[b]Date Hiked:[/b] February 19, 2022
[b]General Condition:[/b] Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)

THIS REPORT COVERS THE SECTION FROM SANTA LUCIA MEMORIAL PARK TRAILHEAD TO THE SADDLE AT THE TURNOFF FOR THE SPUR TRAIL TO JUNIPERO SERRA PEAK

"What a difference a fire and flood makes"
The fire has really cleared a lot of brush and trees from along this trail!

Section: Trailhead to entry into canyon below saddle/spur trail junction:
This relatively flat but steady uphill section is very open and relatively easy to follow; there are a few minor washouts at some of the creekbed crossings, and just before the tractor a HUGE wash (maybe 100' feet across) now cuts perpendicularly across the trail, there was some marginal and confusing green flagging there but I put in some orange flagging which gets you directly across between where the trail enters the wash on both sides; after the tractor a little more brush and trees are around but the trail remains easy to follow

Section: canyon entry up to saddle/spur trail junction: there is some up and down on this section of trail as you cross and recross a few streams, water was flowing nicely at the traditional water spot (and that water tastes GOOD!! and this is quite a nice spot on the way down if you are running low on water as a few of us were), a lot burned in here but there is still some brush and trees (and shade!) but the trail remains easy to follow. Once you hit the steep hillside and the switchbacks up to the saddle you experience the difference from before the fire: most of the brush that you had to squeeze between and around as you negotiated these switchbacks is now gone along this entire ascent, and the saddle is almost entirely denuded (so no more tucking into that nice brush-shaded pocket to the left as you hit the saddle to escape the sun and wind, you are completely exposed up there).

[SEE CONTINUED REPORT IN MY REPORT ON THE SUMMIT SPUR TRAIL]

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] December 31, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

[i][For southern trailhead][/i]

Hiked to about 5400' on New Years Eve. Trail is still pretty easy to follow, thank you to whoever flagged it (green flagging tape). Snow on trail started around 4600' and we went around some flagged sections that required bushwacking through spikey live oak where the snow had loaded branches. Snow on the ground was already compacted, but not too icy except for an exceptionally wind-blown spot. Didn't make it to the traverse to the summit, turned around to get down before sunset and to get out of the wind.

Trails through the meadows were wet, though some parts dried out substantially throughout the day.

One tick found on dog, 5 on a human, 0 on other human. No bites.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] November 22, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

This is my first time to Ventana, so I'm not 100% sure about the rating, but I believe this trail is somewhere between passable and difficult between the tractor and switchbacks. The trail is faint in places and there are significant deadfalls blocking the trail along with a good amount of encroaching brush - not many signs of trail maintenance in this section. With that being said, it appears to be getting a fair amount of usage such that there are almost always use trails around the major deadfalls. In a couple of places, there isn't a way around the deadfall, but I found it trivial to hop over these deafalls and they were flagged. I only lost the trail once - at 36.13300, -121.43053 where the trail disappears in a sea of vetch. However, there was a burned post upstream from this. It was easy enough to walk up to the post and from there the trail was once again evident. In other places, I was briefly confused as to where the trail went, but with careful observation I felt that, other than the aforementioned place, I was never off the trail.

From the trailhead to the tractor, the trail was clear and easy to follow. Grasses were obscuring some of the trail, but it was always evident.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] May 14, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]

[b]Description:[/b]

VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers and Trail Crew have been working on the Santa Lucia Trail with the permission of the USFS from the Indians Station. Today a Volunteer Ranger and Trail Crew Leader surveyed the trail from Indians to the top of Junipero Serra Peak. The entire trail burned severely and is now experiencing significant growth in just a few months. A GPS with the trail track loaded may be very helpful when navigating this trail.

[b]Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[b]Indians Trailhead to Adobe Jct. -[/b] Passable - All downed trees have been cleared to the Jct. But with the rampant growth a couple of sections of trail are now covered in grass or vetch. The trail starts out across the meadow to Kilburn Creek. The wood planks are still there to help you cross; one plank has burned. After crossing the creek you come to a fork. Take the fork that goes straight, not the one to the right. The trail crosses the meadow, then turns left before climbing a shallow ridge, finally descending to another meadow. The vetch has taken over the wet portion of the trail at this time. The trail continues straight ahead, then descends to reach Encinales Creek. Encinales Creek had a large debris flow this winter. It is approximately 100 yards wide. Look for some flags and the old jeep road on the other side. (See Photo). Once across the debris flow, the trail climbs to the old tractor. Continue 0.2 miles to the Adobe Jct. It has been flagged; the old sign marking this point has burned, with just a pile of rocks remaining to show the junction. The route to the right, leading to the Encinales Adobe, is no longer recognizable as a road.

