VENTANA WILDERNESS ALLIANCE
On-Line Trail Conditions Report

ARROYO SECO TRAIL

• USFS trail #4E10
• Parking: Memorial Park
• Watersheds: Arroyo Seco River
• Junctions: Rodeo Flats, Coast Ridge Trail
• Connects: The Indians with the Coast Ridge Trail
• Camps: Forks Camp, Madrone Camp

Conditions reported by: Reed Thayer
Survey date: 3-JUNE-2007
General: WILDERNESS FREEWAY
Specific:

The Arroyo Seco Trail was heavenly after coming off of the Coast Ridge Trail. It is free of brush and it is possible to avoid touching poison oak above the shin. There are 2 deadfalls, and only one of them takes a little time to negotiate. The creek is flowing heartily and the tread is in excellent condition. Thanks to the crews that have cleared this scenic trail. Conditions reported by: Robert Parks
Survey date: 8-OCTOBER-2006
General: CLEAR
Specific:

Section: Memorial Campground to Switchback above Madrone Camp - Wilderness Freeway

Some very nice tread and rockwork has been done in this section and elsewhere on the trail. The trail is wide and clear and except for a bit of poison oak just past False Madrone could be hiked in shorts. All logs have been cleared.

Section: Switchback to a half mile from the Coast Ridge Trail - Clear

The slide above the first switchback has been greatly improved, although it is still somewhat narrow for stock. All large brush has been removed on this section, although knee high brush in the exposed sections is still annoying. Some improvements in the gullied sections have been made.

Section: Last half mile to Coast Ridge Trail - Wilderness Freeway

General work has improved this section from the existing good condition to Wilderness Freeway. Conditions reported by: David Knapp
Survey date: 8-JULY-2006
General: CLEAR
Specific:

Section: Memorial Campground to about 300 yards past False Madrone camp (third river crossing) - Clear

At least one horse was able to make it to Forks camp, however they must have encountered a difficult trip as I cleared a bunch of overhanging limbs and encroaching brush from the trailhead to False Madrone. The last horse sign I saw was at Forks Camp.

Someone made a nice rock path across the third river crossing at False Madrone. Doubt it will last the winter though. The other river crossings are still difficult, but doable.

After False Madrone, there were about 7 trees down in various states of crossing the trail. The last one had come down with the foliage blocking the trail, so that a tread erosion/diversion was created. That was as far as I got because it was hot and late.

All others between it and False Madrone were removed with the help of various colorful metaphors and grunting.

The poison oak was unavoidable, especially after the first river crossing, and after false madrone camp.

After the last tree, there is another tree sticking up and diagonally onto the trail, which someone cut the end off, and some of the branches, however they left about 6, 10 inch stobs of 2-3 inch branches. Next time they should just cut them flush to the tree. If my saw was bigger, I might have done it, but it's about a 10 inch log. I fixed two of them and went home

My guess is that there is more of the same until you get to the gullied part of the trail where it starts climbing up. The middle part is still difficult

Nothing was left of the Sportsmen's Lodge except soot.

Saw ladybugs, lizards, and a deer on the trail. Conditions reported by: Robert Parks
Survey date: 11-DECEMBER-2005
General: DIFFICULT
Specific:

Section: Upper portion near Coast Ridge Trail - Difficult

This trip focused mostly on the Coast Ridge Trail (to make access to the top of the Arroyo Seco Trail easier), however, a short portion on the flats at the top of the trail was brought to Wilderness Freeway standards. A very brushy and difficult section remains below. The next work trip is scheduled for the 13th-15th of January. Conditions reported by: Robert Parks
Survey date: 15-NOVEMBER-2005
General: PASSABLE/DIFFICULT
Specific:

Overall: This report reflects the substantial work done by a large VWA Trail Crew over Veterans Day weekend.

All but the very top is generally Clear, At the top, whether you consider it Difficult or Passable will depend on your comfort level on bad Ventana trails. Whichever, the upper half mile is not pleasant.

Section: Trailhead to False Madrone Camp - Wilderness Freeway

Section: False Madrone Camp to Madrone Camp - Wilderness Freeway

All of the deadfalls and logs have been removed in this section. The tread of the trail is in good condition.

