Date Hiked: December 20, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
THIS REPORT COVERS THE SECTION FROM HIGHWAY 1 TO VICENTE FLAT CAMP
We hiked the trail the day before Winter Solstice, the recent storms had done no substantial damage, there had been some very minor slides in a few of the gully crossings on the section between the trailhead and the turn into Hare Canyon, there was one messy ~8" tree down after Escondido Camp which we swamped to render it into an easy stepover, we pushed another larger deadfall off the trail, and we did some other cutting of branches etc. that were blocking the trail. Water was NOT flowing at the water source just past Escondido Camp (a first for me, I've always seen water there).
Kirk Creek Trail (Highway One to Vicente Flat Camp)
Re: Kirk Creek Trail
Date Hiked: October 17, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
I had some trouble finding out about the water situation on the Kirk Creek to Cone peak trails and Vicente Flat Campground, so here is the scoop in the fall of drought-year 2015. The creek flows underground at Vicente flat, so no water there, but there is water in 2 tributaries a few hundred meters above (east) of the campground area along the trail to cone peak. (Note it is easy to miss the right hand turn across the creek and up the hill, as there is a weak trail that dead-ends following the first creek along the trail.) There are small clear pools good for pumping and small cascades to fill a bottle with a steripen at this location. We heard from hikers there was no water at Vicente Flat (wrong), but you can hear rushing water at the bottom of the valley (off the trail) 1/2 mile below the campsite. There was plenty of water a few minutes from the campground, so no need to bushwhack to the valley below.
The campground at Vicente flat is very nice-- many large flat areas with log seating and fire rings (with signs saying no wood fires allowed), each area separate from the others. The campsites are clear of poison oak, but outside the campsites and trail almost everywhere else in Vicente flat the ground is covered with poison oak. At this time of year, there are bare sticks, unrecognizable as poison oak, still highly toxic. So be careful!
The camp host at Kirk Creek near the beach will tell you there is no water there (he'll sell it for $5/gal) but there is plenty of water available for pumping/steripen in Kirk Creek below the campground along the trail to the beach. Look for the beach trail between campsites 9 & 11. (It's a 5 minute walk from the campground to get down to the creek.) You can top off or replenish there if needed.
There was no other water along the trail between the beach at Kirk Creek and Cone peak except for the area just above the Vicente Flat campground. (Including Espinosa campsite)
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
I had some trouble finding out about the water situation on the Kirk Creek to Cone peak trails and Vicente Flat Campground, so here is the scoop in the fall of drought-year 2015. The creek flows underground at Vicente flat, so no water there, but there is water in 2 tributaries a few hundred meters above (east) of the campground area along the trail to cone peak. (Note it is easy to miss the right hand turn across the creek and up the hill, as there is a weak trail that dead-ends following the first creek along the trail.) There are small clear pools good for pumping and small cascades to fill a bottle with a steripen at this location. We heard from hikers there was no water at Vicente Flat (wrong), but you can hear rushing water at the bottom of the valley (off the trail) 1/2 mile below the campsite. There was plenty of water a few minutes from the campground, so no need to bushwhack to the valley below.
The campground at Vicente flat is very nice-- many large flat areas with log seating and fire rings (with signs saying no wood fires allowed), each area separate from the others. The campsites are clear of poison oak, but outside the campsites and trail almost everywhere else in Vicente flat the ground is covered with poison oak. At this time of year, there are bare sticks, unrecognizable as poison oak, still highly toxic. So be careful!
The camp host at Kirk Creek near the beach will tell you there is no water there (he'll sell it for $5/gal) but there is plenty of water available for pumping/steripen in Kirk Creek below the campground along the trail to the beach. Look for the beach trail between campsites 9 & 11. (It's a 5 minute walk from the campground to get down to the creek.) You can top off or replenish there if needed.
There was no other water along the trail between the beach at Kirk Creek and Cone peak except for the area just above the Vicente Flat campground. (Including Espinosa campsite)
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trail_guy
Re: Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: August 17, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Trail is mostly clear of poison oak from trailhead to redwood grove (approx. 2 mi.). Some trail work has been done between the redwood grove and Espinosa Camp (3.5 mi.), but this section still has some poison oak. Long pants and clippers advised past Espinosa Camp. No washouts. Ticks may be active. Water may be available a quarter mile past Espinosa Camp at a year round creek.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Trail is mostly clear of poison oak from trailhead to redwood grove (approx. 2 mi.). Some trail work has been done between the redwood grove and Espinosa Camp (3.5 mi.), but this section still has some poison oak. Long pants and clippers advised past Espinosa Camp. No washouts. Ticks may be active. Water may be available a quarter mile past Espinosa Camp at a year round creek.
