Baldwin Ranch Road to Turkey Springs Camp

This route is a short but quite strenuous 13-mile trip designed to provide a taste of the Big Sur backcountry. It begins on Baldwin Ranch Road and travels to the backcountry camp at Turkey Springs, an area in the southern Silver Peak Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. Spend a night here and turn back, as this route suggests, or continue on to explore the wilderness further north. Baldwin Ranch Road begins off Highway 1 near Ragged Point Inn. 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 a crest to meet Dutra Creek, which it follows until meeting Spruce Creek Trail. Turkey Springs Camp is just about a mile up this trail. 

It is extremely important to note that trail conditions in Los Padres vary drastically from season to season and year to year. Check hikelospadres.com 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.