Section: Madrone Camp to Coast Ridge Trail - Passable/Difficult

Only a few relatively small logs/deadfall remain on the trail, all easily crossed/bypassed by the hiker. The slide has had a foot path cut across it, although it remains a problem for stock. The trail is Wilderness Freeway or Clear to about 1/2 mile from the junction with the Coast Ridge Trail, with major amounts of encroaching brush removed. The last unworked section is as described below. As one of our crew described it, "Not worth the pain for the poor view of the ocean." The next work trip is scheduled for the 9th-11th of December. VWA Trailcrew Report Conditions reported by: Robert Parks
Survey date: 8-OCTOBER-2005
General: PASSABLE/DIFFICULT
Specific:

Overall:

The lower section is generally clear, Above, whether you consider it difficult or passable will depend on your comfort level on bad Ventana trails. Whichever, the upper two miles are not pleasant.

Section: Trailhead to Forks Camp - Wilderness Freeway

Some cleanup work was done at the first river crossing and the slump has had a good, if steep bypass built around it.

Section: Forks Camp to False Madrone Camp - Wilderness Freeway

The VWA Trailcrew cleared all the obstacles and encroaching brush up to the camp at the third crossing.

Section: False Madrone Camp to Madrone Camp - Clear

Most of the deadfalls and encroaching brush have been cleared on this section, there remain a few of logs and deadfalls on the trail. A few places require ducking under or scrambling over. The tread of the trail is in good condition.

Section: Madrone Camp to Coast Ridge Trail - Passable/Difficult

Several substantial logs and numerous smaller deadfall challenge the hiker, although the worst (a multi-stemmed tanoak down across the first switchback) is well flagged. There is a minor slide that can be crossed fairly easily. Most of this section of the trail is in fire regeneration mode, with generous growth of scrub oak and other spiny plants to give the hiker pushing through the Death of a Thousand Cuts (Kevlar body armor, or at least heavy pants, shirt and gloves are recommended). In various places the trail has eroded into the soft sandstone, giving uneven footing. The top is well flagged, where the tread wanders inexplicably in the brush. For those comfortable with bad Ventana trails, it is not particularly difficult to follow or get through, although in no way is it pleasant. VWA Trailcrew Report Conditions reported by: Marjorie Munson
Survey date: 5-JUNE-2005
General: DIFFICULT
Specific:

Section: Trailhead to Forks Camp - Wilderness Freeway

Section: Forks Camp to Madrone Camp - Passable

The first river crossing is a little tricky. Ther is one large deadfall and encroaching poison oak on the way up to the next big camp at the 3rd river crossing (approx. 2 mi. from Indians Road). The poison oak gets worse from there to Madrone Camp.

Section: Madrone Camp to Coast Ridge Trail - Difficult

Past Madrone camp there is big deadfall (thank you to whomever flagged the point to start switchbacking up from the river)and the poison oak transitions to heavy brush that has completely overgrown the trailway in many places. The route is still findable - but I wonder for how long? Wear protective clothing from head to toe for bushwhacking. I would love to be part of a trail clearing effort. I am not sure what tools are best for denting the heavy brush... Are there any plans for this? [Ed: originally there were plans to do work on this trail in Spring of 2005, but circumstances prevented the work from happening. Check out the VWA Trailcrew page, as well as the VWA calendar] Conditions reported by: Lisa Frankel
Survey date: 22-APRIL-2005
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

We hiked the Arroyo Seco trail on Sat/Sun April 23/24 to just a quarter of a mile or so beyond the Rodeo Flats/Arroyo Seco junction (we stayed to the right on the Rodeo Flats trail). We camped for the night before the junction (introducing an 11 year old nephew to backpacking). The first creek crosssing at the beginning of the trail after the Sportsman's Club was no rock hop! It required a full bore wade across with great care! The creek was pretty high and wide there from an afternoon of rain.

