The ride from the Indians to Arroyo Seco on the car-free, abandoned Arroyo-Seco Indians Road is one of the best rides in central California. Amazing views, nice mix of up, down and mellow flats through the heart of the Santa Lucia Mountains with no cars to fuss with. Route should be designated a Nat...

Just got a call in here to the VWA office from Murdock at the Nacimiento Forest Service Fire Station. He reported that he just walked the Prewitt Trail and there were 25 trees down with one huge one in the middle section. The trees get bad about and hour in from the southern trailhead and an hour an...

Date Hiked: October 10, 2011 General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread) Just got a call in here to the VWA office from Murdock at the Nacimiento Forest Service Fire Station. He reported that he just walked the Prewitt Trail and there were 25 trees down with one huge on...

The closure of the gate just past Memorial Camp at the Arroyo Seco crossing makes the road to Escondido into a first class bike route. Also, good to see folks take advantage of the closure by walking (and biking) their gear into a peaceful and largely empty Escondido camp.

Date Hiked: September 18, 2011 General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined) This report is for the Skinner Ridge Trail through to Pat Springs Camp. From September 14th to 18th, the Fire & Fuels Crew from Rancho Cielo in Salinas partnered with VWA and the Forest Service to clea...

It's worth noting that when campgrounds are outsourced to a concessionaire ("privatized") very little to none of the funds generated from campsite fees at those sites stay with the Forest. However, when the FS manages a campground themselves 85 cents of every dollar charged stays on that F...

See this recent article in the Salinas Californian: http://www.thecalifornian.com/article/20110922/NEWS01/110922015/Comments-sought-campground-toilet-replacement Looks like the water at Kirk Creek may be another victim of dwindling federal resources available for public lands. Wonder if the price ch...

This remembrance that Boon posted was penned largely by Pat Bailey, MRD Wilderness Manager. Thanks, Pat. Those who care about Wilderness and public lands need to do what we can to make sure there is still a place for people like Sal - people who embody a love of Wilderness and are Rangers in the tru...

Date Hiked: August 12, 2011 General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident) This report is for the two miles of the Santa Lucia Trail from south Camp Cawatre. Thanks to the FS for placing a "Trail" sign at the junction of the Camp Cawatre Trail and the Santa Lucia...

Date Hiked: August 12, 2011 General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined) Walked up from South Abbott Lakes to the Adobe. Trail is good shape considering it's somewhat hidden nature. On the south facing side of the saddle, deerweed is quickly covering the trail, but the tread is st...