Baldwin Ranch Road to Spruce Creek Camp

This route travels between Baldwin Ranch Road and Spruce Creek Camp in the Silver Peak Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. It is an out-and-back here, but can easily be made into a point-to-point shuttle by continuing on from Spruce Creek Camp to finish at Salmon Creek Trailhead. Our route is 21 miles long, which can make for a long day trip or as an opportunity for a shorter backcountry overnight trip. Turkey Springs Camp, Dutra Camp, and Spruce Creek Camp are all backcountry camps along the way. The first two of these are higher up along the hillsides, while Spruce Creek Camp is under the canopy and along the voluminous Salmon Creek, and thus very different in scenery. The route begins on Baldwin Ranch Road, just off Highway 1 near Ragged Point. It is a dirt road that wastes no time in gaining elevation, steeply climbing into the mountains of the Santa Lucia Range. It descends from the crest to meet Dutra Creek, which it follows until meeting Spruce Creek Trail. Turkey Springs Camp is just about a mile up this trail, and Dutra Flat Campground is just under two miles from there. Spruce Creek Trail can be hidden in the grasses at times, though it is oftentimes marked with cairns. Spruce Creek Camp can be found after a lengthy descent into the forest (watch out for poison oak here). 

It is extremely important to note that trail conditions in Los Padres vary drastically from season to season and year to year. Check https://bigsurtrailmap.net/trailconditions.html for the most updated trail conditions and water reports, and please share your trip reports on the site upon your return so that everyone can safely explore this wonderful area. This area can be extremely dry and hot, as well as extremely wet and cold. Be prepared! Additionally, check https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres for current information and important updates in Los Padres National Forest.