The rest of the trail was fine - except there is the one slump about halfway between the trailhead and the first junction with any easy detour above it. Otherwise the trail is good with a few muddy spots where water is running on the trail. Great flowers and the water looked divine for a dip - except that unlike last year at this very same time when we were roasting and grateful for the cold creek - we couldn't bear the thought of undressing and getting fully wet - the day was far to grey and cold. Counted 26 salamanders wandering across the trail on the way in. Conditions reported by: Richard Vassar
Survey date: 15-APRIL-2005
General: DIFFICULT
Specific:

We did this trail as a dayhike from Santa Lucia Memorial Park to its junction with the Coast Ridge Trail. Trail is in generally good condition to Forks Camp. The first crossing of the Arroyo Seco River was somewhat tricky due to deep and fast water. On the way back we followed a red flagged route and were able to rock hop across and keep our feet dry. To find this on the way up, go upstream approximately 100 yards to a large rock and look for a crossing just beyond. A section of the trail has slipped away between the first crossing and Forks Camp but a crude bypass trail exists. A bit of trail work could greatly improve the footing on this bypass. Above Forks Camp the trail crosses the river twice more then enters a section with numerous downed trees and lots of poison oak. More trail work is needed here. Once the trail leaves the river and begins switchbacking up more open hillsides we were treated to views but not many wildflowers. The top mile or so of trail is quite overgrown with brush and considerable bushwacking is required to make progress through some sections. Brush probably grows quickly because fires of a few years ago killed almost all the large trees. There is need for a trail crew to clear downed trees, poison oak, and brush over the last 3 miles of this trail for the hiking to be enjoyable. Conditions reported by: Rob Yang
Survey date: 10-APRIL-2005
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

Section: Rodeo Flat junction to The Indians (Passable)

Mostly a Wilderness Freeway, but there was one section that had a major washout. This part was passable, due to a detour above the washout. As always, a pleasant hike due to the great scenery and rushing water of the creek below. Conditions reported by: Lindsay Jeffers - Stevenson Wilderness Program
Survey date: 7-MARCH-2005
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

Section: Indians Memorial Campground to Rodeo Flats Trail junction

Wilderness Highway except one hands-and-knees crawl under fallen trunk half-way to the first crossing of the Arroyo Seco River.

Section: Rodeo Flats Trail junction to Coast Ridge Trail (Passable)

Passable lower section; clear to top. The lower section before reaching the chaparral had a dozen or more blowdowns that took extra work to cross. One has fallen along the final big switchback before the trail climbs out of the canyon, obscuring that route. We cleared what we could and flagged that hidden switchback. Clear the rest of the way with some brush. Conditions reported by: Chuck L.
Survey date: 13-NOV-2004
General: WILDERNESS FREEWAY TO PASSABLE
Specific:

Section: Memorial Park to the Coast Ridge Trail

Memorial Park to Forks Camp is Wilderness Highway. Much used and well maintained. Ticks were out in numbers on this section of the trail after the recent rains. Arroyo Seco and Rodeo Flats trail diverge at about 2 miles. The wood sign here just indicates Cone Peak to the left (our route) and Big Sur to the right.

Going left, you immediately cross the stream (rock hopping). The crossing is confusing. There is a small, steam-side campsite with the another crossing shortly after. It's easy to miss and it appears that the trail continues on beyond the actual crossing point. I'm sure this trail is a result of all those who miss the crossing then hiked back in search of it. (ED. note: upstream of second crossing used to be a downed tree used by some to cross creek/river). The crossing can be located by a large, flat topped rock along the trail. Looking across the stream, the trail can be identified by blazes cut in a tree.

The trail to Madrone Camp is good and the Sycamores are in full fall foliage now. The trail starts climbing after Madrone and there are several trees downed across the trail which involves some climbing over and scrambling around but it's not bad.

Then the trail climbed into open chapparel country with beautiful views of the valley we'd just climbed. The tick activity stops here and we were glad for the cool weather as this part would be hot climbing on a summer day.

It becomes obvious that this trail follows a old telephone line as you begin to find telephone poles. Most are down and partially burned from a past forest fires but a few still stand. It is also obvious that the trail is there because of this line as it goes by each pole and I'm guessing it was some kind of maintenance tail. (ED. note: this trail had/has many uses besides phone line maintenance.)

Long pants and shirts are important here as the brush encroaching on the trail is pretty tuff stuff and my bare arms were bleeding a bit by the time we made the summit.

The trail sign at the top is in bad shape but you can just make out most of the verbiage. There were beautiful views of the Devils Canyon water shed and the Ocean beyond and the inland valleys and mountains. Conditions reported by: Rob Yang
Survey date: 24-OCT-2004
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

Section: Coast Ridge Trail to Memorial Park

Followed this trail down from Coast Ridge, and things seemed to be pretty much the same as the last time I hiked it. The brush on the upper section had gotten a bit thicker, which I guess is to be expected after six months of growth. It had rained lightly that morning, so I passed through wearing raingear to avoid being drenched by all the cold wet branches and didn't get my clippers out for that reason (still got pretty wet, though).

