Date Hiked: April 22, 2018
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The entire trail was in excellent condition. On previous trips in winter 2016 and Fall 2017, this trail was noticeably more pleasant to hike on than Stone Ridge or Vicente Flat. This time the difference was less noticeable, which says a lot about the great condition of the Cone Peak trail system in general at present. Hare Creek was going strongly where the trail crossed it. The creek has excavated beneath the large redwood log crossing and now flows under it, as opposed to overtopping it a few years ago. The tread was wide, even, and stable throughout. Water was flowing well across the trail east of Espinosa camp. Some poison oak was unavoidable below knee height, and an occasional tendril of this infernal plant reached across the trail at about face level. Otherwise, this trail would count as a wilderness freeway. Trailside brush has been thoroughly cleared for about a mile or so above Highway 1.
Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
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claytron9000
Re: Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
Date Hiked: April 14, 2018
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
Hi there. Being from San Francisco, we were looking for a weekend getaway drive-able from SF.
We used this ventanawild.org site to find some backpacking recommendations and could not be more thankful. We ended up choosing the Vicente Flat Trail (aka Kirk Creek Trail).
First, we stopped at Big Sur station to get our stove permit and confirmed we could park at the trailhead. Then, we parked our car on the east side of Highway 1 directly across from Kirk Creek Campground, where there were a lot of other cars doing the same. We hiked the 5 miles to the Vicente Flat Camp and stayed overnight. The campsite is situated in a gorgeous redwood grove and the creek is flowing... the water was clear and we couldn't get over the adorableness of the campsite. Don't forget your water filter. The wildflowers were incredible this time of year... lots of blue iris and California poppies. Two other groups of backpackers told us about rattlesnake sightings, but we didn't see any ourselves.
Overall, we highly recommend this hike for backpackers, especially since the northern half of Big Sur is essentially inaccessible from Highway 1 due to the 2016 Soberanes fire.
Happy hiking / backpacking, folks!
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
Hi there. Being from San Francisco, we were looking for a weekend getaway drive-able from SF.
We used this ventanawild.org site to find some backpacking recommendations and could not be more thankful. We ended up choosing the Vicente Flat Trail (aka Kirk Creek Trail).
First, we stopped at Big Sur station to get our stove permit and confirmed we could park at the trailhead. Then, we parked our car on the east side of Highway 1 directly across from Kirk Creek Campground, where there were a lot of other cars doing the same. We hiked the 5 miles to the Vicente Flat Camp and stayed overnight. The campsite is situated in a gorgeous redwood grove and the creek is flowing... the water was clear and we couldn't get over the adorableness of the campsite. Don't forget your water filter. The wildflowers were incredible this time of year... lots of blue iris and California poppies. Two other groups of backpackers told us about rattlesnake sightings, but we didn't see any ourselves.
Overall, we highly recommend this hike for backpackers, especially since the northern half of Big Sur is essentially inaccessible from Highway 1 due to the 2016 Soberanes fire.
Happy hiking / backpacking, folks!
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wombat_attack
Re: Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
Date Hiked: November 13, 2017
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
First mile of trail from the highway has recently had brush free zone widened. Big thanks to whoever did that! Some poison oak on the trail sides intermittently the whole length. I was able to avoid it fine, never had to do any major acrobatics to get around it. The creek about 1/4 mi after espinoza camp does still have a good flow of water; first water you'll hit going up. Vincente flat did not have water in the creek at the immediate crossing, but you start to find lots of water in the creek after about 1/3 mile past it when you travel up the canyon more.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
First mile of trail from the highway has recently had brush free zone widened. Big thanks to whoever did that! Some poison oak on the trail sides intermittently the whole length. I was able to avoid it fine, never had to do any major acrobatics to get around it. The creek about 1/4 mi after espinoza camp does still have a good flow of water; first water you'll hit going up. Vincente flat did not have water in the creek at the immediate crossing, but you start to find lots of water in the creek after about 1/3 mile past it when you travel up the canyon more.
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Guest
Re: Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
Date Hiked: August 5, 2017
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The trail is slightly eroded and overgrown for the first half-mile to a mile near highway 1, otherwise in great condition. There is water flowing across the trail just past Espinosa Camp, and plenty of water at Vicente Flat. Lots of poison oak everywhere, so pants are a good idea. We saw a handful of others on the way in, probably half were day hikers. We camped at Vicente Flat on a Saturday night with two other groups. Both left early Sunday, so we had the place to ourselves in the morning, and saw no other hikers on the way out. Great time to do this trip!
