Date Hiked: March 3, 2019
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
If you are using trails in the Big Sur Area be safe. There was a rescue last weekend due to poor planning by the user. Cal Fire had to come two miles to save this person. Spruce Creek rose 4 feet over night after an inch of rain. There is no cell service these people were lucky some one came by to get help.
Salmon Creek Trail
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: February 9, 2019
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
VWA/USFS Wilderness Rangers Patrolled from Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Camp and back. The trail is clear with a couple of snags that need ducking under. Spruce Camp is a boggy mess. We did not cross the creek it was roaring today.
We also went up the Spruce Creek Trail to the slide. Trail is in fair shape and the trail across the slide is intact at this time. A couple of snags or downed trees to negotiate.
Be safe and have a valid fire permite before venturing in on an overnight trip.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
VWA/USFS Wilderness Rangers Patrolled from Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Camp and back. The trail is clear with a couple of snags that need ducking under. Spruce Camp is a boggy mess. We did not cross the creek it was roaring today.
We also went up the Spruce Creek Trail to the slide. Trail is in fair shape and the trail across the slide is intact at this time. A couple of snags or downed trees to negotiate.
Be safe and have a valid fire permite before venturing in on an overnight trip.
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K Vandevere
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:50 pm
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: January 30, 2019
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
From Hwy. 1 to the Spruce Creek/Dutra/Three Peaks-or-whatever-you-want-to-call-it trail junction.
This heavily used trail is absolutely wide open. Well, OK, there is one snag that most people will have to duck slightly to get under, but that does not stop it from being a Wilderness Freeway. Lots of milkmaids, shooting stars, buttercups, fritillaria, California peony, etc. blooming. Lots of water in the creeks.
General Condition: Wilderness Freeway (Heavily used and well maintained)
From Hwy. 1 to the Spruce Creek/Dutra/Three Peaks-or-whatever-you-want-to-call-it trail junction.
This heavily used trail is absolutely wide open. Well, OK, there is one snag that most people will have to duck slightly to get under, but that does not stop it from being a Wilderness Freeway. Lots of milkmaids, shooting stars, buttercups, fritillaria, California peony, etc. blooming. Lots of water in the creeks.
Re: Salmon Creek Trail to Spruce Camp
Date Hiked: December 8, 2018
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers Patrolled from Highway 1 to Spruce Camp and back today after the recent storms. For the most part the trail is clear all the way to Spruce Camp. There are a couple new snags that have been cleared so you can easily walk under them. One snag is hung up in a tree and may fall soon. The water in Spruce Creek was too high to safely cross the stream on this trip.
Other Notes: The Spruce Creek Slide has held up reasonable well.
Lastly though it is quite wet at this point, it is still Fire Season until further notice. Hopefully that will be lifted soon.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
VWA/USFS Volunteer Rangers Patrolled from Highway 1 to Spruce Camp and back today after the recent storms. For the most part the trail is clear all the way to Spruce Camp. There are a couple new snags that have been cleared so you can easily walk under them. One snag is hung up in a tree and may fall soon. The water in Spruce Creek was too high to safely cross the stream on this trip.
Other Notes: The Spruce Creek Slide has held up reasonable well.
Lastly though it is quite wet at this point, it is still Fire Season until further notice. Hopefully that will be lifted soon.
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David Hirsch
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: October 20, 2018
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
From Hwy 1 to Estrella Camp, trail is excellent. Above Estrella, in the last mile before the SCRR, brush encroaches and tread has some slumps.
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
From Hwy 1 to Estrella Camp, trail is excellent. Above Estrella, in the last mile before the SCRR, brush encroaches and tread has some slumps.
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: July 20, 2018
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
(Editor's note: This Trail Report was submitted to the VWA office via email. It reports on conditions experienced during a recent loop completed using the Salmon Creek, Cruikshank, and Buckeye trails.)
