jl_soleil We just did this trip and I'm almost certain we were the ones who got the neighbors to call you! We came in at night and took the wrong turn onto private property. We immediately turned around upon realizing that, but we met some rather upset people. We have some updates on directions that we think could help others immensely:

No worries, and I am very glad you reached out on here to share what intel you gathered, that's exactly what I want this website to be a place to help other responsibly go on adventures!

Thanks again for the updates I think they will be super helpful to others! Feel free to start a new post if you want to share a detailed trip report of your adventure!

    5 months later

    Hey Mike,
    I am planning to check out this trail/campsite this weekend and was wondering about how you leave. Did you take the same trail that you took to get there?
    Thanks for any advice :) and for the video getting there, it is very helpful!
    -Jamie

      jamielab224 you take the same trail that you took to get there?

      Yes I drove down the exact way we came up. We actually left really early in the morning in the dark. It was beginning to rain pretty hard and I needed new tires on my jeep and didn't want to risk getting stuck lol

      I would call the local rangers to make sure everything is open if you are going this weekend. There have been a lot of closures due to COVID-19 recently.

          Yes, definitely not open. I called the ranger, she informed me there is a lot of illegal activity going on which will cause closures to be prolonged, unfortunately. Thank you! This saved my weekend haha

            jamielab224

            Glad we were able to save you the trouble of driving there and finding out its closed!

            It stinks that people keep breaking the rules and going illegally...

            Everyone needs to respect a place that beautiful!

              7 days later

              loneranger650 nice! Website says updated June 15th!

              I would still call the Rangers and double check before going, but that looks decent!

                6 days later

                First off Congratulations on your engagement. Epic spot for it! Any idea how many campsites there were with views of the ocean like that or was that the only one? Either way looks like a great drive!

                  Billy First off Congratulations on your engagement. Epic spot for it!

                  Thanks so much and welcome to Seek Adventure!

                  Billy Any idea how many campsites there were with views of the ocean like that or was that the only one?

                  While driving up I added some markers on my Caltopo map here as red dots as possible campsites. From that map, it looks like there are at least 3 that I marked down while driving up:

                  There were probably a couple more that I didn't mark so maybe a total of 3-5 on that ridge with ocean views like the one in my picture.

                      Hi Mike, thanks so much for all this info. I have an AWD vehicle and I'm new to finding dispersed sites to set up camp, can you provide an estimate of how many miles you had to drive from the turn-off off the 1 onto Willow Creek Rd all the way to where you started to see promising spots in your last photo (red dot sites)? Thank you!

                        momotr0n can you provide an estimate of how many miles you had to drive from the turn-off off the 1 onto Willow Creek Rd all the way to where you started to see promising spots in your last photo (red dot sites)?

                        The entire drive once you turn off highway 1 onto Willow Creek Road was about 7.6 miles to the end where I camped. The entire ridgeline is about 2-3 miles long.

                        You can see a map on Caltopo that I made just for this route here.

                          a month later

                          Hi Mike, two friends and I are planning a road trip-- we were planning on camping at Pewitt Ridge until I saw this post (thank you so much, by the way). It definitely seems a little less overcrowded! Would you say 4wd is necessary? I have a rear wheel drive Ford Ranger with decent clearance.

                            whayward Would you say 4wd is necessary? I have a rear wheel drive Ford Ranger with decent clearance.

                            I would say yes 4-wheel drive is required, but I am pretty cautious about this.

                            High clearance definitely helps out but won't solve all the issues. The couple we helped "rescue" on our trip didn't have high clearance, but that is not why they got stuck. They got stuck because they didn't have a lot of traction and their car was only 2-wheel drive.

                            It is pretty remote and you will probably not have cell service if you get stuck. The trail conditions change pretty rapidly and the last bit gets pretty steep a little before the place I camped at.

                            I would not say its less crowded than Prewitt Ridge though. They are both pretty popular.

                              6 months later
                              2 months later

                              jamielab224

                              Does anyone have an update on this closure?

                              The ranger website lists it as still being closed but it does not state why.
                              Is it closed due to physical damage from the storm or closed just due to concerns about the illegal activities up there?

                              Hoping it will reopen soon...

                                  TBarr I don't have any real updates on the closure. I know there was another road collapse on highway 1 in late January.

                                  For the most up to date information I would recommend calling the Monterey Ranger District phone number:

                                  Monterey Ranger District

                                  (831) 385-5434 X 0

                                  (phones answered Mon-Fri 8-430)

                                    5 days later

                                    TBarr I have been researching for a trip this May and just found out this closure is part of the Dolan Fire closure that is in place until at least May 21, 2021.

                                      4 months later

                                      Hi everyone! I noticed on the Monterey Ranger District website that Forest Road No. 23S01 (Los Burros/Willow Creek Road) is open now. I would assume that means the restrictions from the Dolan Fire Closure have been lifted?

                                      Thanks!