Little Pine Mountain and 19 Oaks

Little Pine, at 4506 ft. is a challenging hike to a prominent, pine tree-covered ridge along the Santa Cruz Trail. 19 Oaks is an easy hike along the creek bed.

The hike begins in the Upper Oso campground off Paradise Rd., first following an OHV road, then joining the Santa Cruz Trail. The hike to Little Pine is 10.5 miles round trip, and very strenuous and steep. Especially towards the top. The views of the Santa Ynez Valley are spectacular at the top.

For a shorter hike, you can stop at 19 Oaks at the 2 mile mark, a short overnight destination for backpacking.

For a much longer backpack, continue along the trail that heads toward the summit, then go down into the canyon behind Little Pine Mountain to Santa Cruz Camp. Santa Cruz Camp features a Forest Service cabin, which is locked. You can camp out behind it where there are picnic tables and a fire ring The valley is shaded and beautiful, with a flowing creek and wildflowers in the spring.

You will need an Adventure Pass to park.

Little Pine Mountain and 19 Oaks Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: November 6, 2009, 9:56 pm
by: TheBeeman

Hiked to Santa Cruz Station to check on the "40 mile wall". Trail is in excellent condition from Alexander Pass to Santa Cruz Station. CCCs have worked this trail and put in some great crib walls.

Water report:

1. No water in creek from SC trailhead to 19 Oaks; no water in water trough at camp.

2. Stock Trough - water dribbling out of spring pipe: water in trough for stock.

3. Water at Little Pine Springs Camp

4. Lots of water in Santa Cruz Creek.

This is the best time to hike to Santa Cruz Station. Grass is starting to grow. Cool temps. No flies or mosquitos.

Pics of our trip at:

http://picasaweb.google.com/beemancron

Happy Trails

The Beeman

Posted: April 22, 2009, 11:36 am
by: GoldenBear

Now that I have (somewhat) learned how to post photos online, you can view my pictures at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pr77x/sets/72157617097910990/detail/

Posted: March 27, 2009, 7:36 pm
by: GoldenBear

:D
Does it get any better than my hike from Upper Oso to Happy Hollow, via 19 Oaks, on Tuesday, March 24th?
Skies? -- Sunny, blue, and clear
Temperature? -- High 60's
Wind? -- Light breeze
Flowers? -- In peak of bloom
Water levels? -- Coming a few days after a major rain storm, the Oso Creek was flowing well and clear
Trail condition? -- Easy to follow, with only one noticeable problem
Trail crowding? -- Not one other person seen
Pictures? -- Got several photos I doubt I could match

The trail has been well described in above posts, so I'll just give an update, and note things that might help a first-timer (like me).

The damage from the Zaca Fire can still be seen, particularly at Happy Hollow -- where it will be obvious for YEARS to come. However, the regenerative power of the creation is also easily viewable, when you see green all around you.

You cross Oso Creek twice before coming to 19 Oaks Campsite Spur Trail, and once more just after passing it. Even with about two centimeters of rain having fallen two days before, a crossing was not difficult.

There are two spur trails going up to 19 Oaks, and only the second one (as you head north) is marked. This latter one is much more heavily eroded, so maybe it would be best to use the first. As noted above, the third crossing of Oso Creek is just beyond the spur trails.

The spring at 19 Oaks is running quite well.

About 80% of the way up, you come across an area where inevitable slides of small bits of shale have buried the trail. You can walk across these piles IF you maintain your balance. Expect to get pebbles in your boots. You do NOT want to slip at this point; it's only for those with good balance. There's a shovel and rake on the trail to clear this debris, but you'll feel like King Canute ordering the tide to go back.

Several kinds of wildflowers are right on or near the trail, including California poppies. If you've ever wanted to see this area in bloom, now is the time.

Had no real problem with any kinds of insects, but this may have been due to the breeze.

Posted: March 24, 2009, 9:59 pm
by: scott

Wife & I hiked Santa Cruz Trail off Jeepway from Upper Oso on 21 MAR. It was ovc but didn't rain, and was pleasant for hiking except that there were no views at elevation. First time we hiked this trail, so don't know landmarks well....About two hrs into hike we passed a grassy clearing on the right side of the trail where some trail maintenance timbers were resting on the ground, and if visibility allowed, there would have been a nice view thru a gap. Anyway, a few more minutes up the trail (.25 mi?), considerable trailwork had been done to control the sliding shale with retaining walls on the upper and lower side of the trail. We easily crossed the first area where the upper retaining wall had been overrun by sliding shale, but the second slide was impassable (for us). There was about 15-20 feet of shale that created a continuous slope across the trail. The footing was somewhat stable for the first 8-10 ft, but then grew dicey and was deeper. At the far end of the slide, the upper and lower retaining walls were barely visible beneath the shale. It didn't pass the risk/reward test for us. It was not possible, without greater risk, to go around the slide in either direction (above or below).

