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THANK YOU FOR READING THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION - updated April 14, 2021

Highway One Closure: Due to a washout at Rat Creek, Highway 1 is closed from just north of Lime Creek Bridge in the north to Big Creek Vista Point in the south. Expect this closure to be in place until late April, 2021. Nacimiento-Fergusson Road -- which connects Highway 1 at Kirk Creek with Fort Hunter Liggett on the eastern side of the Coast Ridge -- is significantly damaged and will be closed indefinitely. 

What's Open: NEW: The Pine Ridge Trail from Big Sur Station to Redwood Camp IS OPEN effective April 13, 2021. 

Effective January 22, 2021 U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest re-opened most unburned areas of the Monterey Ranger District. In the northern Ventana Wilderness, most lands north of and including the Marble Peak Trail are open. Wilderness trails inland can be accessed from the Arroyo Seco Recreation Area near Greenfield (off 101) and from Tassajara Road off or Carmel Valley Road). Along the coast, Wilderness trails may be accessed via the Pine Ridge Trail at Big Sur Station, the North Coast Ridge Road, the Boronda Trail, and the De Angulo Trail on Highway One.

Lands south of Willow Creek Road, including most of the Silver Peak Wilderness, are open. 

What's Closed: Click here for a map that shows the current fire closure boundaries. 

Road Closures: Del Venturi/Milpitas, Nacimiento-Fergusson, Cone Peak, Plaskett Ridge, Willow Creek/Los Burros, & South Coast Ridge Roads remain closed.

Know Before You Go: Not sure if a particular road, trail, or camp is open? Call the Monterey Ranger District at 831-385-5434. Please enjoy your public lands responsibly. Pack out everything you pack in (including toilet paper). Leave this special place better than you found it. Leave No Trace ethics are more important than ever. 

Current Fire Restrictions: Campfires and stoves are currently permitted in the backcountry. Click here for a permit and take it with you. 

State Parks: Check with individual State Parks to confirm access and for additional information. 
Open for day use: Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Garrapata State Park - Soberanes Canyon Trail, Andrew Molera State Park, Point Sur State Historic Park (tours only), and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.

Closed: Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, John Little State Natural Reserve

 

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Cruikshank Trail

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Topic review
   

Expand view Topic review: Cruikshank Trail

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by driggsy on Mon Feb 15, 2021 9:51 am

Date Hiked: February 14, 2021
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)

Very good conditions all the way from the ridge road to Cruikshank camp. No complaints at all.

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by stefanie_g on Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:13 am

Glad to hear the trail is passible! For the LionsDen camping area, do you happen to have a GPS pin or location? I keep seeing varying locations, all within a .5 miles stretch of the trail. I'm working on a project for a company called Art of the Trek and was hoping to narrow down the location a little better.



bheav wrote:Date Hiked: January 23, 2021
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

We did the whole Salmon Creek loop going clockwise. The trail was very well maintained until slightly after buckeye camp. The trail was pretty overgrown but definitely passable. We hiked all the way to lions den in the first day. Make sure if you plan on staying up there to stock up on water either at silver camp or estrella on the salmon creek side. There is no water past a certain point. After we spent the night at lions den made our way down the salmon creek trail which has tons of water after about 2 miles down. Overall the trail was in good shape and we had a great time!

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by VWA_Ranger on Fri Feb 05, 2021 8:47 am

Date Hiked: February 4, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

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

Description:

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 from Highway 1 to the Buckeye Jct. above Upper Cruickshank Camp. They cleared nine snags that had fallen across the trail. They checked upper and lower Criuckshank Camps and more. Water is available at both camps.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to top of Switchbacks. - Clear with no obstacles

Top of Switchbacks to Buckeye Trail Jct. to Estrella Camp - Clear with encroaching brush. Most of the brush is during the first 1/4 mile past the wilderness boundary.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship.
Attachments
Redwood before.jpg
Redwood snag across the trail.
Redwood after.jpg
Redwood snag after clearing.

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by bheav on Tue Jan 19, 2021 11:04 am

Date Hiked: January 23, 2021
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

We did the whole Salmon Creek loop going clockwise. The trail was very well maintained until slightly after buckeye camp. The trail was pretty overgrown but definitely passable. We hiked all the way to lions den in the first day. Make sure if you plan on staying up there to stock up on water either at silver camp or estrella on the salmon creek side. There is no water past a certain point. After we spent the night at lions den made our way down the salmon creek trail which has tons of water after about 2 miles down. Overall the trail was in good shape and we had a great time!

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by VWA_Ranger on Thu Dec 31, 2020 9:46 am

Date Hiked: December 30, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

Forest/Trail Status: CLOSED, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-20-22
Current Fire Restrictions: No Campfires, No Stoves in backcountry. Cold Camping Only.

