Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spruce Creek flows past moss- and fern-covered boulders shaded by a lush riparian forest.
From the unmarked spur junction, you'll continue climbing a moderate grade up
the south canyon wall. The trail soon switchbacks past a seasonal creek to a rocky
viewpoint (0.3 mile, 760') that overlooks Salmon Creek's downstream passage to the
Pacific.
Fog may obscure the view in summer.
Notice the diverse plant life and dramatic vegetation shift in the canyon. A lush
riparian forest of alders, maples, and bays along the canyon floor gives way to coastal
scrub of fragrant sagebrush, sticky monkeyflowers, and coffeeberries, followed by a
rocky, arid zone of succulents such as Our Lord's candle. The latter, a yucca, dies
soon after sprouting a large stalk of cream-colored blossoms.
Onward, the trail switchbacks past a conspicuous mound of light-green, slippery
serpentine
(0.5 mile, 760'), California's state rock. Formed of basalt sediments from
ancient seafloors, this stone slithered along fault lines to the surface. Many geologists
believe this explains serpentine's slick appearance. Few plants can survive in shallow,
nutrient-poor serpentine soils. A few “serpentine endemics” have adapted, including
California poppies, yucca, and other tenacious succulents. Pause to enjoy unobstruc-
ted ocean vistas across Highway 1 and west down Salmon Creek's sheer V-shaped
canyon.
The trail continues to climb the north-facing slopes through dense coastal shrub
into the shade of sprawling live oaks and bays. Past a gradual turn east, you'll reach
an easily overlooked
spur junction
(0.8 mile, 940'). This spur leads northeast 40 feet
to two small unofficial camps. Each can accommodate up to two tents, though neither
is as pleasant as Spruce Creek or Estrella Camps. The nearest reliable water is back
down at Salmon Creek.
The main trail continues its moderate climb past fragrant black sage and
sagebrush thickets and mats of hedge nettles, which boast deep lavender blossoms in
spring. Just past an unreliable creek (dry in all but heavy rain), you'll reach a
crest
(1.5 miles, 1050'), then gradually descend past groves of Douglas firs, tanoaks, and
bays amid dense huckleberry bushes. The trail contours along the south canyon wall,
passing two more
seasonal creeks
(1.8 miles, 1010'). Even in winter, these crossings
will be an easy hop.
Fifty feet past the last creek, you'll reach the signed
Spruce Creek Trail junc-
tion
(1020'). From here the
Spruce Creek Trail
leads southeast 2.5 miles to
Dutra
Flat Camp,
4 miles to
Turkey Springs Camp,
and 6 miles to
San Carpoforo Camp
(see
TRIP 74 Dutra Flat & San Carpoforo Camps
). The
Salmon Creek Trail
contin-
ues northeast a quarter mile to Spruce Creek Camp, 1.5 miles to Estrella Camp, and
4 miles to Coast Ridge Road. The trail past Estrella Camp may be overgrown with
brush and impassable to Coast Ridge Road.
