Date Hiked: February 14, 2023
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Volunteer Ranger patrolled the Cruickshank Trail before all the recent storms. As of this patrol there were no major hazards along this trail. There were several trees down mainly berween the Wilderness Boundary Sign and the Buckeye Trail Junction above Upper Cruickshank Camp
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks. - Clear, the lowest section has encroaching brush. Once you reach the switchbacks, the trail is in better shape the wilderness boundary sign. Ther may be some gullies in the trail with all the water runoff.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Passable, the 1/3 mile past the wilderness boundary sign has lots of encroaching brush pushing folks to the edge of the trail. There are many trees down between here and Upper Cruickshank Camp.
Upper Cruickshank Camp to Silver Camp - Passable, with encroaching brush a few trees may be down.
Silver Camp to Rocky Outcropping - Passable, as there is still the slide past Silver Creek which is narrow in many places. The water may be rushing in the gully just before the major slide.
Rocky Outcropping to Silver Peak Use Trail Road - Passable, with encroaching brush.
Silver Peak Use Trail Road to Lion Den Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Lion Den to SCRR - Clear.
Cruikshank Trail
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VWA_Ranger
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 4:41 pm
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: October 3, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Over the past week multiple VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers and VWA Youth in Wilderness have been patrolling and exploring the Cruikshank Trail. These folks found multiple downed treed across the trail which have now been cleared by volunteer personnel. There is a small trickle at Lower Cruickshank Camp but may not be enough to collect. A trickle of water is flowing at Upper Cruickshank Camp just down the trail to Villa Creek Camp.
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks. - Wilderness Freeway to Clear, the lowest section has some minor encroaching brush. Once you reach the switchbacks, the trail is wide open to the wilderness boundary sign.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Passable, the 1/3 mile past the wilderness boundary sign has lots of encroaching brush pushing folks to the edge of the trail. The tread is well defined and easy to follow. Once you get past this section, the trail is clear with minor encroaching brush.
Upper Cruickshank Camp to Silver Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Silver Camp to Rocky Outcropping - Passable, as there is still the slide past Silver Creek which is narrow in many places. Be careful when crossing the slide areas.
Rocky Outcropping to Silver Peak Use Trail Road - Clear, with encroaching brush.
Silver Peak Use Trail Road to Lion Den Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Lion Den to SCRR - Clear.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Over the past week multiple VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers and VWA Youth in Wilderness have been patrolling and exploring the Cruikshank Trail. These folks found multiple downed treed across the trail which have now been cleared by volunteer personnel. There is a small trickle at Lower Cruickshank Camp but may not be enough to collect. A trickle of water is flowing at Upper Cruickshank Camp just down the trail to Villa Creek Camp.
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks. - Wilderness Freeway to Clear, the lowest section has some minor encroaching brush. Once you reach the switchbacks, the trail is wide open to the wilderness boundary sign.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Passable, the 1/3 mile past the wilderness boundary sign has lots of encroaching brush pushing folks to the edge of the trail. The tread is well defined and easy to follow. Once you get past this section, the trail is clear with minor encroaching brush.
Upper Cruickshank Camp to Silver Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Silver Camp to Rocky Outcropping - Passable, as there is still the slide past Silver Creek which is narrow in many places. Be careful when crossing the slide areas.
Rocky Outcropping to Silver Peak Use Trail Road - Clear, with encroaching brush.
Silver Peak Use Trail Road to Lion Den Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Lion Den to SCRR - Clear.
- Attachments
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- Oak mess along the Cruickshank Trail
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- After the trail has been cleared by VWA Volunteer Rangers
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- The huge oak that came down along the trail just before Lower Cruikshank Camp
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- The Oak has been cleared by VWA Volunteer Rangers.
Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: July 3, 2022
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
We did a pre-4th of July hike up the Cruikshank Trail to the Cruikshank Camps and then along the Buckeye Trail to Salmon Creek Station.
Section: Trailhead to Silver Peak Wilderness sign/entrance into Villa Creek Canyon: trail is in excellent condition, the brush is cut back down near the trailhead and not encroaching.
