Date Hiked: May 9, 2026
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Trail Conditions – Three Peaks Ridge to Dutra Valley (Dutra Trail)

South Coast Ridge Road has been recently regraded, is remarkably smooth, and is currently very passable for reaching the trailhead.

The Dutra / Three Peaks trailhead is easy to find about 3 miles south of Salmon Creek, look for a locked gate to the right; new signage is in place at the start of the trail.

Tread along the ridge largely follows the old fire road and is in good shape; one short steep, loose, rock‑sliding section, but otherwise solid footing.

Intermittent brushing along the ridge has been clipped back; the trail is now very passable, with only minor brush in spots.

Approaching Dutra Valley, some waist‑high grass can obscure the tread, but an old cairn with a barbed-wire halo and other visual cues still make the route findable.

Dutra Spring is flowing at the cattle trough and in its own drainage; this is effectively the only reliable water on the ridge at present.

A camper reported that the San Carpóforo (Spruce Creek) Trail between Turkey Spring and pastures has significant brush encroachment between open grassy stretches, though Turkey Spring itself has water.

Legacy signs, homestead artifacts, and camp infrastructure at Dutra Camp remain intact and in use.

Date Hiked: October 3, 2015
General Condition: 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.

Dutra Trail had one tricky area coming steeply down off the ridge track, slippery stones. The rest was pretty good although the trails are less clear (less used) than others to the north west in Silver Peak Wilderness.

Dutra Flats Camp looked good, but we didn't stop, just used the plentiful water supply and the bench supported by trees.

Date Hiked: September 6, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

An Update on Three Peaks Camp and Three Peaks Summit/Old Fire Lookout
Traveled from South Coast Road to Three Peaks Camp. The road is in reasonable shape, with areas of pine needles interspersed with clear roadway. There is still water at the second drainage for those making the Salmon Creek/Lions Den loop, who need water as well as a big pool down at Three Peaks Camp. The camp area still has a barely functioning table as well as a pool that could be used for cooling off. As always, there seem to be extra insects around the water there. It is isolated like Elk Camp, but more accessible now that the Coastal Ridger Road is open and in great shape.

Took the time to clear the trail up to Three Peaks Lookout. The entry point is across from a pullout/camp area at the base of the southernmost of the three peaks. As you make your way up, follow the contour to your right (east), then switch back to locate the old roadway. The entry point of the original roadway, which you can view from Google Earth, is further down the hill and completey brushed over, so this is a more direct entry to the trail. The old roadway passes through some trees, and you will see some massive rocks with the old foundational rebar. Amazing views from this vantage point, and a quick trip up is worth the effort. You can see Cone Peak to Rocky Butte as well as the Army base and the Pacific Ocean.

Following up on Jack's comments in 2017 and Leor's great photos.

https://chatgpt.com/c/68bd0a5b-766c-832 ... bc83fd9e4b

https://bigsurtrailmap.net/blog/three-p ... hatgpt.com

Date Hiked: April 12, 2025
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Travelled from Dutra Flat to South Coast Ridge Road. The start near the Dutra springs was tricky to find (for me anyway) and required pushing through a short segment of brush. After that it was well defined and clear to the top. Great hike. No water.

Date Hiked: July 27, 2024
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Responding to the last report, I spent the morning clipping the trail, coming down and back from Three Peaks. There are new signs at the top and legacy signs at the bottom. The tread is well defined throughout, with one down the tree by Dutra Camp and a blowdown right over the first ridge both passable. Ridge walking through the pines is amazing, with a nice coastal breeze.

There is one big push at the beginning and later at the rocky top hill, but all the rest has a nice incline with a great view of Three Peaks and Lion Peak and back to the Pacific Ocean down the Salmon Creek drainage. Clipping on the trail makes it more passable—almost to the short pants level! Water flows at Dutra Spring ( not good tasting) and Three Peaks camp.

Please use this route instead of going through the Land of Abiding Calm retreat area [Lottie Potrero Trail], This trail is in better condition with better views and many dry camp options.

Date Hiked: January 7, 2024
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Trail is evident but tight brush in places. Had to take my foam pad off the top of my pack because it was getting shredded pushing through the brush.

Date Hiked: April 1, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Not much change from the last report. There was a good bit more water flowing, and cattle had made the meadows a muddy mess, as would be expected. It had been quite a few years since I last hiked this, and I was pleasantly surprised.

I did spend some time with my pruning saw on a downed tree coming up from Dutra Flat, but removing it entirely will take a bigger saw.

Spent the night at Three Peaks Camp, where the creek was flowing very strongly.

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

Mildly encroaching brush in many places, but the trail is always obvious (it's an old road). No deadfalls or obstructions. There is water in the spring on the climb out of Dutra Flats. Only saw one tick.

Date Hiked: May 9, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

A couple tight sections with yucca and a couple turns that are easy to be misinterpreted for 5 meters until you realize you probably went the wrong way. Largely very good for wilderness.

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

In great shape really no issues here at all. All clear though some brush near the top is starting to become slightly overgrown.