California
King Range National Conservation Area- Trail Conditions
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Current Trail Conditions: Novemeber 21, 2011
Trail Condition Comments
Buck Creek Trail | Passable | A few fallen trees and brushy in some sections. |
Chemise Mountain trails (including Hidden Valley trailhead, Chinquapin Loop and southern section of Lost Coast Trail) | Passable | The hike up to Chemise Mtn from Sinkyone Wilderness State Park is arduous. A few fallen trees.
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Cooskie Creek Trail (including Cooskie Spur) | Passable | New signs have been installed along the trail but there is no defined trail in some sections. Be sure to look for signs and use a map. Some sections need brushing. Watch for poison oak and ticks. The Cooskie Creek crossing—6.5 miles south of the junction with Lost Coast Trail—may be difficult or impossible to pass. |
Horse Mountain Creek Trail | Passable | A few fallen trees. |
King Crest Trail (Saddle Mountain to King Peak) | Passable | A dozen fallen trees, mostly in the northern half. One of the trees is difficult to pass with a backpack. |
King Crest Trail (King Peak to North Slide Peak and loop to Maple Camp) | Passable | A few fallen trees. One of the trees near the Lightning Trail junction is on a steep slope and is difficult to pass with a backpack. Smith-Etter Road, which provides access to North Slide Trailhead, is CLOSED for the season and will reopen on April 1, 2012. |
Kinsey Ridge Trail | Passable | This trail is well-used and maintained. The gate at the top is impassable to stock. Smith-Etter Road, which provides access to Kinsey Ridge Trailhead, is CLOSED for the season and will reopen on April 1, 2012. |
Lost Coast Trail (northern) | Passable | Be prepared to alter your trip if creeks are impassable. Four Mile Creek is often difficult to cross after storms. Creeks can come up suddenly and go down steadily after the rains. Avoid crossing creeks that are above knee-high. It is best to remove shoes and wade through the creeks instead of trying to cross on slippery logs or rocks. South of Sea Lion Gulch look for detour around impassable rock. Refer to picture below. |
Lightning Trail | Passable | A few fallen trees. |
Miller Loop | Passable | A few fallen trees, mostly in northern half. There is one tree in the southern half of the trail that is very close to the King Crest Trail junction and is difficult to pass. Smith-Etter Road, which provides access to North Slide Trailhead, is CLOSED for the season and will reopen on April 1, 2012. |
Rattlesnake Ridge Trail | Passable | A few fallen trees. There are four creek crossings between Big Flat and the switchbacks. May be impassable after a storm.
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Spanish Ridge Trail | Passable | This route primarily follows decommissioned roads. The grass is high. You will need good route-finding skills, particularly near the top. Smith-Etter Road, which provides access to Spanish Ridge Trialhead, is CLOSED for the season and will reopen on April 1, 2012.
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Upland Backcountry Camps & Water Sources (Maple Camp, Miller Camp, Bear Hollow Camp, Nick’s Camp) | There are reliable water sources at all backcountry camps. Bonus Spring is flowing along Miller Loop. Telegraph Spring is flowing along Smith-Etter Road. Pinnacle Spring has not been visited. All streams have reliable, flowing fresh water at their mouths at the ocean. All water in the backcountry should be treated with iodine, chlorine, boiling or filtration. Smith-Etter Road, which provides access to North Slide Trailhead, Kinsey Ridge Trailhead, and Spanish Ridge Trialhead, is CLOSED for the season and will reopen on April 1, 2012. |
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