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The trail is slightly eroded and overgrown for the first half-mile to a mile near highway 1, otherwise in great condition. There is water flowing across the trail just past Espinosa Camp, and plenty of water at Vicente Flat. Lots of poison oak everywhere, so pants are a good idea. We saw a handful of others on the way in, probably half were day hikers. We camped at Vicente Flat on a Saturday night with two other groups. Both left early Sunday, so we had the place to ourselves in the morning, and saw no other hikers on the way out. Great time to do this trip!
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Rachel9
Re: Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
Date Hiked: July 4, 2017
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Hiked to Vicente Flat Camp from Hwy1 July 3 and returned July 6. Trail was clear easy to see. There was significant poison oak along the way but easy to get around (not so on the way to/from Goat Camp July 4-5). The creek was flowing at Vicente Flat (and also at Goat Camp) and the only pests were mostly non-biting gnats. There were some mosquitos as well, but they weren't overwhelming and we didn't see any ticks on our journey. We were the only campers at the beautiful Vicente Flat Camp on the 5th and only two other couples there on the 3rd.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Hiked to Vicente Flat Camp from Hwy1 July 3 and returned July 6. Trail was clear easy to see. There was significant poison oak along the way but easy to get around (not so on the way to/from Goat Camp July 4-5). The creek was flowing at Vicente Flat (and also at Goat Camp) and the only pests were mostly non-biting gnats. There were some mosquitos as well, but they weren't overwhelming and we didn't see any ticks on our journey. We were the only campers at the beautiful Vicente Flat Camp on the 5th and only two other couples there on the 3rd.
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Maya7
Re: Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
Date Hiked: June 24, 2017
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
I hiked from Hwy 1 to Espinosa, then Vincente Flat almost to the Cone Peak fire road, and returned the same route. The trail was obscured to Espinosa with overgrowth a few times but was easy to push through. Stream just past Espinosa (on the trail maybe 0.2 mi inland from Espinosa) was flowing well and provided a reliable water source for that camp. In the wooden areas to Vincente the trail was clear but poison oak was encroaching - good to have long pants and hiking poles to push it away.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
I hiked from Hwy 1 to Espinosa, then Vincente Flat almost to the Cone Peak fire road, and returned the same route. The trail was obscured to Espinosa with overgrowth a few times but was easy to push through. Stream just past Espinosa (on the trail maybe 0.2 mi inland from Espinosa) was flowing well and provided a reliable water source for that camp. In the wooden areas to Vincente the trail was clear but poison oak was encroaching - good to have long pants and hiking poles to push it away.
Re: Kirk Creek Trail
Date Hiked: April 9, 2017
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
CLEAR with a few exceptions.
After many more winter storms subsequent to the last report, the Vicente Flat/Kirk Creek Trail remains in generally great shape with only a few exceptions for its entire length from Highway 1 up to the Cone Peak Road. From the highway to Vicente Flat there are a few small blowdowns over the trail and one larger tree requiring a couple steps up and over at around mile 1.5 from Kirk Creek campground. After Vicente Flat most of the problem spots are near the creek crossings where some erosion has taken place and trees have fallen into the creek over where you would normally cross. However, the lack of brush (including lack of encroaching poison oak) and absence of significant erosion/slipouts means that this trail is mostly Clear and I didn't feel the few issues necessitated a downgrade to Passable. Spring wildflowers are out in force along the first 2.6 miles with a great variety of flowers.
Note regarding Vicente Falls: Winter storms have rearranged the stream bed and log jams in the canyon with many new blow downs over adjacent slopes. The high water volume also cleared out the base of the falls from debris and vegetation that had accumulated over the years leaving a cleaner base area and (shallow) plunge pool which, in my opinion, makes the falls prettier. At least for now while stream volume is high (and the falls most impressive), wet feet are necessary. Bits and pieces of use path are still evident, but one should consider this entirely off-trail with some creek walking, poison oak and maneuvering through blow downs.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
CLEAR with a few exceptions.