[b]Adobe Jct. to Summit Jct. -[/b] Difficult - At the junction turn left heading up the trail. Be sure to watch for signs of the trail. Lack of use, growth and debris may be obscuring the trail. A short distance beyond the jct. is the first of three trees across the trail to the Summit Jct. The trail crosses two small stream beds before getting steeper as it reaches Mountain Laurel Creek and a small meadow. The sign in the meadow has burned, with only the charred signpost remaining. Between the first tree down and Mountain Laurel Creek, there is a significant amount of debris and encroaching brush along the trail. Once past the meadow the trail reaches a series of switchbacks climbing 600 feet to the Summit Jct. At the start of the switchbacks, water may be found by climbing up to the right approximately 500 feet to a perennial stream. The handmade sign marking this "Last Water" has disappeared. The swithcback section of trail is off camber and has lots of small rocks on the trail. [b]Once at the Junction see the Trail Report on the "Santa Lucia Trail Peak Trail".[/b]

[b]Note:[/b] Beyond the Junipero Serra Summit Jct. to the Santa Lucia Creek end of the trail, there is no current trail information. However, this entire section burned in the Dolan Fire so expect to find a mix of completely burned areas and some very brushy areas.
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[b]Date Hiked:[/b] April 18, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]

[b]Description:[/b]
The Monterey Ranger District Forest has not reopened the Dolan Fire area, however VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers have been allowed access to survey and work on burned areas of the forest. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled from the trailhead to the debris flow just before the tractor. They swamped and removed four sets of trees along the trail. The trail remains clear for the first 2.5 miles. The debris flow crossing and trail junction just after the tractor have been flagged. There is not a good report all the way to the summit.

[b]Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[b][color=#FF0000]The Santa Lucia Trail Indians side remains closed to the general public at this time. Only authorized personnel with the approval of the USFS are allowed to access this trail corridor.[/color][/b]

[b]Trailhead to Tractor [/b]- Clear, only 1 downed oak remains just after the first ridge that is easy to navigate. The trail is rutted in many places. There is major debris flow just before the tractor. The trail across the debris flow has been flagged to the other side.
[b]Tractor to Adobe Jct. [/b]- Clear with minor encroaching brush. Mostly Yerba Santa. Portions of the trail have been flagged to better mark the trail for users.
[b]Adobe Jct. to 0.3 miles up trail[/b] - Clear with minor encroaching brush.
[b]Rest of trail to summit[/b] - A recent report only mentions gnarly burnt brush past this point. No additional information is available at this time.
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[size=85]DISCLAIMER: This report is for informational purposes only. Trail conditions may change at any time. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance assumes no liability for the use of this information.[/size]

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] April 10, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]
[b]Description:[/b]
The Monterey Ranger District Forest has not reopened the Dolan Fire area, however VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers have been allowed access to survey and work on burned areas of the forest. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled from the trailhead to just over a mile in. On their journey, they swamped and removed 6 sets of trees along the trail. The trail remains clear for the first 1.5 miles. There is not a good report all the way to the summit.

[b]Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[b][color=#FF0000]The Santa Lucia Trail Indians side remains closed to the general public at this time. Only authorized personnel with the approval of the USFS are allowed to access this trail corridor.[/color][/b]

[b]Trailhead to Tractor -[/b] Clear, only 3 to 4 downed oaks remain across the trail to reach the tractor. All are easy to navigate. The trail is rutted in many places. There is major debris flow just before the tractor. The trail across the debris flow has been flagged to the other side.
[b]Tractor to Adobe Jct. -[/b] Clear with minor encroaching brush. Mostly Yerba Santa. Portions of the trail have been flagged to better mark the trail for users.
[b]Adobe Jct. to 0.3 miles up trail -[/b] Clear with minor encroaching brush.
[b]Rest of trail to summit -[/b] A recent report only mentions gnarly burnt brush past this point. No additional information is available at this time.
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[size=85] [b]DISCLAIMER:[/b] This report is for informational purposes only. Trail conditions may change at any time. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance assumes no liability for the use of this information.
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[b]Date Hiked:[/b] March 31, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]

[b]Description:[/b]

