Welcome To Hike Los Padres!
User Log In or Sign Up
Use Marker Cluster
Markers: Use Marker Groups
Time used: ms
Routes
    Trails
    OHV Trails
    Forest Roads
    Streams
Wildfire Layers
    Wolf 2002
    Piru 2003
    Day 2006
    Zaca 2007
    Gap 2008
    La Brea 2009
Forest Layers
    Forest Boundary
    Wilderness Areas
    Ranger Districts
    Counties
    Topographic Outlines
    Trailheads
    OHV Trailheads
Helpful Hints
    ↣ Right click the map for location data. ↣ Click a stream for Water Stats.

Little Pine Spring Camp South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: San Marcos Pass
  • Elevation: 3300 feet
  • Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
  • County: Santa Barbara County
  • Ranger District: Santa Barbara Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.7527360916137
  • Latitude: 34.608507097786266
  • Water Sources: Little Pine Spring
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
07-29-2022James WapotichFlowing
04-22-2022James WapotichFlowing
11-24-2021Diane "Piper" SoiniFlowing
10-31-2021Nick Flowing
05-28-2021James WapotichFlowing
04-22-2021Surly OneTrickle
01-16-2021Los Padres Forest AssociationTrickle
12-26-2020James WapotichTrickle
11-11-2020Nate BatesFlowing
04-28-2019Shaddus Maximus Trickle
04-23-2017James WapotichFlowing
05-28-2016JamesFlowing
04-23-2016John DeaconTrickle
02-20-2016Mark BrownTrickle
11-21-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
11-07-2015AliceTrickle
05-09-2015Jeff B.Flowing
04-01-2015Shaddus Maximus Trickle
02-27-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
02-06-2015Curt CraggTrickle
01-10-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
12-07-2014Heather RoseFlowing
02-22-2014Torrey BeckstrandFlowing

Description:

Located just off the Santa Cruz Trail, take the Little Pine Spring Trail down canyon to the small primative Little Pine Spring Camp. Great water can usually be found here.

Recent Uploads:

Survey Photos:


  • Curt Cragg - 02-06-2015
    Spring box at Little Pine Spring camp

  • Curt Cragg - 02-06-2015
    Little Pine Spring Camp

  • Curt Cragg - 02-06-2015
    Trail to Little Pine Spring

  • Curt Cragg - 02-06-2015
    Fallen oak tree on trail to camp

  • Curt Cragg - 02-06-2015
    Sign at junction from Santa Cruz Trail

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2015
    Turn down at the sign and follow the brushline down, looking for flags

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2015
    This downed oak is blocking the trail, not for long.......

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2015
    Little Pine Spring Camp, room for a few friends

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2015
    The spring flows into the trough at the top of camp

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2015
    Water is nice and cool in February 2015

  • Shaddus Maximus - 04-01-2015
    Tub/basin at Little Pine Spring camp.

  • Alice - 11-07-2015
    sign indicating the trail turn off

  • Alice - 11-07-2015
    first sign of water

  • Alice - 11-07-2015
    tub looks good!

  • Alice - 11-07-2015
    having lunch

  • John Deacon - 04-23-2016

  • James Wapotich - 04-23-2017

  • Nick - 10-31-2021

Submitted Camp Reports

Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 07-29-2022 - by James Wapotich
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 07-29-2022
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:Good, steady trickle
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 04-22-2022 - by James Wapotich
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 04-22-2022
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:average flow from the spring, camp is in good shape
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 11-24-2021 - by Diane "Piper" Soini
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 11-24-2021
Surveyor Name:Diane "Piper" Soini
Camp Description:Water was clear and clean and filled the tub to the brim, spilling over. Campsite was lovely. It can be tricky to find it, but there is some pink tape here and there to help you.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Beautiful water
Weather Conditions:Clear, warm day, cool night.
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 10-31-2021 - by Nick
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 10-31-2021
Surveyor Name:Nick
Camp Description:Beautiful trail camp along the Santa Cruz trail. Someone has marked with pink tape the trail from Santa Cruz to the camp(less than a mile). 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Tub full and flowing over
Weather Conditions:Great weather, cold at night
Images:

Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 05-28-2021 - by James Wapotich
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 05-28-2021
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:Decent flow coming from the spring
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 04-22-2021 - by Surly One
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 04-22-2021
Surveyor Name:Surly One
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Trough is full, water still coming in slowly
Weather Conditions:70ish, blue skies
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 01-16-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 01-16-2021
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Camp was clean and in good shape.  The table could use a new board for the seat, did not take measurements.  The trail down to camp remains a bit confusing and should be fixed later in 2021 by the LPFA.

The trough was full but there was just a drip of water dropping into it.  Two of the pipes burned and are not making it to the trough and the main pipe was just a drop, as mentioned.  We attempted to locate the source of the pipe with the intent of cleaning out the spring box.  Unfortunately after almost an hour of digging and sourcing, we were not able to find the spring location.  Need to come back with real tools (rock bar, pick, shovel) but it would be a good project to get the spring flowing again.  