There was a short stretch where the tread was slumping down the hillside just before the trail turns left and starts following the creek. Not difficult to leap across with a light pack, though. The same blowdowns were present, and I used the same use trails to get up and over them.

Excellent views of the clouds parting to reveal the cliffs above Arroyo Seco creek. The three crossings were rock-hops, despite recent rain. Conditions reported by: Rob Yang
Survey date: 18-APRIL-2004
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

Section: Coast Ridge Trail to Memorial Park

I hiked down from the junction with Coast Ridge Road, and enjoyed the fantastic views of sandstone bluffs and other formations. The upper part of the trail is mostly just intermittently brushy. This time I carried a pruning saw and clippers, and managed to dispatch some troublesome spots.

Down in the canyon there were two big deadfalls, one of which required an uphill detour, and the other required a bit of climbing through. The poison oak was out in force up to about Forks camp, but not so lush that it could not be avoided by an observant hiker.

All the crossings were rock-hops. From Forks the trail was pretty much wide and clear, and I enjoyed views of the bluffs on the south bank and sandstone formations to the north. Conditions reported by: HM
Survey date: 17-APRIL-2004
General: DIFFICULT
Specific:

Section: Coast Ridge Trail jct. to Madrone Camp

We started on Coast Ridge Trail, and went only as far as Madrone Camp before turning back. This trail would benefit from some serious brush clearing along large sections, where we acquired various ticks. But our biggest challenge was the poison oak which is springing up rapidly in the canyon above Madrone Camp. This slowed us down significantly, and in the end, was still unavoidable. The young shoots we saw could be much worse later this spring, unless someone can safely cut them back. Conditions reported by: EW
Survey date: 03-APRIL-2004
General: CLEAR
Specific:

Section: Entire

This splendid trail has got to be the most forgiving route to the Coast Ridge. Beginning behind the Hunter's cabin (ED. note: Southern Monterey Sportsman¹s Association) at Santa Lucia Memorial Park, it passes through riparian vegetation, oaks and incense cedars to quickly cross the Arroyo Seco (a wet ford, sometimes even un-crossable after heavy rains) and gradually climb past Forks and Madrone Camps. Just beyond, the trail nears the river one last time, then switch-backs up through chaparral to the top. Easy to follow and highly recommended. Conditions reported by: Lindsay Jeffers - Stevenson Wilderness Expedition
Survey date: 03-MAR-2004
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

Section: Coast Ridge Trail jct. to Memorial Park

The trail was in pretty good shape with a number of blowdowns. One fallen tree was significant near Madrone camp. It was a bit of work to climb up and around the blowdown. Conditions reported by: Rob Yang
Survey date: 18-JAN-2003
General: PASSABLE
Specific:

Near the top there were the usual scratchy brushy parts and detours. The section descending into the canyon has a few old burned knobcone pines down, and there were a couple of deadfalls in the canyon itself. Some of it I managed to heave off the trail myself. But it was all pretty much manageable with a bit of caution, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good things had held up after the last batch of storms.

A short ways up from Madrone camp I caught a few photos of over wintering ladybug beetles clumped on stalks of tall grass and scrub oak leaves. Also noted all the Santa Lucia firs between Forks camp and the Indians trailhead. Conditions reported by: Stevenson School Wilderness Expedition
Survey date: FEB-2002
General: WILDERNESS FREEWAY to CLEAR
Specific:

Memorial Park Camp Ground to Coast Ridge Trail: This route is open and easy to follow. The trail to Forks Camp is a wilderness highway. On the way up to the CRR, there are a number of small trees down across the trail, but nothing serious. Conditions reported by: Stephen Collier
Survey date: 29-Dec-2001
General: High water crossing
Specific:

Simon Bertrang and I hiked down Rodeo Flat trail from the Coast Ridge during a rain storm between Christmas and New Year, 2001. The trail was fine, but the crossing of the Arroyo Seco would have been nearly impossible--and in any case very dangerous--had we not found a very large boulder that nearly spans the entire river about 100 yards upriver from the trail crossing. Getting over the boulder involves a little maneuvering from an adjacent smaller boulder, but allows a completely dry crossing even at very high water. May get someone out of a fix at some point!! Conditions reported by: Rob Yang
Survey date: 12-January-2002
General: CLEAR TO PASSABLE
Specific:

The lower part has just the usual winter blowdowns. On my hike out, I met some USFS folks who had just cleared some of the obstacles I'd encountered hiking in a few days before. Tread is well-defined in most places, with great views of the canyon walls and the rushing white water of the creek from above as the trail ascends to the Rodeo Flat junction.

