Sierra Club San Luis Obispo One Earth, One Chance Morro Rock, Home of the Peregrine Falcon       Trails of  Monterey County

 

List of Trails
Soda Springs Trail	Cone Peak Trail	Cruikshank Trail	Ewoldsen Trail
North Prewitt  Creek Trail	Salmon Creek Trail	Vicente Flats Trail	More Information

Please note, that the Ventana Wilderness Alliance usually has the most up to date conditions on any of these trails.

Soda Springs Trail
Distance: 3.5 miles to Buckeye Camp (One Way)

The Soda Springs Trail offers great views of the Big Sur Coastline as it climbs 2,000 feet in 3 miles to Buckeye Camp, where there are two tables and water for the hiker. The trail winds in and out of coastal canyons of oaks, gray pines, Santa Lucia Firs and grassy hillsides. This trail has some poison oak and can be brushy in places. This trail can be hot in summer, but very rewarding.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive north on Highway 1 sixty miles to Salmon Falls. You will pass Ragged Point and the San Luis Obispo/Monterey County Line along the way. 5 miles past the County line you will enter a deep canyon with a old forest service station across the canyon (Salmon Creek Trailhead). Drive another 1.6 miles north on Highway 1. There is a stop for water, and a small pullout at the trailhead.

NOTE: January 2005, We have hiked this trail recently, and it is in fair shape there is one downed tree across the trail between Soda Springs Trail Junction and Soda Springs. All of the Washouts have been repaired, but there is still some encroaching brush. We thank the Ventana Wilderness Alliance for all there hard work.

From Buckeye Camp to Cruikshank Camp, the trail has also been repaired making it a great shuttle hike down to Villa Creek Camp.

 See the Cruikshank Trail for conditions on the trail past Buckeye Camp.

(THIS TRAIL IS NOT PASSABLE BY STOCK.)

Call the U.S. Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District, 406 S. Mildred Avenue King City, CA 93930 , (831)385-5434  for the latest information and ask them to continue repair of the trail.

Cone Peak
Distance: 2.3 Miles (One Way)

Formally a fire lookout, this 5,140 foot peak is one of the Highest Points in the Ventana Wilderness. The lookout station still remains, but is now unmanned due to budget cuts, and newer technology. Cone Peak offers spectacular views of the Big Sur Coastline, Salinas Valley and on a clear day the Sierra Nevada Range can be seen. This 2.3 mile well maintained trail is a great experience for all to enjoy.

 
Directions to Trailhead: From San Luis Obispo, drive North on Highway 1 to the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Turn right and drive 8 miles up this steep winding road. Turn left onto a dirt road and drive 5.5 miles to the Cone Peak trailhead. The dirt road is closed much of the year during winter rains and unsafe conditions. A $5.00 Adventure Pass is required to park at this trailhead.
 
 

Trail Crew working on the Arroyo Seco Trail, in the Ventana Wilderness

Cruikshank Trail
Distance: 2.1 miles to Upper Cruikshank Camp (One Way)

The Cruikshank Trail takes you on a exploration of Villa Creek drainage with three possible destinations. The first part of the trail climbs steeply 600 feet before leveling out as it enter this deep canyon. Redwoods, small creeks and great views are offered along this trail after 2.4 miles you reach upper Cruikshank Camp. Here the trail splits for either Villa Creek Camp, Silver Camp or Coast Ridge Road, or traverses over to Buckeye Camp. This trail has been improved recently but conditions vary as all the trails in the Ventana Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness are maintained mostly by volunteers.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive north on Highway 1 sixty miles to Salmon Falls. You will pass Ragged Point and the San Luis Obispo/Monterey County Line along the way. 5 miles past the County line you will enter a deep canyon with a old forest service station across the canyon (Salmon Creek Trailhead). Drive another 5.6 miles north on Highway 1. There is small sigh on the right marking the trail if you cross the Villa Creek bridge or reach Gorda, you have gone to far.

Virtual Tour of the Cruikshank Trail

 

Is it spelled Cruickshank or Cruikshank? It's been confused for years, but the correct spelling is Cruikshank, with only the one "c." Here's an excerpt from the entry in "Monterey County Place Names - a Geographic Dictionary" by Donald Thomas Clark, 1991, page 123:

"Many writers spell the name 'Cruickshank,' but evidence is clear that both the trail and camp were named for a member of the Cruikshank (no second 'c') family. William T. Cruikshank was for many years the recorder of Los Burros Mining District, and in the district's records he always signed his name as Cruikshank."


NOTE: (Updated January 2005)

Cruikshank Trail Report

13 of us hiked the trail to Upper Cruikshank Camp, across to Buckeye then return via Soda Springs, the trail is in fair to good condition and the brushy section at the top of the switchbacks to the redwood groves is now clear thanks to the SLO Trail Volunteers.

Water is still plentiful at Lion Den Camp, and at a few small creek crossing between the Lion Den and Silver Camp.

With the completion of this trip we can classify the Cruikshank Trail as follows from Bottom to Top.