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christoph28
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2015 12:05 pm
Re: Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: August 8, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We hiked this trail from Kirk Creek Campground to Cone Peak Road. The trail is in great condition with no deadfalls and minimal encroaching brush, making for nice hiking. There is a small stream trickling across the trail a bit past 3 miles in, and then more flowing water shortly after Vicente Flat camp. We were later told 26 people camped in Vicente Flat camp Saturday night.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We hiked this trail from Kirk Creek Campground to Cone Peak Road. The trail is in great condition with no deadfalls and minimal encroaching brush, making for nice hiking. There is a small stream trickling across the trail a bit past 3 miles in, and then more flowing water shortly after Vicente Flat camp. We were later told 26 people camped in Vicente Flat camp Saturday night.
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trail_guy
Re: Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: June 4, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Trail is mostly clear of poison oak from trailhead to redwood grove (approx. 2 mi.). Some trail work has been done between the redwood grove and Espinosa Camp (3.5 mi.), but this section still has some poison oak. Long pants and clippers advised past Espinosa Camp. No washouts. Ticks are active, so check your clothes as you hike. Water may be available a quarter mile past Espinosa Camp at a year round creek.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Trail is mostly clear of poison oak from trailhead to redwood grove (approx. 2 mi.). Some trail work has been done between the redwood grove and Espinosa Camp (3.5 mi.), but this section still has some poison oak. Long pants and clippers advised past Espinosa Camp. No washouts. Ticks are active, so check your clothes as you hike. Water may be available a quarter mile past Espinosa Camp at a year round creek.
Re: Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: May 24, 2015
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
Dates: 24 May 2015
Hiked Vicente Trail from Kirk Creek campground to Vicente Flat camp
Observations:
Kirk creek campground is infested by a gang of fearless raccoons. If you stay there bring a slingshot and your own ammo. We ran out of throwing rocks. All of our food, toothpaste, etc was hung safely in a tree. That did not prevent one from ripping a large hole in the netting of my friend's tent 6" from her face. It then started to pull out a sack containing only dirty clothes. She fought with it and played tug of war with the sack. It did not leave until the light was turned on and it's paw was smashed. The next two hours were spent chasing them away with rocks and trekking poles. They would casually move just out of reach and come right back looking in your face. There were at least a dozen. They opened our neighbor's Yeti cooler which had heavy duty latches. They were all over the picnic tables. They never left. We finally went back to bed and hoped for the best. They were constantly coming within a foot of the tents, cooing and screeching. The sack was a clean plastic grocery bag. They may have learned to associate those sacks with food so if you use them, keep them out of sight.
Vicente Trail: Wilderness Freeway.
Poison oak is hanging over the trail in hundreds of places but it is easily avoidable if you are very mindful.
Water is flowing at mile 3.4 near Espinoza. Also plenty of water in Hare Creek at Vicente Flat.
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
Dates: 24 May 2015
Hiked Vicente Trail from Kirk Creek campground to Vicente Flat camp
Observations:
Kirk creek campground is infested by a gang of fearless raccoons. If you stay there bring a slingshot and your own ammo. We ran out of throwing rocks. All of our food, toothpaste, etc was hung safely in a tree. That did not prevent one from ripping a large hole in the netting of my friend's tent 6" from her face. It then started to pull out a sack containing only dirty clothes. She fought with it and played tug of war with the sack. It did not leave until the light was turned on and it's paw was smashed. The next two hours were spent chasing them away with rocks and trekking poles. They would casually move just out of reach and come right back looking in your face. There were at least a dozen. They opened our neighbor's Yeti cooler which had heavy duty latches. They were all over the picnic tables. They never left. We finally went back to bed and hoped for the best. They were constantly coming within a foot of the tents, cooing and screeching. The sack was a clean plastic grocery bag. They may have learned to associate those sacks with food so if you use them, keep them out of sight.
Vicente Trail: Wilderness Freeway.
Poison oak is hanging over the trail in hundreds of places but it is easily avoidable if you are very mindful.
Water is flowing at mile 3.4 near Espinoza. Also plenty of water in Hare Creek at Vicente Flat.
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oaktown_joe
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri May 08, 2015 9:48 am
Vicente Flat Trail
Date Hiked: April 29, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
I ran & hiked Vicente Flat trail for 6.5 miles, then turned around, for a total 13 mile trip. First time I've been on this trail. Took off around 11:30am from trailhead, and returned 4 hours later.
Beginning was clear w/ great views. For me it was just enough of an incline that I could mostly run uphill, though I took breaks & walked in spots. The brush does reach in to the trail, and since I was wearing shorts I was worried about poison oak, but I came out unscathed.
A short time before I reached Vicente Flat camp, about 5 miles in, the air became thick with mosquitoes. It was extremely unpleasant, and I wouldn't want to camp there under such conditions. However, based on lori's May 2 report, I guess it isn't always like this. After Vicente Flat camp the trail is steep uphill, and slow going. There is water flowing in a creek a bit past the camp. For about a solid mile I was trudging uphill, with a swarm of bugs constantly in my face. It started to clear out a bit around the 6 mile mark.
