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Lion Den Loop hike notes: 
Lion Den Loop
Salmon Creek Trail, South Coast Ridge Road (dirt), Cruikshank Trail, Buckeye Trail

Round Trip: 16 miles, 4800 ft.gain
Map+Photos 
Route metrics & trail conditions  
Printable map 

Overview
Attractions include hike by stream with waterfalls, with side trip to Salmon Creek Falls and/or Upper Salmon Creek Falls, views of coast and inland.  Upper Cruikshank Trail includes cinnamon-color serpentine rock outcrops and goes through Lion Den Spring Botanical Area with endemic Santa Lucia fir and a grove of serpentine-endemic Sargent cypress(be sure to notice them!)

Camps
Suggested camp is Lion Den Camp with wonderful view.  For 3 day hike suggest adding side trip to Villa Creek Camp to camp alongside a stream (adds 0.6 miles).  For water information check individual camp descriptions on interactive map.

Access
72 hour parking allowed along CA Route 1 near trailhead. 

Notes
• Can add out-and_return hike to Silver Peak on (brushy) Silver Peak Usetrail. 
• Section between Estrella Camp and South Coast Ridge Road can get brushy/obscure. 
• Very few vehicles reach this section of South Coast Ridge Road.

External Links - Hike Reports & Videos
(none yet - suggestions welcomed)

Related Links
Local Trail Conditions Map" TARGET="_blank">Big Sur Trail Conditions Map
Big Sur hiking information