Highway 1 to top of Switchbacks Wilderness Freeway. Switchbacks to Cruikshank Camp, Clear with many wide open Sections from recent work.

Top of Switchback to Lower Cruikshank Camp

Clear to Wilderness Freeway. Trail Crews have been in here during January 2005

Cruikshank Camp to Silver Camp Clear.

Some poison Oak. Poison Oak present some encroachment, occasional log to step over.

Silver Camp to Rocky Outcropping

Clear, some washed away tread but passable.

Rocky Outcropping for the next mile

Clear, and some passable sections, poor tread in places.

Tree Section has been reduced to nothing, only one tree to climb over, and several easily stepped over. Lots of brushing making this trail a delight. Many detoured sections have been put back on the original alignment. Trail can be considered clear to the fire road leading to Lion Den Camp.

The Fallen Tree across the fire road has been removed.

From Lion Den Camp to Coast Ridge Road, Clear.

January 2005, Clear according to VWA report

Cruikshank Camp to Villa Creek

December. 2004 - The Old trails has now been opened after being covered for more than 16 years. Jim Ericson with some help have cleared the slide, and cut through several large downed trees of 4 feet in diameter, and rebuilt portions of the trail. There is a little more work to do but it looks great at this time. Once across Villa Creek the trail is clear with some poison oak. We managed to regrade and clear sections of this trail as well.

The Trail is easy to follow with a cool spot for lunch.
 

Villa Creek Camp to Alder Camp

December. 2004- The trail is still clear with a few small dead falls across the trail to Alder Camp. It is not perfect, but is is in good condition and almost no poison oak.


(THIS TRAIL IS NOT PASSABLE BY STOCK.)

Call the U.S. Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District, 406 S. Mildred Avenue King City, CA 93930 , (831)385-5434  for the latest information and ask them to continue repair of the trail.

Ewoldsen Trail
Distance: 5.0 miles to Vista Point and Back

Located in Julia Pfieffer State Beach, this trail has been rebuilt since El Nino in 1998. The trail offers wonderful redwoods, running streams, lush vegetation and culminates with a grand view of the Pacific Ocean. This trail is a great summer hike.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive north on Highway 1 ninety miles to Julia Pfeiffer State Park. About 10 miles South of Big Sur itself.

North Prewitt Creek Trail
Distance: 4.0 miles to Stag Camp (One Way)

The Prewitt Creek Trail located in the heart of Pacific Valley is a little known, but is in good shape after being maintained by the Boy Scouts and Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club. A fire in 1996 removed most of the under brush making this trail a real delight. It is recommended that you only use the North Prewitt loop trail as the south loop is heavily overgrown at this time. This trail offers great views of Pacific Valley San Dollar Beach, the ducks into redwood groves then emerges to a rocky out cropping for a great lunch spot. As with all trails along the Big Sur Coastline, poison oak may be present.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive north on Highway 1 70 miles past Gorda to the Pacific Valley Ranger Station. Drive another 1/2 to 1 mile and look for a sign "North Prewitt Creek Loop" marking the trailhead on the East side of the road.

NOTE: Trail report January 2005.

As of this report, the Prewitt Creek Trail is mainly accessible from the North Side to Stag Camp and a back to the slide to the North Fork of Prewitt Creek. The North side first mile or so has been completely rebuilt and brushed. Once you turn into the Canyon, the tread is fair to good at this time. Many of the uneven sections have been fixed and the trail has now been brushed all the way to Stag Camp.

The South Side first three miles have been reconstructed as well. The Plaskett  fire crews have cleared a 2 mile section to the top of the switchbacks . Beyond the switchbacks, the SLO trail volunteers and 3CMB have cleared at least another mi le.. The trail can be followed as it has been remarked by trail volunteers. The tread is still in poor shape at this time. About a half mile from Stag Camp, the trail becomes much nicer as the tread has been fix ed..

(THIS TRAIL IS NOT PASSABLE BY STOCK.)

Call the U.S. Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District, 406 S. Mildred Avenue King City, CA 93930 , (831)385-5434  for the latest information and ask them to continue repair of the trail.

Junipero Serra Trail
Distance: 5.8 miles to the top (3800 foot elevation Gain, One Way)

The Juniper Serra Trail is the highest peak in Monterey County and is a wonderful long and strenuous hike. It offer great views of the Ventana Wilderness, loads of wildflowers and interesting rock formations. This trail has been improved recently but conditions vary as all the trails in the Ventana Wilderness and Silver Peak Wilderness are maintained mostly by volunteers.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive north on Highway 101 to Jolon Road approximately 50 miles. Exit here and drive 25 miles to Fort Hunter Ligget. End the base then follow the signs to memorial camp. They can be hard to see.

