Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Trail Camp
- Topo Map Link: Santa Paula Peak
- Elevation: 4600 feet
- Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
- County: Ventura County
- Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.0095119
- Latitude: 34.46122228
- Water Sources: There is seldom water at this camp.
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Trail Camp
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 05-29-2021 | C Goodyear | Dry |
| 09-21-2019 | Christopher P. Lord | Dry |
| 05-27-2016 | Rick and James | Trickle |
Description:
Bluff Camp gets its name from the very large, awe inspiring, red sandstone formations surrounding the site. The camp sits just outside the southern edge of the Sespe Wilderness boundary. While seldom visited, it does still get occasional upkeep from the more adventures backcountry enthusiasts. Traditionally, the camp could also be accessed from Timber Canyon along the Santa Paula Peak Trail. That route, however, has been long abandoned and is in private hands. Hikers must now resolve to a rock-hop up the washed out East Fork Santa Paula Creek after hiking up the Santa Paula Canyon Trail (21W11), passing though Cienega Camp and continuing the accent approximately another 1.5 miles before reaching Bluff.
Survey Photos:
Rick and James - 05-27-2016
facing west, going north. Where trai ended
Christopher P. Lord - 09-21-2019
What's left of the old sign
Christopher P. Lord - 09-21-2019
Camp overview
Christopher P. Lord - 09-21-2019
Christopher P. Lord - 09-21-2019
Christopher P. Lord - 09-21-2019
Christopher P. Lord - 09-21-2019
C Goodyear - 05-29-2021
C Goodyear - 05-29-2021
C Goodyear - 05-29-2021
C Goodyear - 05-29-2021
C Goodyear - 05-29-2021
Snow Plants (Sarcodes sanguinea)
Submitted Camp Reports
Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon Survey - 05-29-2021 - by C GoodyearLink: Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon Date: 05-29-2021 Surveyor Name: C Goodyear Camp Description: Easily the most sublime, serene campsite I've ever stayed at, but you REALLY gotta want it. The last 1.5 mi., 1100 ft. climb up from Cienega Camp (which is no walk-in-the-park to reach in the first place) is steep, loose, exposed, and overgrown to about chest height with thick, rough, pokey brush. Despite flags and cairns, it's really easy to loose the trail, even when you're mere feet away. (Christopher P. Lord's GPS map was a helpful backup for that section.) Oh, and the last flowing water is at Cienega, so you have to do all that while tanked up with your full supply for however long you plan to stay up top. Coming down is almost as difficult as going up; it's neither for the faint of heart nor the inexperienced. (Don't forget your bug spray, either; way more mosquitos than I expected for place with that little water.) Also, for the love of whatever's dear to you, PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT! Really disappointing to see more and more litter up East Fork SP Creek every time I pass through; I always assumed most of the trashy, ill-equipped trolls quit at the Punchbowls.Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Nearest water is at Cienega Camp Weather Conditions: Clear skies, high 70s (day) to low 50s / high 40s (night) Images:
Snow Plants (Sarcodes sanguinea)- Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon Survey - 09-21-2019 - by Christopher P. Lord
Link: Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon Date: 09-21-2019 Surveyor Name: Christopher P. Lord Camp Description: Visited Bluff Camp on Saturday. Rebuilt the fire ring, left a new camp shovel and $25 dollar REI gift card for the next lucky visitor. Stayed the night at Cienega as no water was found near Bluff. Lower half of the trail coming up from Cienega is badly overgrown, be diligent about trying to stick to the old tread and it will make the journey much easier. From around the halfway point or here N34° 27' 17.0" W119° 00' 47.5" the trail opens up and becomes much more followable the rest of the way into Camp. A couple large rocks and makeshift bench make for good seating. The site is well shaded and the real estate is prime. I do highly recommend you get out there. Camp Coordinates: N34° 27' 40.2" W119° 00' 34.4" For more detail please see the link below. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Mid 80's Images:
What's left of the old sign
Camp overview - Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon Survey - 05-27-2016 - by Rick and James
Link: Bluff Camp - East Fork Santa Paula Canyon Date: 05-27-2016 Surveyor Name: Rick and James Camp Description: Attempted to find the trail from Bluff to last chance. Did fine outta Bluff for about 45 min. Then the brush was too thick. After 3 hrs up and down, in and out of manzanita, beautiful groves though, I felt i found a good path. But the water, time wasted and the unknown  ( James had to be back Sun.), we retreated ti Cienega for the night and back down the next morn. Gonna try again in fall or spring. Lots of bears signs, but no sightings this trip. Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: after drawing a gal. out with pump. had to wait for pool to fill up to previous level Weather Conditions: nice, clear Images:
facing west, going north. Where trai ended
Leave A Camp Report
Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2023