Downbound, we spoke briefly to some ascending cyclists who claimed they crossed the same slide earlier in the week by running across with their bikes on shoulder. More power to 'em...

Posted: March 1, 2009, 9:21 pm
by: BernardMines

Hi all,

Just hiked out to Santa Cruz station via Upper Oso. I went with my compadres Don Jack and Poppy the pug.

The trail to Alexander Saddle is in pretty good shape. I've hiked it 3 times in the past month. Though it gets a lot of Mt. Bike travel and its starting to get rutted out in places, and maybe a little chute like its still a great trail.

Its been 25 years since I last hiked to Santa Cruz Station. And back then I remember the trail from the saddle down as quite easy and smooth sailing. Now I'd say its starting to get in rough shape. The trail has that quality that many of the further inland trails up in Big Sur have. Overgrown and lots of growth on the trail, not many people get out here and it shows. But it is at least as georgous as I remember it to be. So that said if you're looking for an overnighter look no further!!!
But you better be at least a little intrepid.

From Alexander Saddle the trail does a large slowly descending crescent to get you on the 2nd ridgeline over. This section was I'd say moderately overgrown, but nothing terrible. Quite a bit of shale on the ground which can make for a bit of uneven surface but basically farily clean and easily passible. About a mile down is a completely overgrown side trail leading off to the spring. We could see the Picnic table as we descended. About a mile and a half down we crossed a shale silted ravine and began the "40 Mile Wall."

The wall is amazing. The fire has cleared out all the brush so you really get a feeling for elevation and it makes for a terrific view the entire way. You traverse down the ridgeline for about 3 miles. As you get further down the ravine below you gets progressively deeper and the view more magnificent, and is maybe 800 feet below down a steep but not shear ledge at the very bottom. This section is what needs the work. There are washouts and its pretty overgrown.

The big wash outs are on very loose and shalely rock. But easily passible I'd guess to the mildly intrepid. Fortunately the wash outs are towards the top where the distance to the bottom of the ravine is not that far, also the slope is not that steep and the shale would slow and cusion your descent if you were so unluck as to fall or have the ground under foot give out from under you. So my feeling was that even if you fell in the worst place, or the shale gave way which it could you'd be more bummed out then injured. I'd guess your shirt and shoes would be full of the loose shale, and you'd have to climb back up but that would be the worst of it. The shale while adding danger would simultaniously cusion your fall and slow you down so you would not go far. Maybe like sliding down a steep sand dune.

Besides the wash outs the trail is completely overgrown by grasses and annual flowers, and I really mean completely. From about mid calf at the lowest to waist high in places. So this makes for difficult footing, and because the trail surface is obscured it makes you over compensate towards the upward slope. What someone needs to do is walk the trail with two weed wackers, one on either side and a raker and clear it out. The fire has completely blasted this hillside and while there are lots of grasses and flowers no chaparel or shrubery to talk of. This means you really get the sense you are walking along the edge of a cliff and can look all the way to the bottom of the ravine way below you with unobscured vision. But also like I said earlier the slope is not sheer and even if you tripped in most places you would not fall far. Its not really a cliff just a steep steep slope mostly. And the wash outs are way above the steepest areas so its all good. All the grasses while they may be a PIA are all in bloom and are a wall of color. We saw spectacular blooms of poppies. And meteor showers of shooting stars.

When you hang the corner and start up the Santa Cruz drainage you're looking out towards this emense hillside on the other side of the canyon. The entire hill or mt. is fire blasted and devoid of shrubbery its covered in green grasses in places and the rock formations are very visible and sort of outlined by the grasses. This is the sort of view that can make you dizzy, and actually gave me a bit of vertigo. The Eastern side of the canyon did not burn and the trail quickly descends 800 feet or so under oak canopy into Santa Cruz station. In this section the trail is in great shape and reminds me of the way the whole trail was when I last came thru here in Jr. High.

We found Santa Cruz creek to have a heavy flow of muddy water. And as we both use Steri Pens we were looking for other water sources on our way down. As a completley novice river runner I'd guess you could kayak down to Cachuma lake right now. Maybe do a creek survey and you could get a ride on the road. But by the time the roads are passible the water flow won't be adequet so there you have it. But clean water was flowing down the side creek at the foot of the camp. Lots and lots of oak cut and waiting for a fire. We did not have to gather squat, it was all ready to go and cut up in nice sized pieces when we got there. Shared the campground with another group of 3 younger men.

