Alder Creek/Franklin Trail

Sometimes people ask if there is anywhere you can hike in Carpinteria. This hike almost counts. You will be hiking behind Carpinteria.

The hike begins at the old Juncal Campground on Juncal Road, which is what East Camino Cielo Road becomes some long distance past the end of the pavement. You hike through Juncal Camp toward Jameson Reservoir, then at the far end, turn up a steep canyon and follow the creek along what is officially the Franklin Trail.

You can follow the Franklin Trail all the way to the top of the mountains for a look over the other side at Carpinteria and the ocean. Theoretically, you can follow it back down to Foothill road in Carp, but in reality, you can't because of private property issues.

It's a lovely creek and well worth the long walk along the dirt road to get there. The total mileage for the described hike is 10 miles. It's mostly level with some steeper uphill when you finally reach the real trail in the creek.

You will need an Adventure Pass to park.

Alder Creek Trail Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: October 19, 2011, 4:27 pm
by: Jules

Did this trail on October 16, 2011 as a day hike. We went down East Camino Cielo till you reach a gate at the bottom. The trail is pretty easy to follow and takes you by the reservoir at Jameson Lake.

The sluice is pretty cool to see. Part of it is being rebuilt and you can walk along the boards of wood placed atop of the sluice. When you get to the end of the sluice, head a little to the left and forward (you'll cross the stream and little waterfall). From there you continue back. We went to the Alder campground, which barely looks like a campground at all. There was a makeshift firepit with slight clearing to put a tent. All in all, a very enjoyable hike with a well-maintained trail. The drive down Camino Cielo to the head of it is the hardest part. If you don't have a pickup truck or some offroad tires, it's going to be very difficult to drive to the trailhead.

Posted: June 6, 2011, 1:17 pm
by: Cross Tie Walker

Hiked/biked from the Divide Peak TH down to Juncal and out to Alder Creek this past weekend (Sunday, 6/5/2011) in the rain. Though the road from the TH to the Juncal junction is closed due to damage further toward Pendola, this stretch of road was in good shape. The road from Juncal to Jameson also in great shape; portions are a bit weedy from the dam turnoff to Alder Creek, but other portions have clearly been mowed/weedwhacked in recent months. All in all smooth sailing. Somebody's been working up on the sluice; tools and come-alongs and timber and new planks all around.



The Alder Creek trail, however, isn't getting any attention. Lots of treefall, extremely overgrown (mostly with thick poison oak). Ugh. We didn't progress very far from there.



En route back to Divide Peak TH, the rain took a nasty turn and so we made a makeshift shelter from some old corrugated tin at Juncal and hunkered down for some lunch to wait the storm out. It never relented, so after a calorie load we just got back to it and slogged up those last miles. Messy, wet, and very windy, but still a great exploratory.

Some photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/umotamba/sets/72157626776334773/

CTW

Posted: August 15, 2010, 4:40 pm
by: surfertedd

Hiked up Franklin trail from "behind"; that is, from the Jameson lake side. I have heard rumors (now quite old) that they are working on the trail from the Carpenteria side. From the exit of the service road next to Jameson Lake all the way to the source of the aqueduct trail is quite clear and free. At that point the trail all but disappears into the creek and big bushes of poison oak. If you get around this, however, you find more evidence of the trail further up the creek, and if you follow it further the trail ascends into a series of switchbacks. For a long while the trail looks remarkably clear and legit, though could use some clearing of poison oak. Eventually you reach what looks like a campsite with a fire pit. Now the trail goes headlong into a thicket of poison oak---managed to get through it with extreme care and hope I didn't make mistakes. After you get through this thicket the trail is not looking as good, have to fight your way through overgrowth and its tricky to avoid the poison oak. However the existence of the trail is clear all the way up to the electricity pylon. From here the trail is not so easy to see but if you follow your nose you'll find your way to the top. A very nice and special view of Carpenteria and the ocean from there. I was not able to see any evidence of a trail in the vicinity which would go downhill on the Carpenteria side.

Posted: December 9, 2006, 10:25 pm
by: Chris Chirgwin

On December 8th, we hiked from Juncal to Jamison then up Alder Creek Trail to the top. Alder Creek Trail is in good condition with flowing water for most of the first mile. Lots of poison oak along the creek, and some ticks.

Posted: July 27, 2005, 3:27 pm
by: Anonymous

continuation of last msg.......the LAST 2 miles are killer

Posted: July 27, 2005, 3:26 pm
by: Anonymous

Alder creek trail was great....the 2miles are killer. Real steep going into Alder camp. The hike from campsite to top of mountain for ocean view was fabulous! Hike is long and exposed to sun most of the way. Poison oak every where at camp and along trail(not abandoned road)Thanks to those who worked on trail.

Posted: May 16, 2005, 9:43 am
by: Anonymous

Hiked the trail up to Ocean View on Friday. Thank's to all the people who worked on it recently. Trail was in wonderful condition. Followed Ocean View to Camino, then back down to my car at Juncal. Figured about 18 miles.

Posted: March 23, 2005, 8:28 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.