Topo of the route for the day. Pretty much a steady uphill climb from the Big Sur State Park. Park access is now $7.

The trailhead for the Manuel trail is the same as for Pfieiffer Falls (i.e. left past the entrance to near the nature center)

It was sprinkling a bit as I headed out, but I managed to avoid getting rained on today. The route followed the Pfeiffer Falls trail for a couple hundred yards before turning right to join the Oak Grove Trail. The Pfeiffer falls trail had a bunch of traffic both when I left and when I returned.

A small waterfall along the Oak Grove trail that immediatedly disappeared underground. The Oak grove trail was mostly flattish and in good shape.

Bench and small bridge along the Oak Grove trail.

Junction of the Mt Manuel trail and the Oak Grove Trail. The sign on the back right lists the trailhead (580) and peak (3380) elevations. Got some uphill ahead of me.

The Manuel trail quickly climbed above the treeline and switchbacked up the hill a half dozen times.

The view opened up as the trail climbed above the Big Sur River gorge and the next mile or two of trail was now visible. Theres a party (just a spec on the full sized version) about 20-30 minutes ahead of me that I would catch as I reached the summit.

Looking down at the Big Sur river, which could be heard clearly even up here. Lots of water from the recent rains in the river.