Ventana Wilderness Forums

Date Hiked: June 3, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Hiked from Hwy 1 on Buckeye Trail ->Cruikshank->S. Coast Ridge Rd->Salmon Creek Trail as a loop. The first section of Buckeye is extremely brushy and overgrown as you climb from the road. There is a lot of poison oak there and past that point. I also pulled a tick off of me and had a reaction (getting antibiotics) , so wear long pants/sleeves and get a bite checked out if it looks concerning. There are many downed trees throughout the trail and slides on the trail, but nowhere that is impassable. Water sources are flowing at every camp. The longest stretch between water sources is Lion's Den to Estrella camp. Other than that, it was wonderful to be back now that HWY 1 has been opened enough. It was not too crowded, wildflowers were in bloom, and beautiful views all around.

Date Hiked: April 2, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

I hiked from South Coast Ridge Road (by way of Three Peaks), down to the Spruce Creek Trail junction. No idea what things are like below there. The last time I hiked this trail was in May 2017, just for reference.

The upper section in the chaparral was very pleasant, and seemed to be holding up nicely. Some sections were a bit loose, probably due to erosion.

There were a few small blowdowns as I descended to Estrella, and there was the same section of steep, loose scree where you have to kick steps and/or be careful. Estrella seemed to be very pleasant, and with some judicious routefinding I did not have to use my water shoes to cross.

I went to go look at the waterfall below Estrella, and it was going full blast, very nice. The slopes were still a bit moist, so that might have helped with footing.

There were an assortment of blowdowns on the way down to Spruce Camp, and a washout with some downed trees where it looks like folks have been (very) carefully descending below the trail. There was one section that was washed out, but with some downed trees. One of the trees had a fresh flag labelled "killer tree" (or so it looked). Also some steep, narrow parts, but that is nothing new.

The crossing just before Spruce Camp looked a bit spicy in boots if I wanted to keep them dry, so I crossed in water shoes. Spruce Camp looked dark, wet, and not particularly inviting.

A switchback above Spruce Camp appeared to have washed out. There was a flag and what looked like a fresh detour (steep). Not much else to report on the way to the junction.

Date Hiked: December 13, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

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

Description:

This came from another hiker.

Since the December storms multiple trees have come down across the Salmon Creek Trail after many were cleared by USFS/VWA Volunteer Rangers last month. We know of a few trees above Spruce Camp, but there may be more at this time along any section of the trail. We do not have the exact locations. Also, just past Estrella Camp a fair amount of scree has come down across some steep sections of trail. The trail is still easy to follow, just with more obstacles which might make travel more difficult.

If you travel this trail all we can say is error on the side of safety and turn around if the trail is above your ability to cross. Be safe out there. Happy Hiking.
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Date Hiked: July 29, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

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

Description:

VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers were out patrolling the Salmon Creek Trail in the Silver Peak Wilderness. Unfortunately, they reported that many folks continue to ignore the current "Fire Restrictions", by having campfires that are not permitted at this time. One campfire was still smoldering when they arrived. It only takes on careless user to ruin and destroy the forest for the rest of us.

Please do your part to protect this wonderful and valuable resource. Help keep things nice, have a valid campfire/Stove permit, pack out all your gear, trash and TP. Leave a place nicer than you found it. Water is available at Spruce and Estrella camps.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Jct. - Clear, minor encroaching brush. A short section of trail has fallen away between second and third canyon crossing. This section of trail is easily crossed.

Spruce Creek Jct. to Estrella Camp - Passable, there are at least 10 trees down clustered in multiple snags along this section of trail as noted in the previous report. One may require crawling under to get by. Water is available at Both Spruce and Estrella Camp.

Estrella Camp. to SCRR - Passable, with encroaching brush and some minor slides. No water can be found along this section of trail.
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Date Hiked: June 22, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

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

Description:

Over the past week, VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers Patrolled many trails in the Silver Peak Wilderness. Upon returning they reported that many folks have chosen to ignore the current "Fire Restrictions", by having campfires that are not permitted at this time. It only takes on careless user to ruin and destroy the forest for the rest of us.

Please do your part to protect this wonderful and valuable resource. Help keep things nice, have a valid campfire/Stove permit, pack out all your gear, trash and TP. Leave a place nicer than you found it. Water is available at Spruce and Estrella camps.

Trail conditions are as follows:

Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Jct. - Clear, minor encroaching brush. A short section of trail has fallen away between second and third canyon crossing. This section of trail is easily crossed.

Spruce Creek Jct. to Estrella Camp - Passable, there are multiple snags along this section of trail as noted in the previous report. One may require crawling under to get by. Water is available at Both Spruce and Estrella Camp.

Estrella Camp. to SCRR - Passable, with encroaching brush and some minor slides. No water can be found along this section of trail.
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Date Hiked: May 13, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Friends and I spent three days hiking the "loop" from Salmon Creek to Cruikshank to Buckeye where we met the highway at Salmon Creek Ranger Station. This report is for Salmon Creek Trail only.

From Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Camp, the trail is a wilderness freeway. The first half mile is a gradual climb and exposed with ocean views. The trail then is wonderfully shaded under bay laurel canopy for approximately three miles before opening up to the sun again and expansive canyon views.

The trail between Spruce Creek Camp and Estrella is passable with good tread. There are four down trees in this section and most are easy to step over or around or under. One tree is a bit branch-jamy and, if you are taller than 5 ft, you may need to take off your pack to get through. There are also one or two narrow tread spots.

After Estrella Camp the trail becomes exposed to sun and views and will seem more arid.
This section of trail is clear all the way to the South Coast Ridge Road.

There is poison oak along the trail but it is mostly avoidable.

Plenty of running water in both camps.

Date Hiked: April 10, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Lots of water and good camp options at Estrella camp. Please look around more for the wilderness toilet, because the usual area used to do your business has exposed toilet tissues all over the place. It looked kind of bad and it would be hard to find a good spot.

Easy drop from Estrella back to Highway 1. Some slippery slope and a couple of down trees along the way. Nice visiting spot at the Salmon Falls.

Date Hiked: March 19, 2022
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)

In great condition. Water crossings at perfect level, little to no brush, one tree down but very easy to bypass. Gorgeous forest and views.

Date Hiked: January 17, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Some tread washout on a steep slope near Spruce Camp, can't remember which side of the camp; trail is still passable (easier with trekking poles). A deadfall tree is blocking the trail between Spruce and Estrella camps; there is a 4-foot-tall crevice under the trunk that some may be able to duck underneath for passage, and there is very early-stage tread around either side of the deadfall on the slope. The water crossing at Salmon Creek is very mild (~1-2 feet high) and passable; careful steps over the creek rocks may avoid boot flooding.

Date Hiked: August 6, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

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

Description:

On 8-6-2021 the USFS reported an Algae Bloom below Salmon Creek Falls. The Algae Bloom may not clear until we get some significant rains to raise the water level in the creek to wash the algae away.

8/6/21 ALERT - Do not drink/filter water from the pond below Salmon Creek Falls. There is a possible algae bloom that can cause contaminated water and is unsafe to drink. Do NOT let dogs drink or swim in the water.

For the latest information use the following link and/or call the USFS in King City.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/re ... 7&actid=51
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