[b]Date Hiked:[/b] July 17, 2026
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Trail Report – County Line Road to Murray Mine Track and Mt Mars

This is a report on work done along the access trail connecting County Line Road (the ridge route between Baldwin Ranch Road and Ragged Point) to the Murray Mine track, which connects Highway 1 over the ridge, past Murray Mine, and on to the Spruce Creek/San Carpóforo Trail.

County Line Road, marking the border between San Luis Obispo and Monterey Counties, is an amazing ridge route with broad views of the Pacific, the lighthouse, Dutra Valley, and out toward Three Peaks. The path undulates over gentle rises and dips, passing solitary oaks, short view spurs, and interesting rock formations. As it approaches Mt Mars, the route enters denser stands of pines and massive ancient oaks.

The old road down toward Murray Mine and beyond is generally passable, with a few steep tread sections and a very steep descent into the Dutra Creek drainage. Murray Mine is a World War II–era mercury (cinnabar) mine that operated into the 1950s, producing an element essential to wartime industry and used in every thermostat of that era.

Continuing straight uphill where County Line Road meets the Murray Mine track, the Mt Mars use trail is well defined. After a few hours of brushing and lopper work, it is now very passable. Most of the route lies under a tree canopy with years of leaf fall softening the tread. Poison oak patches have been pushed back, and a few blowdown step‑overs remain, but the grade is ideal for steady elevation gain.

Higher up, the trail emerges from the canopy into a more brushy zone interspersed with small stands of pine. A false summit leads through a short tunnel and then up another incline. Near the true summit, a rock‑marked junction appears where the Mt Mars traverse splits off; it connects the summit directly to the Spruce Creek Trail near Salmon Creek. The upper portion of this ridge route has been brushed, but there is still more push‑through and notably more sun exposure along this line. It does, however, avoid the elevation loss and regain associated with the Murray Mine route.

Mt Mars is one of the most scenic routes in Big Sur, often blessed with a cool coastal breeze and wide‑open views past the lighthouse and beyond.

Historical notes

The name “Mars Mount” may echo the famous hill overlooking the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, often mentioned in historical and biblical contexts. From the summit, the trail drops quickly down a grass‑covered slope toward Thorndyke Top, named for Captain Lorin Thorndyke of Maine, who served as principal keeper of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse for 27 years, from 1879 to 1906.

From Thorndyke Top, a route descends to Highway 1 or follows the contour north to reconnect with the main Salmon Creek Trail. According to a pre–Highway 1 map from 1922, this alignment formed part of the “Upper Coastal Trail,” which split from the “Lower Coastal Trail” just past the location of the present‑day Ragged Point Inn. The two routes rejoin above the current Salmon Creek Station (Ray Evans Ranch on the 1922 map), then diverge where the modern Buckeye Trail heads inland over the Redwood Gulch drainage to the old Cruikshank Ranch, and then over Villa Creek toward the Los Burros mining district. From there, the old Los Burros Trail heads toward the San Antonio Mission and Jolon.

The Lower Coastal Trail continued from the Evans Brothers cow camp just past Redwood Gulch, followed close to what is now the Cruikshank Trail, and rejoined the upper route at the old homestead. From there, they divide again at the saddle now associated with the Alder Creek Trail, skim the flank of San Martin Top, and descend the south fork of Willow Creek, continuing north along the coast past the areas now known as Plaskett and Gorda.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] May 23, 2026
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Dutra Flats Use Trail – Baldwin Ranch Road to Dutra Homestead

After coming down the Dutra Flats/Three Peaks Trail a few weeks ago, I went back to explore and rehab the Dutra Flats Use Trail. This route can serve as a shortcut for hikers looking to make a loop from Salmon Creek: from Dutra Camp down to Ragged Point, or up County Line Road to Mars Mountain and then down the Twitchell “Elevator” (or slide).

The entry point from Baldwin Ranch Road has been hard to locate without GPS. Coming down the road, as you drop into the first grassy meadow, continue to the south. After passing through two narrow “tree curtains,” you reach a larger meadow off the road to the east. The use‑trail entry is here, now marked with ribbons, and I’ve clipped back the poison oak around it. You’ll first encounter a log lying parallel to the path; shortly after that, the tread becomes very evident and is surprisingly well cleared. Just a few easy log hops.

