WARNING:
THERE IS A SKETCHY SLIDE LOCATED ABOUT 4 MILES UP THE TRAIL FROM UPPER OSO ALONG THE SOUTH SLOPE OF LITTLE PINE MOUNTAIN THAT IS NOT PASSABLE FOR SOME TRAIL USERS. THE SLIDE IS 100% NOT STOCK PASSABLE. WHILE MOST HIKERS AND MOUNTAIN BIKERS ARE ABLE TO GET PAST THE SLIDE, THERE ARE SOME WHO HAVE TO TURN AROUND DUE TO THE SKETCHINESS AND EXPOSURE AT THE SLIDE LOCATION.
OTHER THAN THAT, THE TRAIL IS FOLLOWABLE AND IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE BY LOS PADRES STANDARDS FROM UPPER OSO TO MISSION PINE BASIN.
CONTINUED EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO RESTORE THE TRAIL BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A FEW YEARS FOR THE TRAIL WORK TO BE COMPLETED. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO HELP, CONTACT THE LPFA AT: INFO@LPFOREST.ORG
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The Santa Cruz Trail starts about a mile above Upper Oso along the Buckhorn Rd and ends at Mission Pine Basin. The trail starts in Oso Canyon and winds up towards Little Pine through the oaks and along the creek. It passes 19 Oaks camp and then starts a steady climb up Little Pine Mtn. At Alexander Saddle the trail drops down into the Santa Cruz drainage amongst pines, serpentine rocks and grasslands. After passing Little Pine Spring Camp, the trail passes along a steep sidehill called the "40 Mile Wall". Even though the this section of the trail is only 2+ miles long, it feels much longer as the trail undulates in and out of side canyons. Shortly after the 40 Mile Wall the trail switches back into Santa Cruz Station and Santa Cruz Creek.
From here the trail climbes steeply through Romo Poterero, up and over into the San Rafael Wilderness. The trail crosses the West Fork Santa Cruz just below Flores Flat Camp before heading up Coche Creek. There are two camps along Coche Creek (Kellogg and Coche) before the trail climbs steeply up the San Rafael Mtns to its terminus at Mission Pine Basin.
NOTE:
The non-wilderness sections of the trail are popular with mtn bikers, horses and hikers. If you are a mtn biker PLEASE WEAR BELLS ON YOUR BIKE. It helps everyone. Thanks.