After many more winter storms subsequent to the last report, the Vicente Flat/Kirk Creek Trail remains in generally great shape with only a few exceptions for its entire length from Highway 1 up to the Cone Peak Road. From the highway to Vicente Flat there are a few small blowdowns over the trail and one larger tree requiring a couple steps up and over at around mile 1.5 from Kirk Creek campground. After Vicente Flat most of the problem spots are near the creek crossings where some erosion has taken place and trees have fallen into the creek over where you would normally cross. However, the lack of brush (including lack of encroaching poison oak) and absence of significant erosion/slipouts means that this trail is mostly Clear and I didn't feel the few issues necessitated a downgrade to Passable. Spring wildflowers are out in force along the first 2.6 miles with a great variety of flowers.
Note regarding Vicente Falls: Winter storms have rearranged the stream bed and log jams in the canyon with many new blow downs over adjacent slopes. The high water volume also cleared out the base of the falls from debris and vegetation that had accumulated over the years leaving a cleaner base area and (shallow) plunge pool which, in my opinion, makes the falls prettier. At least for now while stream volume is high (and the falls most impressive), wet feet are necessary. Bits and pieces of use path are still evident, but one should consider this entirely off-trail with some creek walking, poison oak and maneuvering through blow downs.
Kirk Creek Trail
Submit Trail Reports for Kirk Creek Trail here. Please note- Kirk Creek Trail connects Highway 1 with Vicente Flat Camp; it should not be confused with Vicente Flat Trail, which connects Vicente Flat Camp with Cone Peak Road.
Re: Kirk Creek Trail
Date Hiked: December 17, 2016
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
SECTION TRAVELED: HIGHWAY 1 TO VICENTE FLAT CAMP
Given the extended non-use of this trail since the fire closure as well as the intensity of the recent storm, I expected the worst and was pleasantly surprised to find this trail in quite excellent condition.
There were a few small trees down, nothing problematic or requiring a diversion and I was able to cut a few obstructions with my Samurai saw. There was very little erosion anywhere, no washouts or slides, and surprisingly little brush encroachment.
The Hare Creek crossing had water higher than I'd ever seen it, with some water going over the top of the log crossing in one spot, which I'd never seen before. There was not alternative crossing anywhere within a few hundred feet upstream (I investigated this in case anyone in my group didn't want to walk across the log). The water will I'm sure recede as more time passes after the storm.
Mike Heard deserves major kudos for all of his work to make this trail not just hikeable but in particular to make it a trail that can survive these kinds of big storms.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
SECTION TRAVELED: HIGHWAY 1 TO VICENTE FLAT CAMP
Given the extended non-use of this trail since the fire closure as well as the intensity of the recent storm, I expected the worst and was pleasantly surprised to find this trail in quite excellent condition.
There were a few small trees down, nothing problematic or requiring a diversion and I was able to cut a few obstructions with my Samurai saw. There was very little erosion anywhere, no washouts or slides, and surprisingly little brush encroachment.
The Hare Creek crossing had water higher than I'd ever seen it, with some water going over the top of the log crossing in one spot, which I'd never seen before. There was not alternative crossing anywhere within a few hundred feet upstream (I investigated this in case anyone in my group didn't want to walk across the log). The water will I'm sure recede as more time passes after the storm.
Mike Heard deserves major kudos for all of his work to make this trail not just hikeable but in particular to make it a trail that can survive these kinds of big storms.
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crewmaya7
Re: Kirk Creek Trail
Date Hiked: May 22, 2016
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Trail is well maintained but at times it's hard to dodge the poison oak as it encroaches on both sides of the trail from the Kirk Ck trailhead. Long pants and poles to keep it out of the way are suggested! A few deadfalls but very easy to go over/under. I camped at Vincente Fri and Sat night - was busy but not totally full both nights. I hiked to Cone Peak and that was the same - passable though some places were very overgrown, about the same oak situation as Kirk Creek-Vincente too. Happy hiking!
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
Trail is well maintained but at times it's hard to dodge the poison oak as it encroaches on both sides of the trail from the Kirk Ck trailhead. Long pants and poles to keep it out of the way are suggested! A few deadfalls but very easy to go over/under. I camped at Vincente Fri and Sat night - was busy but not totally full both nights. I hiked to Cone Peak and that was the same - passable though some places were very overgrown, about the same oak situation as Kirk Creek-Vincente too. Happy hiking!
