Date Hiked: October 2, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Did the sections from Cruickshank Camp to Lion Den Camp and up to South Coast Ridge Road. Then took Salmon Creek Trail down to Estrella Camp. Took us just over 3¾ hours plus over an hour of stops to enjoy the views and put packs down for a moment.
The trail was all good, with perhaps the occasional fallen tree and short detour around it. Two of the stream crossings had water in them.
We'd been in Cruickshank Camp the night before. Nice spot under the trees by the picnic table, and just a short walk to the 'water coming out of a tree', i.e. the little stream that winds through a redwood. There was just about enough of a flow to fill our filters. Coming from Buckeye it wasn't easy at first to find this camping spot and we nearly settled for less satisfactory open spaces for camping near the southern junction between Cruickshank and Buckeye Trails. The better place is near the northern junction.
Lion Den Camp looked a great place to camp but we didn't stop. We just enjoyed the views southwest to the ocean. Barely a trickle of water.
Cruikshank Trail
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michh
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: September 26, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Buckeye Trail to Silver Peak Usetrail entrance. Easy to follow and mostly clear the whole way, some overgrowth near Buckeye and the recent storm has slightly washed out some of the rocky sections of the trail, which were slower to pass than they were in August.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Buckeye Trail to Silver Peak Usetrail entrance. Easy to follow and mostly clear the whole way, some overgrowth near Buckeye and the recent storm has slightly washed out some of the rocky sections of the trail, which were slower to pass than they were in August.
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dougmajor
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: May 24, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
This is a report on the use trail section from Lions Den to the top of Silver Peak, the wilderness's namesake.
The trail from the South Coast Road portion down to Lions Den is cleared and mildly clipped, and a deadfall has been removed from it. There is good water flow at Lions Den Camp, with some of the Poison Oak that is always there cut back from the trail. Two of the three campsites were taken at the Den.
The trail is in good shape from the campsite to the unique Sargent Cyperss stand ("doghair thicket"), where it separates at an unmarked junction. The route to Villa Creek goes down into the drainage, and the trail to Silver Peak follows the ridge.
There are portions of this trail that are road-wide, but then it narrows into a more brushed-out section. Those had been cleared a few years ago and have now been looped for clear passage. The almost quarter-mile "pine needle" tunnel is in remarkably good shape. There are some "duck downs", but they are in good shade, with minimal new growth and good tread. This trail presents many false summits, pine stands, as it goes to Silver Peak. A cairn marks a small side trail to the peak with its marker and a summit recording box. It looks like the usage is increasing, with written comments recorded every month or two. Beyond the summit to the west, it seems like the trail is in the same condition, with large areas of clear ridge and entering sections of brush.
This Memorial Weekend, there was very high usage, with the Salmon Creek parking lot full. I passed three large groups of young people, some smaller groups, and one single person going up to Silver Peak. It was a great day in the wilderness.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
This is a report on the use trail section from Lions Den to the top of Silver Peak, the wilderness's namesake.
The trail from the South Coast Road portion down to Lions Den is cleared and mildly clipped, and a deadfall has been removed from it. There is good water flow at Lions Den Camp, with some of the Poison Oak that is always there cut back from the trail. Two of the three campsites were taken at the Den.
The trail is in good shape from the campsite to the unique Sargent Cyperss stand ("doghair thicket"), where it separates at an unmarked junction. The route to Villa Creek goes down into the drainage, and the trail to Silver Peak follows the ridge.
There are portions of this trail that are road-wide, but then it narrows into a more brushed-out section. Those had been cleared a few years ago and have now been looped for clear passage. The almost quarter-mile "pine needle" tunnel is in remarkably good shape. There are some "duck downs", but they are in good shade, with minimal new growth and good tread. This trail presents many false summits, pine stands, as it goes to Silver Peak. A cairn marks a small side trail to the peak with its marker and a summit recording box. It looks like the usage is increasing, with written comments recorded every month or two. Beyond the summit to the west, it seems like the trail is in the same condition, with large areas of clear ridge and entering sections of brush.
This Memorial Weekend, there was very high usage, with the Salmon Creek parking lot full. I passed three large groups of young people, some smaller groups, and one single person going up to Silver Peak. It was a great day in the wilderness.
