LOST VALLEY CONNECTOR TRAIL
Conditions reported by: Reed Thayer
Survey date: 3-JUNE-2007
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Section: Lost Valley Trail to Coast Ridge Trail - Clear
The connector is almost entirely free of brush, except for the actual trail section near the top where there is a little bit of poison oak encroaching on the trail.
Conditions reported by: jdoelman
Survey date: MARCH-2007
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Section: Lost Valley Camp to Lost Valley Connector (Main) Trail - Passable
The first portion we ascended a ridgeline just north of Lost Valley Camp. From Lost Valley, cross the creek and follow the trail which branches left from the mail Lost Valley Trail. This trail passes through a Lost Valley Camp overflow site, then ascends the ridgeline. This was apparently not the most used method of accessing the Lost Valley Connector as it was easy to follow, but quite brushy in places. This route led us to the main Lost Valley Connector Trail.
Section: Main Lost Valley Connector Trail - Clear
To the Coast Ridge Trail along the main Lost Valley Connector Trail was easy to follow, and had no memorable obstructions. To my surprise there was a trickle of water near the top of the trail where the trail is traversing to the Coast Ridge Trail. To get the water into a water bottle would require a half pipe, or some other technology (maybe a water filter suction tube would do it?)
Conditions reported by:
Lindsay Jeffers - Stevenson Wilderness Program
Survey date: 8-MARCH-2005
General: WILDERNESS FREEWAY
Specific:
Wilderness freeway except some brush and sloping footbed at very top near the Coast Ridge Trail. The bottom part, a continuation of the Lost Valley Trail, has some very steep sections that are slippery when wet.
Conditions reported by:
Alex
Survey date: 15-FEB-2004
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Section: Lost Valley Connector
Clear, but parts have turned into a stream bed which makes for awkward
walking. It's easy to follow the trail though as it simply follows the
ridge. At the intersection with the Lost Valley Trail there is a sign which
does not mention the connector, although somebody has faintly etched LVC
into it. At the intersection with the Coast Ridge Trail there is a mostly
collapsed sign.
Conditions reported by:
Steve Wilson
Survey date: 28-MAR-2003
General: PASSABLE
Specific:
Clear, but rated passable here due to steepness and pockets of crumbling
conglomerate which decomposes into ball bearings. Seasonal stream observed
about 100 yards from Coast Ridge Trail. Most is old dozer line, but some
trail sections exist, clearly marked with ducks etc. where the trail
divurges from the old cut.
Conditions reported by:
Stevenson School Wilderness Expedition
Survey date: FEB-2002
General: PASSABLE
Specific:
Coast Ridge Trail to Lost Valley Camp: The trail begins with a sloping foot
bed and overhanging poison oak, but continues down the ridge with only
steepness and gravelly surfaces as an obstacle. Most people find this route
easier to go down than to come up.
Conditions reported by: Stevenson School Wilderness Expedition 2000
Survey date: APRIL-2000
General: CLEAR
Specific:
Downed and broken brush from the fire fighting covers the start of the
trail at the Coast Ridge, and there is a huge poison oak bush at the spot where one steps
down onto the Connector. Otherwise, the Lost Valley Connector is in
fine shape, except for a couple of brushy spots at the start and a
slender tread on the section that climbs the northwest slope to reach
the first ridge top before starting down the extended firebreak into Lost
Valley.
