Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Pelch Camp South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
- Topo Map Link: Big Pine Mountain
- Elevation: 3311 feet
- Wilderness Area: San Rafael
- County: Santa Barbara County
- Ranger District: Santa Barbara Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.7113667
- Latitude: 34.6790861
- Water Sources: There is water either in the main branch of the Grapevine or within the nearby side canyon that comes down from Murietta Spring. In extreme conditions, there is always water upstream along the Grapevine Creek.
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 02-05-2022 | Stephen S | Flowing |
| 10-16-2019 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 02-27-2019 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 04-24-2018 | Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School | Trickle |
| 04-22-2017 | James Wapotich | Flowing |
| 03-31-2015 | Shaddus Maximus | Trickle |
| 06-27-2014 | Los Padres Forest Association | Trickle |
Description:
Pelch Camp is located along the Grapevine Trail within the Southern San Rafael Wilderness. It’s tucked in amongst a thick blanket of oak trees at the junction of the Murietta Spring canyon and Grapevine Canyon. The camp can be a little dark in the wintertime but there is a nice open meadow that is great for stargazing. Pelch is most commonly accessed as part of a loop trip from Upper Oso along the way to Bluff Camp. While the Grapevine Trail does see some traffic, very few people stay at Pelch Camp.
At one point in time there was a road dropping from Bluff Camp towards Pelch but it is unknown if the road extended all the way to Pelch or not. Pelch is named after the Pelch/Pinkham families who used this camp as a hunting camp for an extended period of time in the early 20th century. There are some great photos of an old cabin at Pelch and the remains of some of their setup can still be found.
Currently there is a table located in the upper meadow and the remains of an elaborate stove down closer to the creek. There is also an old wooden food box that is unique to this area. There is only one place to camp but having neighbors should not be a problem. You should have the camp to yourself. Water is somewhat reliable but access to the water can be tricky. There is a lot of poison oak in the camp and if you plan on camping here it might be a good idea to bring some loppers to clear the access path to and from the water source. In addition, the spur trail that leads to camp is followable but can be overgrown as well.
Pelch was burned in the 2007 Zaca Fire but most of the oaks have rebounded and are thriving once again.
Survey Photos:
Shaddus Maximus - 03-31-2015
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2019
The new fake signs
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-27-2019
Pelch Camp
Submitted Camp Reports
Pelch Camp Survey - 02-05-2022 - by Stephen SLink: Pelch Camp Date: 02-05-2022 Surveyor Name: Stephen S Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Pelch Camp Survey - 10-16-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Pelch Camp Date: 10-16-2019 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Camp remains rustic and wild. LPFA volunteers did work the spur trail from Grapevine to the camp.  The table remains but one of the trail signs has disappeared.Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Water can be heard from the camp but does require some bushwhacking to get to the water Weather Conditions: - Pelch Camp Survey - 02-27-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Pelch Camp Date: 02-27-2019 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: The trail down to Pelch is a mess. The two new fake signs have been torn off the post, probably by mister or misses bear. Pelch has a table, large concrete fire thingy, metal storage box and an assortment of other human 50+ year old artifacts. Nice shade - you could stay here a long time before running into anyone else. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Water was flowing but the trail down to the water was too thick in bramble and PO to get down and check it out 1st hand Weather Conditions: Images:
The new fake signs
Pelch Camp - Pelch Camp Survey - 04-24-2018 - by Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School
Link: Pelch Camp Date: 04-24-2018 Surveyor Name: Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School Camp Description: Looks like an old pioneer or hunting cabin was here at some point...there is a huge stone bbq/fire place. A little bit off the beaten path. Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Relatively low flow 2-3" in small creek surrounded by poison oak. Weather Conditions: - Pelch Camp Survey - 04-22-2017 - by James Wapotich
Link: Pelch Camp Date: 04-22-2017 Surveyor Name: James Wapotich Camp Description: Good water flowing in Grapevine Creek Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Pelch Camp Survey - 03-31-2015 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Pelch Camp Date: 03-31-2015 Surveyor Name: Shaddus Maximus Camp Description: Spur trail down to Pelch from the Grapevine Trail is very overgrown but easy to find. Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Pelch is located at the confluence of Grapevine Creek and one its tributaries. Both had a slight flow of water when I was there. The flow is unlikely to last much longer, however. Weather Conditions: Images: - Pelch Camp Survey - 06-27-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Pelch Camp Date: 06-27-2014 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: We visited Pelch as part of an LPFA trail project. It was hard to tell the last time anyone camped there. The table remains in pretty good shape. We did clear out some of the brush around the stove and also did a little work on the spur trail down to the camp. It was nice and shady and there were no issues with bugs. Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Water was in the side canyon about 15 yards downstream from the camp. It was flowing but pretty light. Weather Conditions: Hot, sunny in the low 90's
Leave A Camp Report
Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Tuesday, December 22, 2015