Section: Through Villa Creek Canyon up to the Cruikshank Camps: relatively clear, there is some brush encroaching onto the trail on and off (including the ever present PO), There is one big tree down along this section and the trail now detours around it to the left.
. There is water flowing very lightly just before Lower Cruikshank Camp,
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and/or well maintained)
We did a pre-4th of July hike up the Cruikshank Trail to the Cruikshank Camps and then along the Buckeye Trail to Salmon Creek Station.
Section: Trailhead to Silver Peak Wilderness sign/entrance into Villa Creek Canyon: trail is in excellent condition, the brush is cut back down near the trailhead and not encroaching.
Section: Through Villa Creek Canyon up to the Cruikshank Camps: relatively clear, there is some brush encroaching onto the trail on and off (including the ever present PO), There is one big tree down along this section and the trail now detours around it to the left.
. There is water flowing very lightly just before Lower Cruikshank Camp,- Attachments
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Guest
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: June 1, 2022
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Water is flowing at Lions den.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Water is flowing at Lions den.
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runcyclegirl
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:58 pm
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: May 14, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Cruikshank Trail from the South Coast Ridge Road to the junction with Buckeye is clear except for three issues- a tree hanging ~5 ft above the trail west of Silver Peak use trail junction, landslide east of Silver Public Camp, and a very large branch-jamy tree in Silver Public Camp. The latter is on the trail, just walk around it.
Water is available at Lion Den. I was able to fill 2 liters in 30 seconds. Walk a little upstream of the flow and there is a very nice spot where water spills over a short rise. Don't know how reliable this will be in late summer. Water is also flowing in Silver Public Camp. Look a little upstream of the ground flow and you'll see the PVC pipe. Water is also available at Upper Cruikshank Camp. Take Buckeye Trail toward Villa Creek Camp and you'll see the spring fed stream near the big tree. It's not far.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Cruikshank Trail from the South Coast Ridge Road to the junction with Buckeye is clear except for three issues- a tree hanging ~5 ft above the trail west of Silver Peak use trail junction, landslide east of Silver Public Camp, and a very large branch-jamy tree in Silver Public Camp. The latter is on the trail, just walk around it.
Water is available at Lion Den. I was able to fill 2 liters in 30 seconds. Walk a little upstream of the flow and there is a very nice spot where water spills over a short rise. Don't know how reliable this will be in late summer. Water is also flowing in Silver Public Camp. Look a little upstream of the ground flow and you'll see the PVC pipe. Water is also available at Upper Cruikshank Camp. Take Buckeye Trail toward Villa Creek Camp and you'll see the spring fed stream near the big tree. It's not far.
- Lion Den campsite.
- Water at Lion Den.
- Water at Silver Public Camp.
- Buckeye Junction
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: April 9, 2022
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Hiked from Upper Cruikshank Camp to Estrella Camp. Only one place was slippery and we had to tread carefully. Found a tick latched on to the clothes and did a tick check among the group. Both Silva Camp and Lion Den Camp have a little stream of water running but probably hard to gather and filter.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Hiked from Upper Cruikshank Camp to Estrella Camp. Only one place was slippery and we had to tread carefully. Found a tick latched on to the clothes and did a tick check among the group. Both Silva Camp and Lion Den Camp have a little stream of water running but probably hard to gather and filter.
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: March 19, 2022
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
0.5 miles of brushy trail from the wilderness sign up towards Cruikshank Camp. Otherwise in great condition. Super beautiful and diverse trail.
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
0.5 miles of brushy trail from the wilderness sign up towards Cruikshank Camp. Otherwise in great condition. Super beautiful and diverse trail.
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tbliss
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: February 5, 2022
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We hiked Cruikshank to its junction with the Buckeye Trail. Cruikshank is in very good condition. One small downed tree on trail, easily stepped over.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We hiked Cruikshank to its junction with the Buckeye Trail. Cruikshank is in very good condition. One small downed tree on trail, easily stepped over.