Description:

With the Monterey Ranger District Forest still closed, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare for its reopening. Today volunteer Rangers cleared the lower section of trail from Hwy 1 to the bottom of the switchbacks heading up the hill. This section of trail is now wide open.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to top of Switchbacks. - Clear with no obstacles

Top of switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear with encroaching brush.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship.
Attachments
Cruickshank 1.jpg
Starting up the Switchbacks.
Cruickshank 2.jpg
Across the lower flat.
20201230_111721.jpg
The Trailhead.

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by VWA_Ranger on Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:41 am

Date Hiked: December 10, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

Forest/Trail Status: CLOSED, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-20-22
Current Fire Restrictions: No Campfires, No Stoves in backcountry. Cold Camping Only.

Description:

With the Monterey Ranger District Forest still closed, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare for its reopening. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled from Highway 1 to Silver Camp and beyond. Lower Cruickshank, Upper Cruickshank and Silver Camp were all clean and had a trickle of water at each camp. The trail is considered clear with encroaching brush in spots. The slide that starts at Silver Creek is still there. The tread is narrow all the way to the rocky outcropping. Step carefully when using this section of trail.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks. - Clear with no obstacles

Top of Switchback to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear with encroaching brush.

Upper Cruickshank Camp to Silver Creek - Clear with some encroaching brush.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship.
Attachments
Cruickshank 1.jpg
Lower Cruickshank Camp
Silver Camp.jpg
Silver Camp
Slide 1.jpg
Slide at Silver Creek
Slide 2.jpg
Slide near Silver Creek

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by VWA_Ranger on Fri Dec 04, 2020 9:02 am

Date Hiked: December 3, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

Forest/Trail Status: CLOSED, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-20-22
Current Fire Restrictions: No Campfires, No Stoves in backcountry. Cold Camping Only.

Description:

With the Monterey Ranger District Forest still closed, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare for its reopening. Today volunteer Rangers and Ranger Trainees patrolled from Highway 1 to Upper Cruickshank Camp. They cleaned Lower and Upper Cruickshank Camp. They made sure there were no smoldering or recent fires at each camp. Water is still trickling at both camps.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to top of Switchbacks - Clear with no obstacles

Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear with encroaching brush.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship.

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by VWA_Ranger on Wed Nov 18, 2020 9:44 am

Date Hiked: November 15, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

Forest/Trail Status: CLOSED, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-20-22
Current Fire Restrictions: No Campfires, No Stoves in backcountry. Cold Camping Only.

Description:

With the Monterey Ranger District Forest still closed, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare for its reopening. Today volunteer Rangers and Ranger Trainees patrolled from Highway 1 to Upper Cruickshank Camp. They cleaned Lower and Upper Cruickshank Camp. They made sure there were no smoldering or recent fires at each camp. Water is still trickling at both camps.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to to top of Switchbacks. - Clear with no obstacles

Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear with encroaching brush.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship.

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by VWA_Ranger on Fri Oct 30, 2020 4:03 pm

Date Hiked: October 26, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***

Forest/Trail Status: CLOSED, Los Padres Monterey Ranger District is closed per Forest Order 05-07-51-20-22
Current Fire Restrictions: No Campfires, No Stoves in backcountry. Cold Camping Only.

Description:

With the Monterey Ranger District Forest still closed, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers continue to prepare for its reopening. Today volunteer Rangers patrolled from Highway 1 to Upper Cruickshank Camp. They cleaned Lower and Upper Cruickshank Camps. Made sure there were no smoldering or recent fires at each camp. They removed a large oak that had fallen across the trail about a mile in and another small tree just before Upper Cruickshank Camp. Water is still trickling at both camps.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to top of Switchbacks - Clear with no obstacles

Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear with encroaching brush.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
The Los Padres National Forest Website can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf/
To learn more about the Volunteer VWA/USFS Ranger and Trail Crew Programs visit https://www.ventanawild.org/stewardship.
Attachments
Sharol Tree 1.jpg
Tree across trail
sharol Tree 2.jpg
Tree across trail
Sharol Tree 3.jpg
Restored trail 1.25 miles in.

Re: Cruikshank Trail

Post by gregwin99 on Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:04 pm

Date Hiked: June 22, 2020
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Section: Hiked from Lion Den Camp down to Villa Creek, to Buckeye Camp

Trail from Lion Den Camp to Villa Creek had a couple of treacherous parts due to landslides. Passable with some caution.

Clear Trail otherwise. Did not hit a water source until about a mile or 1.5 miles out. Ended up spending the day at the amazing pools by villa creek campground. Water was clear and cool!

Then went from Villa Creek to Buckeye Camp. Passed small water sources on the way. Spring at Buckeye camp was flowing. We hiked a bit farther past buckeye camp to a scenic campsite overlooking the ocean.

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