Uploaded February 2020 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago
The first 12 miles of this multi-night Silver Peak Wilderness Loop backpacking trip near the California coastline south of Big Sur included sweeping ocean views from the Buckeye Trail, a creative detour around a washed-out portion of Cruickshank Trail, and a pleasant night at Lion's Den campground.
Silver Peak Wilderness was established in 1992 by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act. On December 19, 2002, the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17,055 acres to the existing wilderness for a total of 31,555 acres that include dramatic scenery, steep terrain, coastal redwood groves. The Silver Peak Wilderness is located in the southwestern portion of the Monterey Ranger District and along the famous Big Sur coastline. Hiking is available on moderate to strenuous trails with wildlife present in more remote areas. Access to parts of the backcountry is by dirt roads and is open subject to weather conditions.
Encompassing the drainages of Willow Creek and Salmon Creek, Silver Peak Wilderness rises sharply from near the shore of the Pacific Ocean, an area of steep terrain that's part of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Silver Peak lifts to 3,590 feet in the northwestern section. Lush vegetation along the creeks, fern-covered canyons, grass, oak-dotted meadows, and heavy timber are some of the area's features. The Wilderness hides the world's southernmost stand of redwoods, an isolated grove of coastal redwoods. Also hidden here is a grove of rare Sargent cypress, gray pines, and Santa Lucia fir. Waterfalls brighten some of the streams in spring. From the higher country, on a clear day, you can see the Big Sur coastline to the north, the Pacific Ocean rolling restlessly to the west, and the Salinas Valley to the east. You may spot deer and squirrels, rabbits and raccoons, and perhaps hear a gobble from a wild turkey. Trails require moderate to strenuous exercise. The most popular pathway follows Salmon Creek for about 3.5 miles and offers a great view of Salmon Creek Falls. From Salmon Creek, you can take the trail leading to Spruce Creek (two miles) or other trails climbing north across the Wilderness.
Some of the text above was sourced from the following locations:
wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=554
fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10973
Here is a good resource for up-to-date rail conditions:
ventanawild.org/forums/silver-peak-wilderness-trails
Maps by:
Avenza app for iPhone
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Wikimedia Commons
Soundtrack by:
Boards of Canada
"New Seeds"
Afro Celts
"Deep Channel"
Ween
"Flutes of Chi"
Afro Celt Sound System
"Persistence of Memory (Remix)"
The first 12 miles of this multi-night Silver Peak Wilderness Loop backpacking trip near the California coastline south of Big Sur included sweeping ocean views from the Buckeye Trail, a creative detour around a washed-out portion of Cruickshank Trail, and a pleasant night at Lion's Den campground.
Silver Peak Wilderness was established in 1992 by the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act. On December 19, 2002, the Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act of 2002 added 17,055 acres to the existing wilderness for a total of 31,555 acres that include dramatic scenery, steep terrain, coastal redwood groves. The Silver Peak Wilderness is located in the southwestern portion of the Monterey Ranger District and along the famous Big Sur coastline. Hiking is available on moderate to strenuous trails with wildlife present in more remote areas. Access to parts of the backcountry is by dirt roads and is open subject to weather conditions.
Encompassing the drainages of Willow Creek and Salmon Creek, Silver Peak Wilderness rises sharply from near the shore of the Pacific Ocean, an area of steep terrain that's part of the Santa Lucia Mountains. Silver Peak lifts to 3,590 feet in the northwestern section. Lush vegetation along the creeks, fern-covered canyons, grass, oak-dotted meadows, and heavy timber are some of the area's features. The Wilderness hides the world's southernmost stand of redwoods, an isolated grove of coastal redwoods. Also hidden here is a grove of rare Sargent cypress, gray pines, and Santa Lucia fir. Waterfalls brighten some of the streams in spring. From the higher country, on a clear day, you can see the Big Sur coastline to the north, the Pacific Ocean rolling restlessly to the west, and the Salinas Valley to the east. You may spot deer and squirrels, rabbits and raccoons, and perhaps hear a gobble from a wild turkey. Trails require moderate to strenuous exercise. The most popular pathway follows Salmon Creek for about 3.5 miles and offers a great view of Salmon Creek Falls. From Salmon Creek, you can take the trail leading to Spruce Creek (two miles) or other trails climbing north across the Wilderness.
Some of the text above was sourced from the following locations:
wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=554
fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10973
Here is a good resource for up-to-date rail conditions:
ventanawild.org/forums/silver-peak-wilderness-trails
Maps by:
Avenza app for iPhone
Ventana Wilderness Alliance
Wikimedia Commons
Soundtrack by:
Boards of Canada
"New Seeds"
Afro Celts
"Deep Channel"
Ween
"Flutes of Chi"
Afro Celt Sound System
"Persistence of Memory (Remix)"
