Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Abel Canyon Camp South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
- Topo Map Link: Hurricane Deck
- Elevation: 1726 feet
- Wilderness Area: San Rafael
- County: Santa Barbara County
- Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.8625050762588
- Latitude: 34.82260277702968
- Water Sources: Sisquoc River
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 10-13-2024 | Paul Muhl | Trickle |
| 06-16-2024 | Paul Muhl | Flowing |
| 04-23-2023 | Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School | Flowing |
| 02-04-2022 | Stephen S | Flowing |
| 03-19-2021 | Jeremy K | Flowing |
| 01-17-2021 | Greg | Stagnant |
| 12-31-2020 | Shaddus Maximus | Trickle |
| 12-11-2020 | Steve Cypher | Trickle |
| 05-16-2020 | Addison Jerlow | Flowing |
| 01-01-2020 | Shaddus Maximus | Flowing |
| 11-25-2019 | Paul Cronshaw | Flowing |
| 06-09-2019 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 04-01-2019 | M Schless | Flowing |
| 11-19-2018 | Arlen Van Draanen | Flowing |
| 05-16-2018 | IGTOFT | Flowing |
| 04-22-2018 | Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School | Flowing |
| 03-26-2018 | Andrew Toborowski | Flowing |
| 01-13-2018 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 10-04-2017 | Anonymous Surveyor | Flowing |
| 04-01-2016 | Katie Mendenhall | Flowing |
| 05-07-2015 | James Wapotich | Flowing |
| 02-15-2014 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
Description:
Abel Canyon Camp is located on the Sisquoc Trail (30W1) in the San Rafael Wilderness. Abel is one of the more remote and seldom visited camps. It's located under a thicket of oak trees just above a perennial seep along the Sisquoc River. The camp can be quite dark and dank due to the oak trees, thick blanket of oak leaves and position within the canyon. Abel Canyon is located just a few hundred yards downstream from Abel Camp. There are also some old Abel family homestead ruins near camp and an old decrepit wooden table in camp.
Abel canyon was the homestead of the Abel family. Henry Abel was born in Germany in 1854. He moved first to San Luis Obispo then to Santa Maria and opened a saddlery shop. He died at the age of 78 years. His son, Henry John Abel was. the Game and Fish Commissioner: for Santa Barbara County for many years. Henry Abel died in 1925. At one time there were two stoves, a throne, a couple of old iron spring beds and the remains of a stove chimney remaining at the camp.
Recent Uploads:
Photo By: Paul Cronshaw - Website Link
Survey Photos:
Los Padres Forest Association - 02-15-2014
Katie Mendenhall - 04-01-2016
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-13-2018
Los Padres Forest Association - 01-13-2018
Andrew Toborowski - 03-26-2018
Andrew Toborowski - 03-26-2018
Andrew Toborowski - 03-26-2018
Andrew Toborowski - 03-26-2018
Andrew Toborowski - 03-26-2018
Andrew Toborowski - 03-26-2018
Los Padres Forest Association - 06-09-2019
Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
Creek crossing at Abel Canyon.
Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
Sisquoc River at Abel Camp
Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
Abel Campsite Table
Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
Abel Campsite
Addison Jerlow - 05-16-2020
main camp
Paul Muhl - 06-16-2024
Submitted Camp Reports
Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 10-13-2024 - by Paul MuhlLink: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 10-13-2024 Surveyor Name: Paul Muhl Camp Description: I have still not stayed here yet - just passed through - but it looks nice and shady for the warmer months and would be good for a smaller party. Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Good enough to get drinking water at any nearby crossing Weather Conditions: Sunny and warm - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 06-16-2024 - by Paul Muhl
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 06-16-2024 Surveyor Name: Paul Muhl Camp Description: I've not spent the night here but passed through several times. It appears to be a nice, shaded spot and could well be a great mid-day hideout during the hot summer months, but seems a bit small and with the trail running right through the middle. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: calf deep water Weather Conditions: Hot, sunny, dry Images: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 04-23-2023 - by Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 04-23-2023 Surveyor Name: Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School Camp Description: Just fine, another solid Sisquoc camp. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 02-04-2022 - by Stephen S
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 02-04-2022 Surveyor Name: Stephen S Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 03-19-2021 - by Jeremy K
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 03-19-2021 Surveyor Name: Jeremy K Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Good Water Flow Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 01-17-2021 - by Greg
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 01-17-2021 Surveyor Name: Greg Camp Description: Water Source: Stagnant Water Source Details: Stagant pools by the camp. There is a small creek flowing on the west side of the camp. You cannot miss it, it's on the trail Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 12-31-2020 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 12-31-2020 Surveyor Name: Shaddus Maximus Camp Description: Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Big, clear pools of water in the riverbed at Abel; not much of flow. Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 12-11-2020 - by Steve Cypher
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 12-11-2020 Surveyor Name: Steve Cypher Camp Description: Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: A little flow near camp. Better flow a half mile downstream. Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 05-16-2020 - by Addison Jerlow
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 05-16-2020 Surveyor Name: Addison Jerlow Camp Description: quite nice right now. not looking too dark or dank Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Abel Canyon Creek flowing Weather Conditions: Images:
main camp - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 01-01-2020 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 01-01-2020 Surveyor Name: Shaddus Maximus Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 11-25-2019 - by Paul Cronshaw
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 11-25-2019 Surveyor Name: Paul Cronshaw Camp Description: Despite loosing its legs, the old table is still present and functional. There is a shovel.  The creek crossing at Abel Canyon has good flowing water for refilling your bottle. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Clean, flowing water with shallow pools Weather Conditions: 70s and Sunny Images:
Creek crossing at Abel Canyon.
Sisquoc River at Abel Camp
Abel Campsite Table
Abel Campsite - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 06-09-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 06-09-2019 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: LPFA Working Vacation stopped work at Abel Camp, coming from downstream. Abel remains shady and cool. The trail is a bit hard to follow upstream from Abel and up to Cliff. People miss this section of trail more than anywhere else on the Lower Sisquoc. Pay attention and study maps, otherwise you may miss Cliff altogether.Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Great water and swimming holes around Abel Camp Weather Conditions: Images: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 04-01-2019 - by M Schless
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 04-01-2019 Surveyor Name: M Schless Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Sisqoc flowing steady Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 11-19-2018 - by Arlen Van Draanen
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 11-19-2018 Surveyor Name: Arlen Van Draanen Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Low flow Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 05-16-2018 - by IGTOFT
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 05-16-2018 Surveyor Name: IGTOFT Camp Description: Marginal camp, no table. Beautiful location. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: 70s/40s - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 04-22-2018 - by Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 04-22-2018 Surveyor Name: Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School Camp Description: Seems to be a less frequented camp. Nice and shady. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Water accessible and flowing moderately. Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 03-26-2018 - by Andrew Toborowski
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 03-26-2018 Surveyor Name: Andrew Toborowski Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: No lack of water! Weather Conditions: Sunny. 70F Day / 48F Night Images: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 01-13-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 01-13-2018 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Abel is still there. Table continues its slow but steady demise. All the usual Abel'centricies are still there: old toilet, tons of sycamore leafs, pieces of concrete, sign, downed oaks, poison oak. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Water flowing nicely. Weather Conditions: Images: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 10-04-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 10-04-2017 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: Pretty good campsite. Broken picnic table can still be used while hikers are seated on the ground. Decent grass for horses after a rare September rain. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Low flow near camp. Wet downstream for about a mile. Abel Canyon Creek had a trickle as well. Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 04-01-2016 - by Katie Mendenhall
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 04-01-2016 Surveyor Name: Katie Mendenhall Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Sisquoc River had lots of water Weather Conditions: Images: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 05-07-2015 - by James Wapotich
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 05-07-2015 Surveyor Name: James Wapotich Camp Description: camp features a grated stove in a fire ring and broken down picnic table Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Good water at Abel Camp Weather Conditions: - Abel Canyon Camp Survey - 02-15-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Abel Canyon Camp Date: 02-15-2014 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: There is a large downed oak just upstream from camp. Â It has been there for a few years. Â More than one VWR sawyer has this tree on their hit list. Â It's just hard to get out there. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Water was flowing in the creek but was pretty stanky Weather Conditions: Dry and hot for February Images:
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Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
