![]() The wheel was basically a small hydroelectric faciilty currently housing a small turbine. The wirings and batteries still making use of the turbine powered by the Pelton Wheel and McWay Creek We then descended a path that began near the entrance kiosk, which took us on a well-defined trail leading towards the ocean.Īfter a few steps towards the ocean, we noticed a short spur path to the left leading to the signposted Pelton Wheel. Experiencing McWay FallsĪs for the McWay Falls experience, we began at the main parking lot (there was a $10 fee as of our latest visits in 2010, 20 see see directions below). Other landslides have occurred that closed Hwy 1 for another couple of years prior to our latest visit in 2018.Īnyways, such landslides are why the authorities urge people not to try to scramble down the cliffs to access the beach at McWay Cove. ![]() Even the lookout area around McWay Falls has always been a constant battle between accessibility and erosion Now, it mostly falls on a beach resulting from the landslide, and I’d imagine only under high tide would the falls once again touch the ocean directly.īy the way, that major landslide (which closed Hwy 1 for nearly a year and was said to be visible from space) illustrated the inherent instability of the cliffs here. Prior to that major event, the falls did indeed fall directly into the ocean. That said, signs here showed how the falls looked both before and after a major landslide in 1983. Note the new-looking cliffs to the topright of this picture, which was where the last major landslide took place Looking down the coastline from the Waterfall House location. In fact, we’ve seen in the literature that the term tide fall to categorize such ocean-bound waterfalls was coined thanks to this waterfall. One of the more unique aspects about McWay Falls was that it more-or-less fell directly into the ocean. It’s no wonder why we never get tired of this place despite the increase in the number of visitors here, especially with the blow up on social media.Ĭome to think of it, this waterfall and its location really embodied the rugged beauty that epitomized Big Sur. Indeed, we quickly understood why Big Sur had a reputation for being the best place to witness where the ocean meets the sky. That was when the warm glow of the setting sun painted both the falls and the neighboring cove a warm yellow and orange. In addition to the picturesque (but inaccessible) cove, on a recent visit in 2018, we noticed for the first time that there was actually a sea arch almost behind the waterfall itself!Īnd while the scene is beautiful at almost any time of day, we were treated to a really special sight when we showed up right at sunset. McWay Falls as seen in the late afternoon of an overcast day in November of a dry year, which further proves its longevity The waterfall is said to drop some 80ft into a beach situated within a picturesque cove (McWay Cove also called Waterfall Cove) opening out to the Pacific Ocean. I swear that every time we’ve visited the Big Sur Coast, we’ve made at least one stop to McWay Falls so I’d imagine we had to have been here at least six times or more over the years. Its impossibly scenic location (as you can see in the photo above) was what made this waterfall unique and a place we never get tired of seeing no matter how many times we’ve been here. ![]() We’ve even confirmed that McWay Creek was year-round as we’ve been here in different seasons from Spring through Autumn. ![]() ![]() The waterfall was where McWay Creek was said to drop some 80ft into a beach situated within the picturesque McWay Cove (also called Waterfall Cove), which opened out to the Pacific Ocean. McWay Falls was easily one of the most beautifully situated waterfalls on the California Coast that we’ve personally encountered. ![]()
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