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About Campground
For open status, please use the USFS website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lpnf/alerts-notices/?aid=77373
The Santa Cruz Trailhead is Chaparral, shaded by oak trees. Trail follows Oso Creek. It is recommended that visitors do not drink the water found in Oso Creek.
The hike begins at Upper Oso Campground in the Oso Canyon. After going around a locked gate, follow a wide motor cycle road for under three quarters of a mile. The trail is fairly low angle and covered with soft dirt. Unless there are motor cycles on the road, this part of the trail is very pleasant. You are hiking parallel to Oso Creek and in the shade of oak trees. There are a number of side trails leading down to the creeks swimming holes.
At the end of the initial section, the trail to 19 Oaks Camp separates from the motor cycle road and becomes Santa Cruz Trail proper. There are signs pointing you to 19 Oaks and Little Pine Mountain. There is also a box for leaving a note. At this point, the trail drops downhill for a short distance before rising again following Oso Creek. At about one and a half mile point the trail crosses the creek and shortly after crosses it again bypassing a rocky section. Another quarter of a mile, you will reach the turn off point to 19 Oaks marked by a sign. Leave the main trail and hike up a steep section of a trail to a low angle hillside and 19 Oaks in about one quarter of a mile. There are many oak trees, a few benches, fire pits, campsites and a very rustic open-air toilet pit.
Water at the Upper Oso Campground
Restroom at the Upper Oso Campground
Directions
From Hwy 101, 10 miles NW on Hwy 154, 6.7 miles E. on Paradise Road and 1 mile north on the Upper Oso Road to the Santa Cruz trailhead at Upper Oso Campground.
Reservation Details
No reservations. First-come, first-served only.
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