My intention was to get to Cone Peak Road at the 7.5 mile mark, and then turn around. But at the 6.5 mile mark I saw movement in the brush a few feet away from me, and heard the unmistakable sound of an angry rattlesnake. I couldn't see the snake and didn't relish the idea of passing its territory twice just to get to Cone Peak—plus, the trail had become un-runnable, and the insects were bad, so I decided that was my turnaround point. The rattle continued for several minutes while I backed away, waited, and ultimately left the area.
On a Wednesday I had the trail almost to myself; for 3.5 hrs of my 4 hr jaunt, I saw only one other party. In the last 30 minutes as I approached the trailhead at Hwy 1 in the afternoon, I saw a few more people.
Overall, great trail, though next time I would just run maybe up the hill to Vicente Camp, or less, then turn around.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
I ran & hiked Vicente Flat trail for 6.5 miles, then turned around, for a total 13 mile trip. First time I've been on this trail. Took off around 11:30am from trailhead, and returned 4 hours later.
Beginning was clear w/ great views. For me it was just enough of an incline that I could mostly run uphill, though I took breaks & walked in spots. The brush does reach in to the trail, and since I was wearing shorts I was worried about poison oak, but I came out unscathed.
A short time before I reached Vicente Flat camp, about 5 miles in, the air became thick with mosquitoes. It was extremely unpleasant, and I wouldn't want to camp there under such conditions. However, based on lori's May 2 report, I guess it isn't always like this. After Vicente Flat camp the trail is steep uphill, and slow going. There is water flowing in a creek a bit past the camp. For about a solid mile I was trudging uphill, with a swarm of bugs constantly in my face. It started to clear out a bit around the 6 mile mark.
My intention was to get to Cone Peak Road at the 7.5 mile mark, and then turn around. But at the 6.5 mile mark I saw movement in the brush a few feet away from me, and heard the unmistakable sound of an angry rattlesnake. I couldn't see the snake and didn't relish the idea of passing its territory twice just to get to Cone Peak—plus, the trail had become un-runnable, and the insects were bad, so I decided that was my turnaround point. The rattle continued for several minutes while I backed away, waited, and ultimately left the area.
On a Wednesday I had the trail almost to myself; for 3.5 hrs of my 4 hr jaunt, I saw only one other party. In the last 30 minutes as I approached the trailhead at Hwy 1 in the afternoon, I saw a few more people.
Overall, great trail, though next time I would just run maybe up the hill to Vicente Camp, or less, then turn around.
Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: May 3, 2015
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
All trees that were on the trail between Highway 1 and Vicente Flat Camp as of May 3 have been removed. Also that large branch that had fallen and blocked the very start of the Stone Ridge Trail out of Vicente Flat Camp.
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
All trees that were on the trail between Highway 1 and Vicente Flat Camp as of May 3 have been removed. Also that large branch that had fallen and blocked the very start of the Stone Ridge Trail out of Vicente Flat Camp.
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erik
Re: Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: April 25, 2015
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
Wow! this trail was super clear! We encountered one easily passed dead fall, and there was definitely a lot of brush growing up into the trail, but I had no trouble finding the tread at any point, was able to avoid Poison Oak relatively easily, and I didn't get a single tick. I didn't do the rest of the stone ridge trail this time, but last time I did (a year ago) the conditions were excellent. If you're considering going from Kirk Creek to Cone Peak, now might be the best time to do it.
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
Wow! this trail was super clear! We encountered one easily passed dead fall, and there was definitely a lot of brush growing up into the trail, but I had no trouble finding the tread at any point, was able to avoid Poison Oak relatively easily, and I didn't get a single tick. I didn't do the rest of the stone ridge trail this time, but last time I did (a year ago) the conditions were excellent. If you're considering going from Kirk Creek to Cone Peak, now might be the best time to do it.
Re: Vicente Flat Trail (Girard Trail, Kirk Creek Trail)
Date Hiked: May 2, 2015
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We went up as a last minute thing. There are downed trees but we passed a small crew of folks with saws as they were going in. Thanks trail crew!
No mosquitoes. We camped in the small meadow up the canyon from the main grove. Saw one buzzing around the screen door of the tent, but no bites.
Very popular place for a good reason. It was nice out, perfect time of year, and cloud cover/marine layer kept us from baking on the exposed parts of the trail.
No water next to campsites, but a short hike up the canyon to where the two small streams meet got us a short stretch of flowing water that returns to underground in a hundred feet or so.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
We went up as a last minute thing. There are downed trees but we passed a small crew of folks with saws as they were going in. Thanks trail crew!
No mosquitoes. We camped in the small meadow up the canyon from the main grove. Saw one buzzing around the screen door of the tent, but no bites.
Very popular place for a good reason. It was nice out, perfect time of year, and cloud cover/marine layer kept us from baking on the exposed parts of the trail.
No water next to campsites, but a short hike up the canyon to where the two small streams meet got us a short stretch of flowing water that returns to underground in a hundred feet or so.