Lots of poison oak up near the spring source.....
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Water was flowing less than normal.
Weather Conditions:Warm, with a light breeze...
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 12-26-2020 - by James Wapotich
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 12-26-2020
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:Good steady trickle
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 11-11-2020 - by Nate Bates
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 11-11-2020
Surveyor Name:Nate Bates
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 04-28-2019 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 04-28-2019
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Best to filter water out of the trough at the moment as it isn't very clear and the inflow/outflow is minimal.
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 04-23-2017 - by James Wapotich
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 04-23-2017
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:Spring faithfully flow, camp not burned in the Rey Fire. Watched a bear cruise by in the morning on the trail above camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 05-28-2016 - by James
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 05-28-2016
Surveyor Name:James
Camp Description:There was a fallen tree or two on the way into camp.  Table is still missing a bench.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Trough was full, spring was flowing.
Weather Conditions:70s & sunny.
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 04-23-2016 - by John Deacon
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 04-23-2016
Surveyor Name:John Deacon
Camp Description:It is a bit hard to descend from the Santa Cruz Trail to the camp, but if you need water, it is there.
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Slow drips into the basin. Looks clean
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 02-20-2016 - by Mark Brown
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 02-20-2016
Surveyor Name:Mark Brown
Camp Description:The trail is very exposed past the 19 Oaks trail sign and the sun becomes very overbearing. It's a relatively strenuous hike to the peak with a lot of elevation gain and the heat definitely adds to that. Water wasn't an issue because of the small trickle at Little Pine Springs where we spent the night, but it had rained on Wednesday and Thursday, so I wouldn't count on the flow to last too long. Pack plenty of extra water just to be safe. The campsite is nice, offering a table and a fire pit, however one of the table's benches is missing (i mention that in case a ranger or someone else sees this and decides to repair it). Took about 4 hours to get out to Little Pine Springs and about 2 and a half to get back, just add or subtract an hour depending on your ability level and you have a fairly good idea of what to expect. Overall it was a fantastic two-day trip. 
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Trough is full with a slow but steady drip of water
Weather Conditions:Hot with little cover from the sun
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 11-21-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 11-21-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Water at Little Pine Spring Camp.  The trail down to the camp from the Santa Cruz Trail remains hard to follow - could use some work.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 11-07-2015 - by Alice
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 11-07-2015
Surveyor Name:Alice
Camp Description:trail leading down to the camp is a little steep. Someone put up blue flags/markers along the trail which really helped! We followed a side trail leading away from camp which led to the "restroom." Lots of buried toilet paper here. Please pack it out!
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:full tub, spring is trickling.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

sign indicating the trail turn off

first sign of water


tub looks good!

having lunch
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 05-09-2015 - by Jeff B.
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 05-09-2015
Surveyor Name:Jeff B.
Camp Description:Camp is in good shape, with great water; hauled a surprising amount of trash out: let's all please remember to pack everything out.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Excellent water flowing into the trough: very clean and cold.
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 04-01-2015 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 04-01-2015
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Good water in spring. Tub was full when I visited.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Tub/basin at Little Pine Spring camp.
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 02-27-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 02-27-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Little Pine Spring Camp is somewhat hidden off the Santa Cruz Trail on the northside of Alexander Saddle.  Many hikers miss the turnoff to the camp.  Look for the Little Pine Spring sign and head downhill to the brush line.  From there the trail is about a quarter mile down the brush line.  Look for old cuts, faint tread and some flags.  We placed a fresh layer of flagging down to the camp and did a few cuts.

The LPFA has a project planned for March 2015 to cut out the large fallen tree and blast out the trail down to the camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Mostly sunny, temps in the low 70's, pretty ideal
Images:

Turn down at the sign and follow the brushline down, looking for flags

This downed oak is blocking the trail, not for long.......


Little Pine Spring Camp, room for a few friends

The spring flows into the trough at the top of camp


Water is nice and cool in February 2015
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 02-06-2015 - by Curt Cragg
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 02-06-2015
Surveyor Name:Curt Cragg
Camp Description:The Little Pine Spring camp is in very good condition located in a shaded oak grove it features a picnic table, fire ring and collection basin for the spring water.  The trail to Little Pine Spring from the Santa Cruz Trail junction is not in such great shape.  The "trail" is actually a work around from the original trail that meandered through the trees below where the new route has been created.   The tread is off sloping and steep in many areas, brush is encroaching over the tread and there is a large oak tree that has fallen across the trail.  Hikers have found their way around the oak but it requires a bit of a steep climb.  The sign at the junction can also be hard to see due to brush that has grown around it and the location of the sign.

Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Water is flowing from the spring pipe into the holding basin.
Weather Conditions:Clear, 70 degrees
Images:

Spring box at Little Pine Spring camp

Little Pine Spring Camp


Trail to Little Pine Spring

Fallen oak tree on trail to camp


Sign at junction from Santa Cruz Trail
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 01-10-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 01-10-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:There is a large downed oak along the trail from Santa Cruz Trail down to Little Pine Spring Camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 12-07-2014 - by Heather Rose
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 12-07-2014
Surveyor Name:Heather Rose
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Low flow and trough filled with crystal clear water. After first big storm. Did not taste.
Weather Conditions:
Little Pine Spring Camp Survey - 02-22-2014 - by Torrey Beckstrand
Link: Little Pine Spring Camp
Date: 02-22-2014
Surveyor Name:Torrey Beckstrand
Camp Description:The trail leading to the camp needs some work on the tread through the meadow area. Past the meadow bushing is needed.The camp is clean. The spring is working. There is no grill at the camp. The table needs to have the boards replaced, but it is still working.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Spring is flowing and the trough is full
Weather Conditions:warm sunny day

Leave A Camp Report

Survey / Report Form


Last Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Join Our Mailing List
×
Get updates on conditions, surveys and more...

L.P.N.F. Contacts »

  • Forest Headquarters
    Phone: (805) 968-6640
  • Mt. Pinos District
    Phone: (661) 245-3731
  • Ojai Ranger District
    Phone: (805) 646-4348
  • Santa Barbara District
    Phone: (805) 967-3481
  • Santa Lucia District
    Phone: (805) 925-9538
  • Monterey District
    Phone: (831) 385-5434