Traversing north in the Dutra Creek drainage, you soon reach a curved switchback and then the trail arcs back toward the north to a river crossing. Water is always here. After rock‑hopping across the creek, the path bends northeast, away from the water. The route alternates between open meadows and brushy pinch points, but the tread remains easy to follow. As you ascend past a small drainage, the trail splits: one option climbs steeply to the right (east), or you can continue on the main path, cross a minor drainage, and then switchback up to rejoin the steeper line on a ridgeline marked by several massive old oaks.

From here, you enter a broad grassland zone. First, aim for a rock outcrop with a cairn on top straight up the ridgeline. From that point, follow one of several game/old cow paths angling up the slope to the east. Your target is a small shoulder with a large tree on each side; there, you pick up a clear tread again that leads into the Dutra Flats area. After a short brush tunnel, you emerge onto the large flat. This area is anchored by a massive pine on the south side, which is an excellent landmark and helps orient hikers to where this use trail begins and ends.

A visible tread crosses the flat and climbs to meet the Spruce Creek Trail, and from there to Dutra Camp and the Three Peaks Trail. Skirting the meadow, which is surrounded by some huge trees, I found a bathtub‑sized pool in the drainage coming down from Dutra Spring and those old homestead fruit trees.(Thanks, Jack!)

Even with the very steep grassland segment, once the tread is located, this use trail is a solid option for many hikers and campers—especially those with a meal waiting at Ragged Point Inn.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] October 3, 2025
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Did this on a day hike from Estrella Camp on Salmon Creek Trail, up to South Coast Ridge Road then down Dutra Trail and finally along Spruce Creek Trail. Took us 5½ hours plus an hour for stops.

Spruce Creek Trail was all good, from the meadows when leaving Dutra Flats Camp to the forest along Spruce Creek.

Spruce Creek Camp looked good, including the pit latrine, but we didn't stop. There's a section each side of the river crossing.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] April 13, 2025
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

This report is for the section from Baldwin Ranch Rd to Dutra Trail. The trail goes from passable to clear as you approach Dutra trail. From Baldwin Ranch to Turkey Springs Camp there is intermittent brush and plenty of poison oak. Some very nice views after Turkey Springs and a few blue signal tapes for intermittent guidance.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] March 29, 2025
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

We hiked from the Salmon Creek Trail junction to Dutra Flat. I last hiked this trail in April '24 and conditions are slightly better now.

Section: Salmon Creek to Spruce Canyon/Dutra Valley saddle: Clear. The one nasty large deadfall about 1/3 of the way up has been cleared and there are currently no meaningful obstacles. Lots of PO along the way, most avoidable but encroaching in a few place. At the old slide where several trees came down (which I and some other VWA folks cut a few years ago still requires walking across the old streambed along a downed tree (or you can work your way by going down along the left side (when going in uphill direction).

Section: Saddle to Dutra Flat Camp: Clear to Wilderness Freeway. As was the case last year, due to the heavy rains, there is a lot of water in the ground in the area near Dutra Flat Camp and beyond so it can be a bit mushy in places. Water was flowing from the pipe at the spring outlet across from camp. The table is still standing at camp.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] August 31, 2024
[b]General Condition:[/b] Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)

Hiked Spruce Creek Trail southeast from Salmon Creek trail junction to 1/2 mile past Turkey Springs Camp

Section: Salmon Creek Junction to Dutra Saddle: Passable to Clear. Several treefalls and tread missing in a couple of spots where the landslide occurred. Recent tree clearing is evident on trail.

Section: Dutra Saddle to Dutra Flat Camp: Wilderness Freeway. Dutra Flat Camp in good shape. Water flowing steadily at the spring as of late August.

Section: Dutra Flat Camp to Turkey Springs: Passable to Difficult. Faint to invisible tread in several open fields, obvious in others. Faint tread last 1/4 mile to Turkey Springs Camp. Camp in good shape (see attached photos), with a new picnic table, intact fire grill, shovel, and water bucket. Stream was flowing strongly as of late August.