The Monterey Ranger District Forest has partially reopened, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare opening other parts of the closed forest and are continuing their regular patrols. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled the first 2.5 miles of the Santa Lucia Trail (Indians Side). The trail is narrow and rutted in some places. There are about 15 trees down across the trail, but are easily crossed. There is one section of trail that is 100 yards long from a debris flow making making a large rocky stream bed. Rangers flagged the debris flow to make crossing easier and they also flagged the Adobe Jct. making it easier to for hikers to find their way. In addition, Rangers removed several of the downed trees and cleared a manzanita tunnel.
[b]
Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[color=#FF0000][b]The Santa Lucia Trail Indians side remains closed to the general public at this time. Only authorized personnel with the approval of the USFS are allowed to access this trail corridor.[/b][/color]

[b]Trailhead to Tractor -[/b] Clear, several downed oaks all easy to navigate. The trail is rutted in many places. Major debris flow just before the tractor.
[b]Tractor to Adobe Jct. -[/b] Clear with minor encroaching brush. Mostly yerba santa
[b]Adobe Jct. to 0.3 miles up trail -[/b] Clear with minor encroaching brush.
[b]Rest of trail to summit - [/b]No information is available at this time.

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[size=85] [b]DISCLAIMER:[/b] This report is for informational purposes only. Trail conditions may change at any time. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance assumes no liability for the use of this information.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: [url]https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/[/url]
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[b]Date Hiked:[/b] March 3, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]

[b]Forest/Trail Status:[/b] [color=#FF0000]PARTIALLY OPEN, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is partially open per Forest Order 05-07-51-21-02[/color]
[b]Current Fire Restrictions:[/b] [color=#FF0000]Campfires and Stoves are permitted in the backcountry with a valid Campfire/Stove Permit.[/color]

[b]Description:[/b]

The Monterey Ranger District Forest has partially reopened, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare opening other parts of the closed forest and are continuing their regular patrols. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled the first 1.5 miles of the Santa Lucia Trail (Indians Side). The trail is narrow and rutted. There are abut 20 trees down, from small to 20 inches in diameter. There is one section that is 100 yards long that has completely washed away making a large rocky stream bed.
[b]
Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[b][color=#FF0000]The Santa Lucia Trail Indians side remains closed to the general public at this time. Only authorized personnel with the approval of the USFS are allowed to access this trail corridor.[/color][/b]

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[size=85] [b]DISCLAIMER:[/b] This report is for informational purposes only. Trail conditions may change at any time. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance assumes no liability for the use of this information.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: [url]https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/[/url]
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit [url]https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship[/url].
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[b]Date Hiked:[/b] January 30, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]

[b]Forest/Trail Status:[/b] [color=#FF0000]PARTIALLY OPEN, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is partially open per Forest Order 05-07-51-21-02[/color]
[b]Current Fire Restrictions:[/b] [color=#FF0000]Campfires and Stoves are permitted in the backcountry with a valid Campfire/Stove Permit.[/color]

[b]Description:[/b]

The Monterey Ranger District Forest has partially reopened, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare opening other parts of the closed forest and are continuing their regular patrols. Today volunteer Rangers and trainee patrolled Santa Lucia Trail from the Arroyo Seco Trailhead to put in a sign at the junction where the Trail meets the Camp Cawatre Road. They removed one large tree that was across the trail, did spot brushing and trail slough removal.
[b]
Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[b]Arroyo Seco to Cawatre Jct. -[/b] Clear with encroaching brush.

[b]Arroyo Seco Road -[/b] Has a rock slide on it that can be traversed on foot.

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[size=85] [b]DISCLAIMER:[/b] This report is for informational purposes only. Trail conditions may change at any time. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance assumes no liability for the use of this information.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: [url]https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/[/url]
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit [url]https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship[/url].
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[b]Date Hiked:[/b] January 17, 2021
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

[b]*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***[/b]

[b]Forest/Trail Status:[/b] [color=#FF0000]CLOSED, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-20-22[/color]
[b]Current Fire Restrictions:[/b] [color=#FF0000]No Campfires allowed. Stoves are permitted in the backcountry with a valid Campfire/Stove Permit.[/color]

[b]Description:[/b]

With the Monterey Ranger District Forest still closed, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare for its reopening. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled from Arroyo Seco Campground up the Santa Lucia Trail to the Cawatre Jct. They did some minor brushing and tread work. They found one tree along the trail.
[b]
Trail conditions are as follows:[/b]

[b]Arroyo Seco to Cawatre Jct. -[/b] Passable

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[size=85] [b]DISCLAIMER:[/b] This report is for informational purposes only. Trail conditions may change at any time. The Ventana Wilderness Alliance assumes no liability for the use of this information.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: [url]https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/[/url]
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit [url]https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship[/url].
[/size]