Soda Springs Trail

Our desire today was simple...seek out a nice, short day hike with a some grade and fantastic views. We had heard about this trail, located about 23 miles north of Cambria, but had only passed it on our many drives up the coast toward Big Sur.

Located in the Silver Peak Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest, the Soda Springs Trail begins along Soda Springs Creek at a rock gorge filled with seasonal pools and a waterfall. You head up a well marked path through a lush riparian vegetation of ferns, alders and California bay laurel. The trail starts off as an easy climb up the shaded forested slope to the ridge directly over Hwy 1 and the Pacific

Multiple overlooks greet you with sweeping 180 degree ocean views that are spectacular. At the posted 1/2 mile junction with the Buckeye Trail, we chose the left fork which climbs 2,000 feet in 3 miles to Buckeye Camp. This is the point where easy converts to steep and moderate. On our hike, the trail conditions were passable, but was definitely due for some good trail TLC. For many, long pants are a necessity here. Although lined with many wild flowers, the trail is overgrown with poison oak and coyote brush and your footing can be compromised from the loose dirt and rock. Some parts of the trail were completely eroded and careful maneuvering was required for safe passage pass some significant drops...so backpackers be wary. This is probably a wonderful hike in the springtime with the running creeks and small waterfalls. We opted to call it an afternoon after a couple of miles and 1,100 feet of climbing....headed home for a cold beer and a nice grill.