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Emalkauskas
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: May 11, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Quick one-night backpacking trip on the Cruickshank trail from Hwy 1 to Villa Creek camp - trail is well defined and passable, however brush overgrowth is creeping in particularly within the first couple of miles. Decent amount of poison oak and ticks present. Villa Creek is flowing with ample water present. Many beautiful wildflowers in bloom right now!
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Quick one-night backpacking trip on the Cruickshank trail from Hwy 1 to Villa Creek camp - trail is well defined and passable, however brush overgrowth is creeping in particularly within the first couple of miles. Decent amount of poison oak and ticks present. Villa Creek is flowing with ample water present. Many beautiful wildflowers in bloom right now!
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Logan
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: April 13, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
South Coast Ridge Road to Buckeye Trail. Clear all the way, mild to moderate poison oak.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
South Coast Ridge Road to Buckeye Trail. Clear all the way, mild to moderate poison oak.
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dougmajor
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: August 31, 2024
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
This is in response to the report this month of "More overgrown past Silver Camp until you reach the ridge near Lion's Den."
I spent the day clearing the trail from Lions Den to Silver Camp. The distance was clipped, and the fallen burned/dead brush was removed from the trail. Three larger blowdowns will require more serious equipment than I had, but they are easy to navigate.
This trail is truly remarkable. Its tread is passable but narrow, and its steady incline makes it easier to hike uphill than the Salmon Creek trail. Amazing trees and views, with most of the trail in a shade tunnel, make it very pleasant on a hot day.
Water is present at Lions Den, one upper ravine, and three lower drainages, including Silver Camp. Active bee/wasp hives were buzzing at several of these water holes, so there may be issues getting water at some locations, not at the camp. Some pesty insects are in some places, which is usual for this time of year. Care was taken to clip any intruding poison oak, so this part of the trail is "short pants" ready!
I was expecting some campers this Labor Day weekend, but when I returned to Lions Den Camp at the end of the day, I only encountered one couple. It was a wonderful solitude.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
This is in response to the report this month of "More overgrown past Silver Camp until you reach the ridge near Lion's Den."
I spent the day clearing the trail from Lions Den to Silver Camp. The distance was clipped, and the fallen burned/dead brush was removed from the trail. Three larger blowdowns will require more serious equipment than I had, but they are easy to navigate.
This trail is truly remarkable. Its tread is passable but narrow, and its steady incline makes it easier to hike uphill than the Salmon Creek trail. Amazing trees and views, with most of the trail in a shade tunnel, make it very pleasant on a hot day.
Water is present at Lions Den, one upper ravine, and three lower drainages, including Silver Camp. Active bee/wasp hives were buzzing at several of these water holes, so there may be issues getting water at some locations, not at the camp. Some pesty insects are in some places, which is usual for this time of year. Care was taken to clip any intruding poison oak, so this part of the trail is "short pants" ready!
I was expecting some campers this Labor Day weekend, but when I returned to Lions Den Camp at the end of the day, I only encountered one couple. It was a wonderful solitude.
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obamabamarambo
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: August 10, 2024
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Hiked Cruikshank from the trailhead up to Lion's Den camp on August 10, 2024. Trail was definitely passable the whole way but poison oak and other plants were encroaching over the trail at points. More overgrown past Silver Camp until you reach the ridge near Lion's Den. Small section (10-20 ft) of trail is covered by a small slide past Silver Camp, but we were able safely pass with no issue. The rocks on the wall provide some stability. A few trees fallen along the path but they weren't a problem.
Water access was pretty good for August, especially at lower elevation camps. Lion's Den had a trickle of a stream next to camp but we were able to fill up. Lion's Den and the whole top of the ridge was very hot compared to the hike up! We barely needed sleeping bags for the night.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Hiked Cruikshank from the trailhead up to Lion's Den camp on August 10, 2024. Trail was definitely passable the whole way but poison oak and other plants were encroaching over the trail at points. More overgrown past Silver Camp until you reach the ridge near Lion's Den. Small section (10-20 ft) of trail is covered by a small slide past Silver Camp, but we were able safely pass with no issue. The rocks on the wall provide some stability. A few trees fallen along the path but they weren't a problem.
