Ventana Wilderness Alliance website - Ventana Wilderness Alliance Trailcrew webpage

Arroyo Seco Trail Work Trip

September 23-25, 2005

Introduction and Summary

The Arroyo Seco Trail connects Memorial Campground (and the Santa Lucia Trail) with the Coast Ridge Trail. It gains about 2500' in the 5.0 miles up to the Coast Ridge. We stayed at Lower Forks Camp (1.7 miles in), and worked between the second river crossing (2.0 miles) and Madrone Camp (3.0 miles).

Trip Leader: Dave Knapp. Crewmembers: Robert Parks, Mark Maslow, Dave Nelson, Robert Knapp, Judy Boyer, John Yeo. Forest Service: Pat Bailey, Luke Crenkle.

Trailwork Plan

Our original information was that the trail deteriorated rapidly past the second river crossing, prior to that the trail was known to be in "Wilderness Freeway" condition. As it turned out, the section from there to False Madrone Camp (at the third river crossing) was in relatively good condition with minor brush encroachment and several step-over logs. Between False Madrone Camp and Madrone Camp the going got more challenging with various larger and more hazardous trees down and some unpleasantly brushy areas, although the tread was generally in good shape.

Accomplishments

Brush, logs and deadfall removed from the second river crossing to False Madrone Camp - Wilderness Freeway. Above False Madrone Camp, some logs, deadfall and brush removed, several duck-under and climb-overs remain, as well as one short but sketchy trail diversion - Passable.