Salmon Creek Trailhead to Estrella Camp -
The trail is in good condition. Lots of Poison Oak present throughout this trail. Most of the PO is avoidable, but the climb from the start to approximately the first mile of this trailhead is fairly vertical from the start so due to the fatigue factor, it is not always easily avoidable. We hit the trial fairly early (0800) so the coast was shrouded in fog which really helped us get through the initial climb and successive climbs to follow.
Estrella Camp to Lions Den -
Easy to miss where the trail continues at this point as the trail looks to head east but ends shortly after a campsite. The actual trail goes downhill after the middle campsite. The slide area about a third of a mile north of Estella Camp was fairly stable with two areas of active slide. This slide looks the same as it did 15 years ago. This is a fairly large slide but easily passable. The trail is in good condition until you hit the chaparral. At this point the trail has areas that close in with vegetation (and PO) with lots of areas where stooping, bending and working through equipment snagging on vegetation. At this point of the trail, there is little shade available and you are in mostly full sun with some minimal shade provided by the chaparral. I was also annoyed at the amount of debris that was on my neck and down my shirt due to the dried vegetation falling on me as my pack worked through it. I wore my baseball hat backwards which helped a little, but recommend a hat with a shade cloth on the back in this section as well as the upper Cruickshank. Additionally, in this area and the upper Cruickshank, I recommend wearing long pants and long sleeves. If you are very sensitive to PO, I also recommend gloves.
Lions Den to Buckeye Trail- (editor's note: presumably via the Cruikshank Trail)
This is the most challenging part of the loop (in terms of vegetation closing in) as the vegetation and trail are both challenging. In this 4 mile part of the trail there are numerous slides (all fairly small) that are very recent and still moving with little or no established trail. Some of the slide areas have trails that are not more than a foot width wide ( a hiking boot wide, not 12 inches) so footing is important as is your pack stability. A recent report states that PO is present from the ankle to overhead and that is an accurate report. It is everywhere and not avoidable. The most recent report also states that crawling is necessary along with hand-fighting and stooping. Depending on your height and the size of your backpack this may or may not be correct. I am 5'-7" and my daughter is 5'-2" so we never had to crawl but we did have to stoop, bend, hand fight and traverse sideways to maneuver the trail due to the vegetation. We experience the most equipment snags and slips on this part of the trail. I "hit the deck" when my shoe laces snagged on small cut stumps. Gaiters would have helped had I owned them!
The number and size of Madrone trees on this part of the trail (and the upper Salmon trail) is fascinating and beautiful. Additionally, in the first mile after Lions Den the old forest road is full of obsidian rock in small shards and large rock or boulders. Really fascinating.
Buckeye Trial to Salmon Creek Trailhead -
Great trail, very easy to maneuver. Some PO, especially in the climb from the Cruickshank trail to the saddle (1 to 1.5 miles). The rest of the trail is a joy. All down hill, with little PO which is easily avoidable. There is a new Oak branch fall that blocks the trial where your need to either go under or squeeze by it on the uphill side. We both squeezed by fairly easily on the uphill side. The end of the trail closest to the Buckeye trailhead is getting overgrown and there is some PO at hip to shoulder level in this area.
Other item of interest -
If folks are traveling from the south to the trailhead, watch for a small herd of Elk. We saw about 20 cows on both sides of route 1 on our trip to the trailhead and then saw 2 or 3 stags west of route 1 on our trip back home with the cows on a ridge on the east side of route 1. This was about 3 miles south of Ragged Point.
Mike Meko
General Condition: Passable (some brush and/or deadfalls, tread evident)
(Editor's note: This Trail Report was submitted to the VWA office via email. It reports on conditions experienced during a recent loop completed using the Salmon Creek, Cruikshank, and Buckeye trails.)
Salmon Creek Trailhead to Estrella Camp -
The trail is in good condition. Lots of Poison Oak present throughout this trail. Most of the PO is avoidable, but the climb from the start to approximately the first mile of this trailhead is fairly vertical from the start so due to the fatigue factor, it is not always easily avoidable. We hit the trial fairly early (0800) so the coast was shrouded in fog which really helped us get through the initial climb and successive climbs to follow.