The way out was uneventful, but harder then I remember. The last time the trail was clean, this time it was all overgrown. Poppy got a little hot so I also carried her on top of my pack adding another 20 pounds or so for a mile or 2. Carrying Poppy and pushing thru the grass made the way back as difficult as the asscent from Upper Oso to the Alexander Saddle but for different reasons. The front part is steep so its a slog carying a heavy pack. The back part is a slog because you're pushing thru the grasses the whole way and the footing is uneven. Still there were compensating balances. The view was incredible and also there were the wild flowers. Poppy my pug dog actually had the slope give way under her on the most spectacular of the wash outs. I took off my pack and crawled down 6 feet below the trail and laying on my stomach managed to reach out and grab her and lift her out of the wash out ravine. I alwyas joke on the Wed night hike that no tripping is allowed unless the fall down is going to be amazing, Poppy sure complied.

We found water in several areas between 19 Oaks and Santa Cruz Station. Just before the meadow on the front side is the stock water. I refilled here both ways. About a mile down is a swampy area with water that Poppy appreciated. I wet her down and she drank her fill. So you're never more then about 3 miles from water.

This was a great trip and I'd highly recommend the location. I might even plan a little trail maint project for the parts that need it.

Happy trails,

Bernard

Posted: May 23, 2008, 7:17 pm
by: mdilligan

I hiked from Upper Oso to Santa Cruz 5/16 to 5/18. Even without the ridiculous heat wave it would have been a long hot hike.

The spring at 19 Oaks is barely flowing and I didn't see any water before Santa Cruz (though I didn't check Happy Hollow). The trail to Santa Cruz is OK until the Happy Hollow turnoff though there are faint spots. After Happy Hollow it gets very dubious, there are some very unstable portions and the ground is very loose. It is passable but treacherous (especially on the final long traverse where the canyon is very steep and there is nothing to stop you if you slip), and passage is causing lots of erosion in some spots where the trail is breaking down.

Santa Cruz has lots of downed trees and the river was low, barely deep enough to swim in and with a lot of algae (maybe due to the heat?). The campsites are clear and there is a lot of firewood cut by the ranger (though fires are currently prohibited). I experienced very fierce mosquitos.

A lot of this burned in the Zaca fire, though there is a fair amount of smaller growth since then. I saw lots of toads, snakes (no rattlers), and lizards, as well as some deer. I also saw what looked like fresh bear and large cat tracks on the trail though I didn't encounter any.

---

Posted: April 15, 2008, 8:56 pm
by: Spudnic

The Santa Cruz trail coming down from little pine back to 19 Oaks wasn't in the best shape, but it is still passable. Little Pine is now all burn't down but my trip in general was very rewarding and enjoyable.

Posted: January 15, 2008, 12:56 am
by: Bryan

This report is from September, sorry I lagged.

A group of Forest Service volunteers drove into Happy Hollow and hiked down to Santa Cruz and up to Flores Flat. The trail down to Santa Cruz was severely washed out in sections, and this was before we received any rain. Its very likely that this trail will be closed for some time in the future. The fire eliminated all the vegetation that would normally hold this trail in one piece.

The trail over to Flores was similarly sliding away along most of the steep sections. Its quite possible that all steep sections of trails within the butn zone are going to be gone come Spring.

Pay attention to trail closures.

Posted: October 22, 2007, 3:51 am
by: BSA Troop 42

Backpacked to 19 Oaks on 20 / 21 October 2007. Santa Cruz Trail is signed closed 2.5 miles past 19 Oaks; Fire Closure Area. Bring the water that you need. Check on backpack stove use restriction. High winds and Zaca Fire ash, but it is good to get back into our mountains.

Posted: May 13, 2007, 5:03 pm
by: Spudnic

First overnighter w/dog(his 1st also) was awesome. Boring because I was by my self. Myles was a champ the whole trip. The section through the Mustard weed was ridiculous, hard to keep on the trail. Slipped a couple of times, just really ticked me off. The ticks were pretty bad but I sprayed myself(pant legs) and the dog down w/ some flea and tick spray before we left. Myles carried his own gear in his pack(water, food, treats) just need to get him his own mat. Had plenty of water just crappy equipment. Cheap 2-person bivy tent, Coleman mummy bag that didn't fit, 3 day military style pack. (shoulders said,"ouch".) Other than that it was another great adventure. We hiked to happy hollow campground and stayed the night, But after assessing the dog I'm confident he could make it to Santa Cruz campground. Oh well next time.

Posted: January 1, 2007, 11:47 pm
by: BSA Troop 42

1 January 2007. Water in Oso Creek is intermittent. The trail east from Nineteen Oaks to the Old Mine Road is easy to follow; as is the Old Mine Road from the mine to Buckhorn Road. Long Pants. Water in the creek near the mine did not look the best.