Virtual Tour of the Santa Lucia Trail

Salmon Creek Trail
Distance: 3.0 miles to Estrella Camp. (One Way)

Salmon Creek is probably one of the best know trails along the Big Sur Coastline. Its thundering waterfall during the winter and spring months attract lots of visitors. But just as rewarding is the actually hiking trail to Dutra Flats, or Estrella Camp. The trail climbs steeply, then levels out as it meanders in and out of lush canyons, then onto open slopes. At the two mile point a junction is reached. The left trail descends steeply to Spruce Creek Camp, a cool place to visit. It then continues upwards to Estrella Camp where there is a picnic table under an old oak tree for lunch. The right fork follows Spruce Creek, then climbs high over the ridge to a beautiful meadow, called Dutra Flats. Here are located two picnic tables, and a reliable source of water. Poison oak is present along either of these trails.

Directions to trailhead: From San Luis Obispo drive north on Highway 1 sixty miles. You will pass Ragged Point and the San Luis Obispo/Monterey County Line along the way. 5 miles past the County line you will enter a deep canyon with a old forest service station across the canyon. The trail starts at the end of the horseshoe canyon on the right side of Salmon Creek.

NOTE: As of Jan 2005,

The trail conditions on the Salmon Creek Trail are fair. The trail to Spruce Creek Junction is clear. Poison Oak is present and will be encountered. The snags at Spruce Creek Trail Junction and down to Spruce Camp have been removed

Spruce Creek Junction to Estrella Camp.

The Sierra Hot Shots have extensively reworked this trail and fixed the tread for the next mile. All the trees have been removed, and the major slide at this time has been repaired. Rock walls put in several years ago are still intact. This section of trail is in great shape at this time.

Spruce Creek  Junction to Dutra Flats.

On the Dutra Flat Trail some trail work has been done. There are a few trees down across the trail but can be stepped over easily. The Dutra Slide near Spruce creek been repaired for hikers and backpackers only. Other work is being done on this trail watch for updates as they arrive. The Dutra Flat trail still has several places where the poison oak is unavoidable. This trail should be used by foot traffic only at this time.

Estrella Camp to Coast Ridge

The trail from Estrella Camp can be found as it heads up the canyon. The first 1/2 to 3/4 mile is clear, which brush encroaching on both sides of the trail. There are at lest two downed trees and a slide to contend with in this section. From here on, we have been told the trail has been cleared to the coast ridge road at this time

(THIS TRAIL MAY NOT BE PASSABLE BY STOCK.)

Call the U.S. Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District, 406 S. Mildred Avenue King City, CA 93930 , (831)385-5434  for the latest information and ask them to continue repair of the trail.

Vicente Flat (Kirk Creek) Trail
Distance: 5.5 Miles (One Way)

The Vicente Flat Trail is a real gem for those wishing to explore the Ventana Wilderness area. This 5 mile, 1800 foot elevation gain hike one way to Vicente Flats, offers great views of the Big Sur Coastline. At the 2.8 mile mark the trail turns east and heads into Hare Canyon for a view of Cone Peak at elevation 5100 fe et.. For the remainder of the trek to Vicente Flat, the trail winds in and out of deep canyons and offers close encounters with large redwoods (Sempenvirens), Madrone, oaks and bay trees. Reaching Vicente Flat the explorer is rewarded with a huge redwood grove, a running stream and several campsites to enjoy the sunshine. Poison oak is present along much of this trail.

A mostly downhill hike can be had by driving up to the Coast Ridge Road Trailhead. Then hike down the 7.5 mile trail to the trailhead on Highway 1.

Directions to Trailhead: From San Luis Obispo, drive North on Highway 1, 75 miles to the Nacimiento-Ferguson Road. Go another north 1/4 mile and park across from the entrance to Kirk Creek Campground.

Virtual Tour of the Vicente Flat Trail

Conditions reported by: EW
Survey date: 22-JANUARY-2005
General: CLEAR
Specific:

Ascending from Highway 1, the Vicente Flat Trail maintains "Wilderness Freeway" status for at least 2 miles, after which point a few spots have slipped, to render the tread slightly off-camber, still no real difficulty getting through - the only adversity begins after entering Hare Canyon, where the trail is blocked by about 5 downed Redwoods & Tanoaks, which still pose no real obstacle to day hikers, only a minor inconvenience to those toting heavy packs.

Gorgeous Peonies were in bloom as long ago as late December, many have now gone to seed; Camas Lilies, Shooting Stars & even a Fritilary (this was January, mind you!) stand as harbingers of an early spring in the Santa Lucia.

 

(THIS TRAIL IS NOT PASSABLE BY STOCK.)

Call the U.S. Forest Service, Monterey Ranger District, 406 S. Mildred Avenue King City, CA 93930 , (831)385-5434  for the latest information and ask them to continue repair of the trail.

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Los Padres National Forest Monterey County

U.S. Forest Service
Monterey Ranger District
406 S. Mildred Avenue
King City, CA 93930
(831)385-5434

Los Padres National Forest San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties

U.S. Forest Service
Santa Lucia Ranger District
1515 Carlotti Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454
(805)925-9538

Back to Santa Lucia Chapter.

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	Santa Lucia Chapter of the Sierra Club P.O. Box 15755 San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. Telephone 1-805-543-8717.
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