Estrella Camp to Lions Den -
Easy to miss where the trail continues at this point as the trail looks to head east but ends shortly after a campsite. The actual trail goes downhill after the middle campsite. The slide area about a third of a mile north of Estella Camp was fairly stable with two areas of active slide. This slide looks the same as it did 15 years ago. This is a fairly large slide but easily passable. The trail is in good condition until you hit the chaparral. At this point the trail has areas that close in with vegetation (and PO) with lots of areas where stooping, bending and working through equipment snagging on vegetation. At this point of the trail, there is little shade available and you are in mostly full sun with some minimal shade provided by the chaparral. I was also annoyed at the amount of debris that was on my neck and down my shirt due to the dried vegetation falling on me as my pack worked through it. I wore my baseball hat backwards which helped a little, but recommend a hat with a shade cloth on the back in this section as well as the upper Cruickshank. Additionally, in this area and the upper Cruickshank, I recommend wearing long pants and long sleeves. If you are very sensitive to PO, I also recommend gloves.
Lions Den to Buckeye Trail- (editor's note: presumably via the Cruikshank Trail)
This is the most challenging part of the loop (in terms of vegetation closing in) as the vegetation and trail are both challenging. In this 4 mile part of the trail there are numerous slides (all fairly small) that are very recent and still moving with little or no established trail. Some of the slide areas have trails that are not more than a foot width wide ( a hiking boot wide, not 12 inches) so footing is important as is your pack stability. A recent report states that PO is present from the ankle to overhead and that is an accurate report. It is everywhere and not avoidable. The most recent report also states that crawling is necessary along with hand-fighting and stooping. Depending on your height and the size of your backpack this may or may not be correct. I am 5'-7" and my daughter is 5'-2" so we never had to crawl but we did have to stoop, bend, hand fight and traverse sideways to maneuver the trail due to the vegetation. We experience the most equipment snags and slips on this part of the trail. I "hit the deck" when my shoe laces snagged on small cut stumps. Gaiters would have helped had I owned them!
The number and size of Madrone trees on this part of the trail (and the upper Salmon trail) is fascinating and beautiful. Additionally, in the first mile after Lions Den the old forest road is full of obsidian rock in small shards and large rock or boulders. Really fascinating.
Buckeye Trial to Salmon Creek Trailhead -
Great trail, very easy to maneuver. Some PO, especially in the climb from the Cruickshank trail to the saddle (1 to 1.5 miles). The rest of the trail is a joy. All down hill, with little PO which is easily avoidable. There is a new Oak branch fall that blocks the trial where your need to either go under or squeeze by it on the uphill side. We both squeezed by fairly easily on the uphill side. The end of the trail closest to the Buckeye trailhead is getting overgrown and there is some PO at hip to shoulder level in this area.
Other item of interest -
If folks are traveling from the south to the trailhead, watch for a small herd of Elk. We saw about 20 cows on both sides of route 1 on our trip to the trailhead and then saw 2 or 3 stags west of route 1 on our trip back home with the cows on a ridge on the east side of route 1. This was about 3 miles south of Ragged Point.
Mike Meko
Re: Salmon Creek Trail to Estrella Camp
Date Hiked: July 14, 2018
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
To all:
Had a chance to patrol to Estrella Camp and back.The trail is clear as stated in the previous reports. The good news is the 3 foot diameter tree before Spruce Camp has been removed. Photo in previous report.
Also remember, we are now in higher fire restrcitions no campfires in the back country. Only portable Stoves with a valid Campfire Permit are allowed.
Happy Hiking.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
To all:
Had a chance to patrol to Estrella Camp and back.The trail is clear as stated in the previous reports. The good news is the 3 foot diameter tree before Spruce Camp has been removed. Photo in previous report.
Also remember, we are now in higher fire restrcitions no campfires in the back country. Only portable Stoves with a valid Campfire Permit are allowed.
Happy Hiking.
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: March 31, 2018
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Had a chance to explore the Salmon Creek Trail from Highway 1 to above Estrella Camp.
