Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Trip 74
DUTRA FLAT & SAN CARPOFORO CAMPS
LENGTH AND TYPE: 15.6-mile out-and-back
RATING: Strenuous
TRAIL CONDITION: Passable to difficult, poison oak, cattle trails, faint tread
HIGHLIGHTS: Find solitude amid oak-studded golden hills, peaceful pine groves, and open meadows
blanketed in fragrant spring wildflowers.
TO REACH THE TRAILHEAD: The signed Salmon Creek Trailhead is at the tight bend in
Highway 1, 8 miles south of Gorda, 27 miles south of Big Sur Station, 1.5 miles north
of the posted San Luis Obispo County line, and 3.7 miles north of Ragged Point. Park
at wide turnouts on either side of Highway 1. There are no facilities or water at the
trailhead.
TRIP SUMMARY: This route offers several out-and-back day hikes and overnight op-
tions, including: (1) 4 miles round-trip to Spruce Creek Camp, (2) 8.4 miles round-trip
to Dutra Flat, (3) 12.2 miles round-trip to Turkey Springs Camp, and (4) 15.6 miles
round-trip to San Carpoforo Camp. The Spruce Creek Trail becomes the San Carpo-
foro Trail at Dutra Flat.
The hike begins on a gentle ascent of the Salmon Creek drainage with views
down-canyon to the often-fogbound coast. Onward, the trail climbs to the headwaters
of the Spruce Creek drainage. Across the divide between the Spruce Creek and Dutra
Creek watersheds, the San Carpoforo Trail winds past historic homestead sites and
golden hills. You'll find a rich array of vegetation and terrain along the way, from ri-
parian forests, to oak savannas, and wildflower-strewn open meadows.
Visit in spring to witness spectacular wildflower displays along the slopes of
the San Carpoforo watershed. In winter, rain-saturated hillsides sprout vibrant green
grasses and herbaceous plants. Year-round water sources are available at each camp in
all but the driest years. Ticks are prolific during the wet season (November through
April), flies and gnats are persistent in summer, and poison oak is unavoidable along
the lower sections of the Spruce Creek Trail. On my hike, the last 100 yards to San
Carpoforo Camp were overgrown with willow thickets and head-high stinging nettles.
Trip Description
See TRIP 73 Salmon Creek Trail to Spruce Creek & Estrella Camps for the first 1.8
miles of this route to the Spruce Creek Trail junction (1.8 miles, 1020').
Search WWH ::




Custom Search