Hike notes:
Kirk Creek Trail to Vicente Flat Camp
Round Trip: 10 miles, 2900 ft.gain
Overview
Attractions are iconic coastal views and Cone Peak view enroute. Popular destination
(so can get overcrowded) with dispersed camp spots in large redwood grove.
Can combine with dayhike to Cone Peak or do the Cone Peak Loop
(aka Stone Ridge Loop) for views.
Camps
Attractive campspots amid redwoods. Perennial water but in summer can require going
upstream in Hare Creek.
Vicente Camp can get crowded, especially on weekends, so not a place for solitude/privacy/quiet - especially at the southern-most campspots.
An alternative with more privacy and a view of Cone Peak is meadow with flat shadeed spots 0.4 up the Stone Ridge Trail
(but water must be carried water up there).
Access
72 hour parking along Route 1 at trailhead.
Detailed Hike Descriptions:
Disambiguration: in below, "Vicente Flat Trail" really means the officially-named "Kirk Creek Trail" (from Route 1 to Vicente Flat)
Surrounding Hike Links
Excursion to Cone Peak:
Cone Peak Loop (aka Stone Ridge Loop):
Jim Ringland's photos with descriptions for Kirk Creek Trail and Cone Peak Loop
External webpages - Hike Reports & Videos:
Backpacking Big Sur's Cone Peak- Sea to Summit
Big Sur Backpacking - Cone Peak, Sea to Sky
Related Links