Posted: December 19, 2006, 12:15 pm
by: gogirlzz

Dawn was sunny and beautiful, but cold.We wore ALL our down stuff.It had warmed up some by the time we reached the trail head (28 from 17 degrees). Trail was in good shape, wet but not clumpy. Scat everywhere, the fauna must be eating well.Frost on the picnic table and ground under 7 of the 19 oaks. We made a fire. Really, the fattest bush wrens I've ever seen came out to visit. No wind and stunningly quiet; we got some super pictures. When the wind did finally kick up, the chill chased us off the mountain. I still think this is the most beautiful time of year to be up here.

Posted: October 15, 2006, 10:01 pm
by: Bryan

10/15/06

Spent last night on Little Pine, trail is great as always. A trail crew cleared the slide sections last week. Busy day on the trail.

Posted: May 31, 2006, 10:19 am
by: Liz

Went to the top of Little Pine on Memorial Day weekend. Absolutely beautiful.
Lots of ticks at the higher elevations.
Some retaining walls weren't retaining.
Patches of the path at the upper meadow require a bit of stomping through overgrown mustard and grasses.
But the trail was always easy to follow.

Posted: January 25, 2006, 8:15 pm
by: Anonymous

A group of 14 riders went last Sunday, January 22nd and the trail was great. We experienced a few muddy patches, but otherwise it was perfect.

Here's a
story and pictures from the ride, including aerial photography with a GPS plot of our path.

Posted: January 17, 2006, 9:57 pm
by: Anonymous

Clear trail, smooth sailing, up to Little Pine! The trail from Alexander Saddle down to SC was worked and cleared in December (12/14/05). The C.R.E.W. were able to clear the trail from the saddle to a point about 3/4 of the way down the "40 miles of hell". From there the trail is very findable but you will have to push through a bush or 70. The switchbacks down to Santa Cruz are in fine shape. LOTS OF TICKS!

Posted: January 9, 2006, 11:30 am
by: Duane

I camped out at 19 Oaks Saturday Night. The trail is in excellent shape, since I had no troubles navigating it in the dark (although a headlamp helped).

I always get a little turned around on the spur trail heading up to the actual camp (especially at night), but this time the sound of the water gushing out of the piped spring was loud enough to guide me.

I almost chickened out and stayed down at Upper Oso, but the $15.00 gate fee and the ominous sight of all those dirt bikes spurred up my courage, and I made the night trek in about 40 minutes.

It was a deathly quiet moonlit night, thanks in part to all the moisture on the ground. Kinda hard for some tiny rodent to sound like a marauding bear while it crawls through the dry grass when the grass isn't, well, DRY!

Posted: January 8, 2006, 5:27 pm
by: Anonymous

i went from upper oso to nineteen oaks, the trail was in very good condition. Aside from a few obnoxious motorcycles on the bike trail before the actual trailhead, it was a great hike. A few rockslides, but the creek was easily crossed.
No ticks, bear attacks, or terrorist bombings.

Everything is very green right now, i reccomend the hike.

Posted: January 2, 2006, 4:22 am
by: BSA Troop 42

Hiked from Upper Oso to 19 Oaks on 1 January 2006; before most of the heavy rain. Creek trail was reasonable; dirt road and upper trail were in great shape.

Posted: May 23, 2005, 10:18 pm
by: Duane

Took a friend of mine backpacking to the 19 Oaks campsite, where we enjoyed a nice lovely walk up to Little Pine Mountain. We had hiked up there last year about this time and wanted to do the hike again before it got too warm out.

The campsite is in great shape, and the spring is literally overflowing -- there is a large U-shaped marsh surrounding the camp because the spring can only spew out so much water.

The flowers were in bloom, big time. Much more than last year. The hike up the face of Little Pine was also much steeper than I remembered it, although the walk through the "mellow meadows" section was well worth it.

If there is one word of warning I could offer, it is this:

Snakes.

No, make that SNAKES!! SNAAAAAAAAAKES!! LONG SLITHERING TOUNGES FLICKERING RATTLERS RATTLING MAKING YOU JUMP OUT OF YOUR SKIN AND REGRET EVERY STEP RAT-BASTARD SONOFABITCHING SNAAAAKES!!!!

Last year, it was bears, this year it was snakes. What'll it be next year? The return of the mexican Jaguar? Just wondering.

ps, Although this was my second time hiking up the mountain, I noticed for the first time last week that there is a spring fed horse trough half way up Little Pine's face. Look for the small sign. Just a note for all you fancy equestrians out there.

Posted: January 30, 2005, 12:01 am
by: Anonymous

The trail is good shape except for a few small slides which can be easily negotiated. BUT, Paradise Rd was still closed at the first river crossing right before Lower Oso (ranger told me they may open it next weekend). You have to wade the river (about 5 - 10 inches), walk up the road to Upper Oso and then join the trail.

Posted: January 21, 2002, 9:44 am
by: Diane

Post your update here.