tassajara know your plans and your route. There are beautiful views on this hike, so enjoy. I'm guessing this is about 8 miles, so allow 5 or more hours. As the previous poster notes, starting early would be helpful.

[sworksdude]

Greetings

I was in Willow Creek area last week, plenty of water at Horse Bridge crossing (Arroyo Seca River) and Willow Creek. IT Was Very HOT..
I also have hike from Arroyo Seca Gorge Parking >WildCat Camp and next day hiked back down to TZC to enjoy the day, yum lunch and spa.
We are not hard core thru hikers and felt this trail was moderate/easy and very well defined, do start early and beat the heat.

Have Fun .. plenty of P oak,snakes yes but have not seen one for a year.... biting flies/knats are more a problem.

p.s. I think this is the best way to get to the Zen unless you parachute in.

Cheers

[frenzyk]

My wife and I are doing a retreat at Tassajara Zen Center and thinking about hiking from the Arroyo Seco Station to Tassajara, taking the Indians Road to Marble Peak Trail to Horse Pasture Trail to Tassajara Cutoff Trail. If anyone has done this recently, can you give me a sense for the trail conditions and how rigorous a hike this would be? Are there better ways to hike into Tassajara in a day? I would assume I could do this as a day hike, get there by late afternoon, but I am not a super experienced wilderness hiker so I wanted to be sure I'm not being overly ambitious. Any other tips are very welcome. I know I should bring lots of water and watch out for heat exhaustion, poison oak and rattlesnakes.

Thanks!