Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
One of the most dramatic gorges in the wilderness is found just below Round Rock Camp.
For the most part, the tread is well established and easy to follow, except at a few
of the numerous river fords. If you find yourself on anything other than an obvious
trail, you've likely wandered off course. Simply backtrack until you rejoin the official
trail.
After two more river crossings, you may catch whiffs of sulfur (similar to the
smell of rotten eggs), your pungent introduction to
Sulphur Springs Camp
(5.8
miles, 1350'). Unfortunately, these hot springs rich in hydrogen sulfide are not large
enough to soak in. One site is equipped with a table and cooking grate. This camp
and Buckskin Flat Camp are the smallest and least attractive of the camps along the
Carmel River.
You're better off staying at Carmel River Camp or venturing farther to
idyllic
Hiding Canyon Camp.
The latter lies just 3.4 miles from the trailhead but re-
quires more than two dozen river crossings, which, depending on water levels, poison
oak, flies, and ticks, can be an arduous trek.
From Sulphur Springs, the trail crosses a year-round creek that originates from
the east slope of
Elephant Mountain,
which forms the granite southwest wall of the
Carmel River drainage 4020 feet above. Upstream, you'll cross five more times amid
riparian woodlands dominated by bigleaf maples, black oaks, sycamores, and alders
