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

From the TH at the ridge, the .6 miles down to the Danish Camp is completely clear and tread restored. Was a fun side project to open this trail up, and see the trail across several seasons.
Attached are pictures from the last day.

Date Hiked: January 31, 2026
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

From ridge to Danish Camp, same as last report: encroaching brush and some eroding tread.
I trimmed back bushes a bit as I hiked, but always could use more.

I found the trail up creek from the camp passable until the point where the path comes to the creek edge. Here I was able to cut a fallen log which gets you just a bit further to the point where you can either climb up and over the small rise (as mentioned earlier) or just walk in or rock hop in the creek for ~30 yards to where the trail continues. Followable tread does end about 100 yards before the creek crossing to Rattlesnake Creek Trail, but this is close enough to get you to the crossing and trail sign (it was on the ground, so I leaned it up against a tree).

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

Trail is passable down from the ridge at Big Pines trail to Danish Camp.. with encroaching brush, ticks and eroding tread. Trail is difficult from Danish Camp to the old rusty Nason (or Haps?) Cabin.. as there is no real trail to speak of, just following the north side of the creek, and cutting up and over one small rise (as noted in other reports)

Danish Camp itself is clearly popular, given its open idyllic setting, and being the closest standard campsite to the Los Padres Dam parking lot (3.7 miles away). There are many entries in the on-site camper log book.

Date Hiked: February 24, 2024
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

I hiked this trail with my dad for the first time in 2004 when I was a kid and we decided to hike to Danish Camp again this past weekend almost exactly 20 years later, despite the lack of recent information about trail conditions online.

We parked at the dam parking lot at around 10am on a sunny Saturday and there were only two other cars there. We knew about the slide detour and were pleased to see that it was extremely clearly marked and all in all a solid trail to walk on. There were some patches where the ground was loose where we had to cling to the cliff side where it was more solid and one fallen tree on this stretch to get over. It was exposed and steep for about the first mile and I imagine it would be rough in the summer heat.

Once we connected back with the original trail, it was relatively flat for another half mile or so until we got to the junction of the Carmel River Trail and the Big Pines Trail. We took the BPT to to right and immediately began climbing. Within five minutes walking on this section of the trail, I found ten ticks on me. I am not exaggerating when I say I found over one hundred ticks on me in total. I just tucked my socks into my pants, tucked my shirt into my waistband, and was stopping every minute or so to check and flick. The the climb from the junction up to the ridge and the descent from the ridge to Danish were the tickiest sections for sure, which is expected this time of year.

The trail in general was overgrown but passable for anyone comfortable with the constant tick and unavoidable poison oak situation. There were a few small fallen trees to get over and overgrowth nearly the whole way. Around 3/4 of the way up from the junction to the ridge, there is a section that is fairly difficult to manage. There is a large fallen tree in the trail that is almost too big to climb over and must be maneuvered around. We got around it by going up and around it on the right but we had to be careful with our footing. Directly after that, there is a section of fallen manzanita trees that have to be weaved through. These fallen trees had to be ducked under and I got caught and stuck a couple of times. I think some might have turned around at that point, as the trail appears quite impassable. With patience and a slight sense of humor, this section shouldn't stop anyone from continuing.

After getting around that issue and passing a small beehive on the left, the ridge is only a few minutes away. It's one of the most gorgeous viewpoints in the area and a definite highlight of the hike. When I hiked this trail in the summertime of 2004, I had my only close encounter with a rattlesnake ever up there on the ridge but luckily wasn't treated to the same experience this time around. There were flags indicating the trail and it was never an issue knowing which path to follow even when tread was not extremely evident.

After walking for about 1/2 mile on the ridge, the turnoff to Danish Creek Trail is clearly marked with a metal sign. The trail down to camp is a bit less than a mile and very overgrown in parts. There were several sections where all we could do was cover our heads with our forearms and push through. I picked up many ticks in this part as well. After all the recent rains, there was water flowing on the trail as well which was interesting to see. Shortly before arriving to camp, there was another fallen tree which we were actually able to pick up between the two of us and move off the trail.

The camp itself was in good condition. We camped at the site that emerges right as the trail ends with the fire pit and rake. There is another camp off to the left under an enormous ancient oak that also has a fire pit and grill. Tons of flat spaces to put a tent. No issues with flies or mosquitos but many spiders and a couple more ticks. The creek was high and flowing rapidly. Access to the creek was slightly overgrown albeit very close to the campsite. Lots of wood to start a fire. We didn't sleep well because of the cold but the sound of the water was lovely to hear at night.