The major creek crossings were deep and cold, and I exercised extreme care - in one place I slid in up to my thighs, but I could see other spots where the very cold water was clearly much deeper. Brrr ...

About a mile up the canyon from Madrone camp I spotted clumps of ladybird beetles clinging to plant stalks, a welcome surprise.

On the upper part, coming down from Coast Ridge, the scrub vegetation was close-in and could have been painful if I wasn't wearing long sleeves/pants. There were also plentiful small pines down across the trail, most about the size of walking sticks - I attempted to clear a number of these. Otherwise, there was the usual winter blowdown. The views were grand. Conditions reported by: Jon Libby
Survey date: 3-DECEMBER-2000
General: CLEAR to PASSABLE
Specific:

The Arroyo Seco Trail is still clear to passable but there will be maintenance needed by spring to keep back the stump sprouting brush which is coming back from the burn off. There are also a couple of deadfalls which could be easily cleared with a hand saw; they are easy to get around but are driving people off of the trail. There has been some erosion at (dry) creek crossings up the trail from Madrone Camp because of increased runoff post fire.

The water flow is still low enough that all of the creek crossings are quite easy.

If you are familiar with this trail it is interesting to hike it post fire as the views are quite different with no brush along the upper portions. Also, there is a lot of fall color still from the maples, sycamores and the great abundance of berries on the madrones. Conditions reported by: Stevenson School Wilderness Expedition 2000
Survey date: APRIL-2000
General: CLEAR
Specific:

Indians-Memorial Campground to Forks Camp= WILDERNESS FREEWAY

Although Forks Campsite is not especially inviting, the trail to it from the road head is a WILDERNESS FREEWAY with only a couple of small trail slumps and rocky areas. Even poison oak is avoidable.

Forks Camp to Coast Ridge=CLEAR TO PASSABLE

After crossing the stream at the junction, the trail is clear and stays on the west side, then recrosses - don't take the use trail that continues on the east side of the river. A small dead oak dissuades you from going that way. Once across, the trail is easy to follow, though the tread is slight. It is clear all the way to Crazy Creek Flat, just before the upper crossing of the AS. Although this is an unofficial campsite, it is perfect - large and flat and sitting pretty in the madrones and oaks. Ten tents could fit.

On the way to the junction of the Coast Ridge and Arroyo Seco trails, a few trees have fallen as a result of the fire, but they present no real problem getting through or under or around them. This is the same with some of the dry, burned brush in a few places, though we did do a good amount of clearing. Madrone Camp is pathetic - sloped with no reasonable place for even one tent. The burned area up toward the ridge is ghostly in the fog. Up toward the ridge the trail is fine. Conditions reported by: Fred Medick and Justine McGonagle
Survey date: 8-APRIL-2000
General: CLEAR
Specific:

We parked at the Memorial Park trailhead and packed in as far as Madrone Camp. At a couple of points the trail becomes difficult to find, most notably just past Forks Camp, where a moderately challenging and unmarked stream/river crossing hides the correct trail, while a red herring heads off in another directions. Forks Camp and Madrone camp are both nice sites. Both at Madrone and along the trailed we found (and packed out) small amounts of litter. Conditions reported by: Steve Chambers
Survey date: 20-March-00
General: CLEAR TO PASSABLE
Specific:

Trailhead to Forks Camp = Clear

Fire Crews cleared this portion of trail during last year's Kirk Fires. The river crossing above the Southern Monterey County Sportsman's building can be difficult during high flows.

Forks Camp to Madrone Camp = Clear

The fire crews also cleared most of this portion of trail. The burn-out begins on the west side of the upper crossing of the AS river.

Madrone Camp to Coast Ridge Trail = Clear to passable

Above Madrone Camp the fire has burnt most vegetation for the first half of this 2 mile stretch. There are a few brushy spots and a few small burnt downfalls.