Water access was pretty good for August, especially at lower elevation camps. Lion's Den had a trickle of a stream next to camp but we were able to fill up. Lion's Den and the whole top of the ridge was very hot compared to the hike up! We barely needed sleeping bags for the night.
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Peter
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: January 15, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Hiked the Cruikshank trail section as part of a counter-clockwise loop starting at the Buckeye trailhead. The trail in this section is overall in good condition. There are a few sections where the trail is washed out, but they were easy to navigate.
Silver Camp and Lion Den camp are in great condition and there's water flowing very well at both camps. Someone put a PVC pipe in the creek next to Silver camp which makes water collection very easy. Water is flowing well in other sections of the trail as well. Saw some banana slugs on the trail.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Hiked the Cruikshank trail section as part of a counter-clockwise loop starting at the Buckeye trailhead. The trail in this section is overall in good condition. There are a few sections where the trail is washed out, but they were easy to navigate.
Silver Camp and Lion Den camp are in great condition and there's water flowing very well at both camps. Someone put a PVC pipe in the creek next to Silver camp which makes water collection very easy. Water is flowing well in other sections of the trail as well. Saw some banana slugs on the trail.
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geoffvirtue
- Posts: 29
- Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2020 11:10 pm
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: October 28, 2023
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Hiked from Lion's Den down to Buckeye Trail. Most sections are clear, with one or two downed trees and evident but steep tread around them. Very cruisey and the trail is in good use. Ran into probably 6 folks as we came down.
Saw what looked to be a hunter up above and off trail from Silver Camp, cruised past him since I'm not familiar with hunting seasons for Monterey Ranger District and he had a gun/didn't look very chatty.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Hiked from Lion's Den down to Buckeye Trail. Most sections are clear, with one or two downed trees and evident but steep tread around them. Very cruisey and the trail is in good use. Ran into probably 6 folks as we came down.
Saw what looked to be a hunter up above and off trail from Silver Camp, cruised past him since I'm not familiar with hunting seasons for Monterey Ranger District and he had a gun/didn't look very chatty.
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VWA_Ranger
- Posts: 117
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 4:41 pm
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: September 16, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Had a chance to explore the Trail from HWY 1 to the Buckeye/Lion Den Jct. above Upper Cruickshank Camp. Since other reports most of the downed trees have been removed, the remaining can be easily ducked under or climbed stepped over at this time. Upon reaching Upper Cruickshank Camp, there is a cluster of limbs over the original trail. People are walking around them.
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks - Wilderness Freeway to Clear, the lowest section to the Switchbacks is now wide open. The switchbacks are also clear all the way to the Wilderness Boundary Sign.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Passable, the 1/2 mile past the wilderness boundary sign has lots of encroaching brush pushing folks to the edge of the trail. The trail has been heavily used making the tread easy to follow. Most of the downed trees have been removed. Remaining trees are easy to navigate. There has been a fair amount of minor trimming making the going much easier the wilderness boundary sign. Also, some portions of the trail were brushed putting the tread back onto its original tread. Once you reach the snowberries the trail is basically clear all the way to the Buckeye Jct.
There is water flowing at both Lower and Upper Cruickshank Camps.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Had a chance to explore the Trail from HWY 1 to the Buckeye/Lion Den Jct. above Upper Cruickshank Camp. Since other reports most of the downed trees have been removed, the remaining can be easily ducked under or climbed stepped over at this time. Upon reaching Upper Cruickshank Camp, there is a cluster of limbs over the original trail. People are walking around them.
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks - Wilderness Freeway to Clear, the lowest section to the Switchbacks is now wide open. The switchbacks are also clear all the way to the Wilderness Boundary Sign.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Passable, the 1/2 mile past the wilderness boundary sign has lots of encroaching brush pushing folks to the edge of the trail. The trail has been heavily used making the tread easy to follow. Most of the downed trees have been removed. Remaining trees are easy to navigate. There has been a fair amount of minor trimming making the going much easier the wilderness boundary sign. Also, some portions of the trail were brushed putting the tread back onto its original tread. Once you reach the snowberries the trail is basically clear all the way to the Buckeye Jct.
There is water flowing at both Lower and Upper Cruickshank Camps.