Section: Turkey Springs to 1/2 mile past camp: Passable to Difficult. Lost the trail about 1/2 mile below Turkey Springs Camp. Did not make it to Baldwin Ranch Road.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] April 20, 2024
[b]General Condition:[/b] Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

We hiked from the Salmon Creek Trail Junction to Dutra Flat Camp.
Section: canyon section up to the Dutra Saddle: Passable to Clear, the recent VWA saw trip removed most of the obstacles, I had my small handsaw and removed branches that were blocking the trail in two spots, and there remain two large trees (~2.5'-3' diameter) across the trail, and a few other smaller trees to go over or under depending on your preference and height. Tread is always visible despite some brush encroachment in places (including the ever-present poison oak).
Section: Dutra Saddle to Dutra Flat Camp: Wilderness highway, with the trail being a bit soggy in the approach to camp due to the high amount of water in the hillside. Water was flowing nicely from the pipe at Buckeye Camp. We saw nobody on the trail or at camp.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] February 25, 2024
[b]General Condition:[/b] Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)

VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers patrolled the Salmon Creek and Spruce Creek trails after the recent storms. In short, once you get onto the Spruce Creek Trail, the trail becomes difficult until you reach the open meadow at the top of the canyon there are many trees down. You also need to navigate the last edge of the Spruce Creek Slide as described in the previous report.

Attached are a few pictures of the many downed trees and slide area.

Also it is a new year. be sure to get a 2024 Campfire/Stove Permit if you are planning to stay overnight.

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] January 28, 2024
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

We hiked this trail from the Salmon Creek Trail to about 3/4 miles past Dutra Flat Camp.

Section: Salmon Creek Trail to Spruce/Dutra Saddle: Difficult to Passable. This would be difficult for a backpacker but is more passable for a day hiker. There are numerous trees down in the first 3/4 to 1 mile of this section, climbovers and climbunders of various sizes. The "historic slide" area (about .6-.7 miles up, you'll know it when you see it) has held up well as you can still cross under the big tree that was cut a few years ago and then cross the creeklet that flows from the right on a log (or by stepping down and walking next to the log). Once you get to the switchbacks things are much more clear.

Section: Spruce/Dutra Saddle to Dutra Flat Camp: Clear, but several of the meadow are a bit muddy. Water is flowing nicely from the pipe at Dutra Flat Camp. Several in my group who hadn't been there before filtered their water flowing from pipe, I did not (I've always gotten water from the pipe without filtering), no ill effects to me as of now.

Section: Dutra Camp to where we turned off (near Dutra Homestead): Clear but the ground is pretty saturated and muddy at various spots along here and the cow footprints are annoying

[b]Date Hiked:[/b] May 21, 2023
[b]General Condition:[/b] Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Faint Tread/Tread Evident. Went back out realized my mistake from the weekend before and did a 17.5 mile loop going up Baldwin Ranch Road, down the Murray Mine Track, and up to Dutra Flat. I took San Carpoforo Trail from Dutra Flat down to Baldwin Ranch Road. I realized I got lost on/off San Carpoforo Trail last weekend by following a cow trail that did not stay high enough on the grassy area and I crossed a few ravines through riparian ecosystems that have clearly had branches cut by a saw. That trail ended in an area where cows lie down. This time, I used an app called Komoot and followed the Spruce Creek Trail on it as best as I could. The trail mostly stayed true to it, but I had to do some route finding of my own. I would find trail tread, a rock cairn, an overgrown camp, basically some faint signs of human activity here and there. Definitely a far cry from how I remember the trail ten years ago when the tread was in great shape and I never had to glance at a map. I think map skills are useful, but the line on any map is just a concept. San Carpoforo Trail is becoming a route/concept trail. I still really enjoyed it, but I don't think a lot of people would. There wasn't any bushwhacking in the traditional sense. Baldwin Ranch Road was just graded. Plenty of water available on trail at this time. I sometimes carried a liter as a precaution but probably never needed to carry more than half a liter and could probably have gotten away with carrying little to no water and just hydrating at available streams. Though I would only recommend this if used to hiking/running this way in more comfortable environments. I only mention this because I was astounded by the amount of available sources this time of year.