The gorge section of the Pfeiffer Falls Trail was closed after two major forest fires in 2008.
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The trail passes under the highway and then heads north around McWay Cove, overlooking the waterfall, and beach that was created by a 1983 land slide. The McWay Falls Overlook Trail is closed at the halfway point due to trail erosion that has caused dangerous conditions.
Pfeiffer Beach in Big SurWater from the creek to your left forms a long pool in the sand in front of you, which you can easily walk around (or through). To your left, a crescent-shaped arc of sand is backed by tall sea cliffs.
The 1 mile (1.6 km) long beach is known for purple patches of sand that are occasionally visible, especially after rain. The purple color is caused by Manganese garnet that is eroded down from nearby hillsides.
Famous for its purple sand with tiny flecks of garnet tinting the sand purple, Pfeiffer Beach along the Big Sur, PCH Highway 1 Tour is a photographer's paradise with a beautiful rugged coastline, crashing waves and a beautiful rock formation known as Keyhole Sea Arch.
Olivine SandSand of almost exclusively olivine grains is very rare, and Papakolea is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. The others are Hornindalsvatnet in Norway, Punta Cormorant in the Galapagos Islands, and Talofofo Beach in Guam.
If you are planning to go into the water near Pfeiffer Beach, we recommend being extremely careful and preferably wearing a sweatsuit as the water here is extremely cold and is known for dangerous rip currents.