Overall this trail is definitely doable, and I hope more people give it a go in the near future. My 57 year old father made it no problem while carrying heavy ham radio gear which he set up at camp and was able to get connected on. I'm not in the best shape in the world either but we didn't have any issues with it. Hope to visit again soon!

Date Hiked: April 30, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Did a one-nighter out to Danish Camp on 4/29-4/30. Was able to park at the Los Padres Reservoir lot. The dirt road from Cachagua Park was a little rutted out from rain, but easily passable. Even saw a Prius in the lot, so pretty much anything can make it to the lot.

The first section past the reservoir is easy--basically a well maintained fire road. The fence to the trailhead was not open, but you can easily go around the gate. The first mile or so is strenuous due to the detour around a recent slide. Trail is easy to follow. Poison oak and narrow trail/steep drop-offs are the main cautions to be aware of. Miles 2 and 3 are beautiful meandering single track with slight poison oak overgrowth and heavy Chemise. Just before the summit and descent down toward Danish Creek there is one section about 75 feet long that is heavily overgrown with Chemise and Poison Oak. The Poison Oak is unavoidable through this stretch. Recommend wrapping yourself in a tarp or similar, putting head down, and charging through it. You'll be rewarded with a stunning view of the valley and surrounding ranges. Also mostly downhill from here. There are a couple smaller creeks in this section to fill water up. Danish Creek is not much further though and is a much better spot.

Our group found the main camp right off the trail as you descend toward the creek. Not sure if this was the "official" Danish Camp or not. GPS shows Danish Camp as another hundred yards or so up stream, but we found this location to be unmaintained and basically at the coordinates of Rattlesnake and Danish Creeks converging. There was no camp here as far as we could see, but possible we missed it or it's overgrown. There were trail markers at the convergence which might carry on to Rattlesnake Camp. We did not go further than the junction of Danish and Rattlesnake Creeks. Newts were abundant. Watch your step by the water.

Danish Camp had a rock fire pit with grill grate. There is some rock seating as well. The beauty in the evening is stunning.

Moderate ticks throughout most of the trail and mosquitos were fairly heavy at camp. Bring insect repellant and check for ticks regularly.

Date Hiked: April 15, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

Our group hiked up the Big Pines Trail from the dam and found that section passable but in places near the saddle, heavily overgrown with poison oak. At the junction to the Danish Creek Trail I was thrilled to see a very sturdy and well-placed METAL sign marking the trail. In a forest with frequent fires, metal signs make sense and that is why the Southern Los Padres has been using them for years. Three cheers for the VWA Rangers that put that in place.

The trail into Danish Creek is "passably difficult" and the flagging by the VWA trail crew is very helpful so the route is manageable. The trail tread needs a lot of work and the sides of the trail are very overgrown thereby pushing hikers off the edge of the tread regularly. We were able to clear one downed tree off the trail and made it into camp with minor scratches.

The camp was beautiful as always, the meadow full of flowers.

Date Hiked: January 23, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

The signpost at the junction with Big Pines trail is evident on the ridgetop. The trail is clear down to the camp. There is a machete hanging on a tree in the camp.

Date Hiked: October 24, 2018
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)

Between Big Pines Trail and Danish Creek Camp
Trail is wilderness freeway. Steep and a little slippery sometimes. Some ticks.

Date Hiked: November 12, 2017
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)

The section from the ridge (Big Pines Trail) down to Danish Creek Camp is apparent and without significant obstructions, the "high grass" location mentioned by the previous report now having orange flags marking the route - but there can be some confusion there since a well-defined track (likely deer) leaves the trail to ascend there. I'd rate this section "clear".

From Danish Creek Camp to the Rattlesnake Creek Trail intersection, the trail basically follows the creek but without any real tread to follow, so should be considered "passable" if you know where the trail goes, "difficult" if you don't.

Based on above, am giving "passable" rating for the entire trail.

Date Hiked: July 8, 2017
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)

Tall grass inundates the trail. I lost the trail in an area where the trail ascends a narrow gully and the weeds on the trail are over head-high. Hap's chair remains, but only the cabin stove and bed frame remain of Hap's cabin (along the rattlesnake trail where it departs the Danish creek).