For the most part the trail is clear, except for a 36 inch downed tree just before Spruce Camp. The camps are clean at this time. Spruce Creek was crossable with care. Hiking poles make it much easier. Once past Spruce Camp, the Salmon Creek Slide is in fair shape and easily traversable. There are a few places where recent rains have caused minor slides along the trail
The tree snag and big rock are still in the trail shortly past Salmon Creek Slide.
Lots of flowers today.
Went a 1/4 mile past Estrella Camp, Trail was it good shape. Still a 1 mile brushy section past the camp.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
Had a chance to explore the Salmon Creek Trail from Highway 1 to above Estrella Camp.
For the most part the trail is clear, except for a 36 inch downed tree just before Spruce Camp. The camps are clean at this time. Spruce Creek was crossable with care. Hiking poles make it much easier. Once past Spruce Camp, the Salmon Creek Slide is in fair shape and easily traversable. There are a few places where recent rains have caused minor slides along the trail
The tree snag and big rock are still in the trail shortly past Salmon Creek Slide.
Lots of flowers today.
Went a 1/4 mile past Estrella Camp, Trail was it good shape. Still a 1 mile brushy section past the camp.
- Attachments
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- Large Tree before Spruce Camp.
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: February 25, 2018
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The VWA hosted a Youth in Wilderness Outing with Cal Poly Students the weekend of 2/23/2018. 11 volunteers, four VWA Staff and a Trail Crew leader were on the Trip. They did lots of work brushing and rebuilding tread above Estrella Camp. They fixed two slide areas and removed the tree just before the Spruce Creek Junction. Trail conditions are as follows.
Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Camp Clear
Spruce Creek Camp to Estrella Camp Clear with one set of rocks still in the trail and a tree snag that will be hard to remove.
Estrella Camp to Coast Ridge Road, Passable. The Top 0.9 mikes is clear, a 1.2 mile section below that is very brushy. From there down to Estrella Camp Clear.
The trail is getting better all the time thanks to the efforts of VWA, Volunteer Rangers and Trail Crew members.
General Condition: Clear (no obstacles and tread well defined)
The VWA hosted a Youth in Wilderness Outing with Cal Poly Students the weekend of 2/23/2018. 11 volunteers, four VWA Staff and a Trail Crew leader were on the Trip. They did lots of work brushing and rebuilding tread above Estrella Camp. They fixed two slide areas and removed the tree just before the Spruce Creek Junction. Trail conditions are as follows.
Highway 1 to Spruce Creek Camp Clear
Spruce Creek Camp to Estrella Camp Clear with one set of rocks still in the trail and a tree snag that will be hard to remove.
Estrella Camp to Coast Ridge Road, Passable. The Top 0.9 mikes is clear, a 1.2 mile section below that is very brushy. From there down to Estrella Camp Clear.
The trail is getting better all the time thanks to the efforts of VWA, Volunteer Rangers and Trail Crew members.
- Attachments
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pmallory
Re: Salmon Creek Trail
Date Hiked: February 18, 2018
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
The trail is in great condition from highway one until just before Spruce Creek Camp. At that point there was a very large tree across the trail. We bushwhacked uphill to get around the log. It look like other people clambered over at various points. There isn't a well worn detour yet.
The trail is in good shape between Spruce Creek Camp and Estrella Camp.
Uphill of Estrella there is a landslide, but the path across it is well worn so it's easy to follow. Uphill of that there are some very brushy sections. We made it through with lots of ducking and getting whacked by branches. It'd be helpful if someone came through with a machete.
General Condition: Difficult (brushy and/or many deadfalls, faint tread)
The trail is in great condition from highway one until just before Spruce Creek Camp. At that point there was a very large tree across the trail. We bushwhacked uphill to get around the log. It look like other people clambered over at various points. There isn't a well worn detour yet.
The trail is in good shape between Spruce Creek Camp and Estrella Camp.
Uphill of Estrella there is a landslide, but the path across it is well worn so it's easy to follow. Uphill of that there are some very brushy sections. We made it through with lots of ducking and getting whacked by branches. It'd be helpful if someone came through with a machete.