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runcyclegirl
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Thu Feb 09, 2012 1:58 pm
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: November 10, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We hiked up from Highway 1 on Wednesday and stayed two nights at Villa Creek Camp. Our original plan was to stay at Upper Cruikshank but, to our surprise, a group of three had already pitched their tent when we arrived. So, we hiked the half mile down to Villa Creek Camp and it was lovely. The creek was running good and loud and we got there just in time to see the sunlight setting through the trees.
Cruikshank Trail from the highway to Lion Den is in remarkable shape. With the exception of a debris slide described in an earlier post and a down tree, the trail is surprisingly clear. Tender growth flank close to the trail and there is a need to clear the backslope in many places but, honestly, we were happy to walk for hours without trail issues. The down oak tree we encountered is ~18 inches and located east of the slide. It fell high over the trail allowing ~5ft clearance near the inside edge before most people need to duck.
We had a gorgeous three days. Silver Public Camp and Lion Den Camp deserve a return visit.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We hiked up from Highway 1 on Wednesday and stayed two nights at Villa Creek Camp. Our original plan was to stay at Upper Cruikshank but, to our surprise, a group of three had already pitched their tent when we arrived. So, we hiked the half mile down to Villa Creek Camp and it was lovely. The creek was running good and loud and we got there just in time to see the sunlight setting through the trees.
Cruikshank Trail from the highway to Lion Den is in remarkable shape. With the exception of a debris slide described in an earlier post and a down tree, the trail is surprisingly clear. Tender growth flank close to the trail and there is a need to clear the backslope in many places but, honestly, we were happy to walk for hours without trail issues. The down oak tree we encountered is ~18 inches and located east of the slide. It fell high over the trail allowing ~5ft clearance near the inside edge before most people need to duck.
We had a gorgeous three days. Silver Public Camp and Lion Den Camp deserve a return visit.
- Water at Silver Public Camp
- Tree over trail
- Water at Lion Den Camp
- Lovely fall colors
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VWA_Ranger
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 4:41 pm
Re: Cruikshank Trail
Date Hiked: September 25, 2021
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Today VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers patrolled from Highway 1 to the Buckeye Jct. just past Upper Cruickshank Camp. They cleaned camps, removed two oak snags that had fallen across the trail about 1.5 miles in. There is a small trickle at Lower Cruickshank Camp. A trickle of water is flowing at Upper Cruickshank Camp just down the trail to Villa Creek Camp.
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks. - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear, there is lots of encroaching brush for the first 1/3 mile past the sign. The trail is easy to follow. Once past that section, the trail is clear with minor encroaching brush.
Upper Cruickshank Camp to Silver Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Silver Camp to Rocky Outcropping - Passable, as there is still the slide past Silver Creek which is narrow in many places. Be careful when crossing the slide areas.
Rocky Outcropping to Silver Peak Use Trail Road - Clear, with encroaching brush.
Silver Peak Use Trail Road to Lion Den Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Lion Den to SCRR - Clear.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
*** VWA/USFS Volunteer Ranger/Trail Crew Report ***
Description:
Today VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers patrolled from Highway 1 to the Buckeye Jct. just past Upper Cruickshank Camp. They cleaned camps, removed two oak snags that had fallen across the trail about 1.5 miles in. There is a small trickle at Lower Cruickshank Camp. A trickle of water is flowing at Upper Cruickshank Camp just down the trail to Villa Creek Camp.
Trail conditions are as follows:
Highway 1 to Top of Switchbacks. - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Top of Switchbacks to Upper Cruickshank Camp - Clear, there is lots of encroaching brush for the first 1/3 mile past the sign. The trail is easy to follow. Once past that section, the trail is clear with minor encroaching brush.
Upper Cruickshank Camp to Silver Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Silver Camp to Rocky Outcropping - Passable, as there is still the slide past Silver Creek which is narrow in many places. Be careful when crossing the slide areas.
Rocky Outcropping to Silver Peak Use Trail Road - Clear, with encroaching brush.
Silver Peak Use Trail Road to Lion Den Camp - Clear, with minor encroaching brush.
Lion Den to SCRR - Clear.
- Attachments
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- Oak snag before removal.
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- Oak snag after removal.