| Link: | Murietta Camp |
| Date: | 09-16-2026 |
| Surveyor Name: | Max Stern |
| Camp Description: | Murietta Trail and Murietta Camp have been cleared of overgrowth. A night and day difference from when I bushwhacked my way through it a couple months ago. This includes Murietta Camp, all three sites of which are now totally ready for use with plenty of space and fire infrastructure. The West Fork Matilija Creek was flowing slowly but steadily on the mid-September morning I visited. Unfortunately, the trail remains completely overgrown past the camp, meaning that it remains extremely difficult to follow this route to its long lost connection with Murietta Divide Road. |
| Water Source: | Flowing |
| Water Source Details: | Weak flow but stronger than a trickle |
| Weather Conditions: | Mostly sunny, ~70F late morning |
Submitted Camp and Trail Reports
Submitted Camp Reports
Murietta Camp Survey - 09-16-2026 - by Max Stern- Fish Creek Camp Survey - 09-15-2026 - by Dylan
Link: Fish Creek Camp Date: 09-15-2026 Surveyor Name: Dylan Camp Description: Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Water flowing closer to both Manzana and Lost Valley camps. Weather Conditions: - Lost Valley Camp Survey - 09-15-2026 - by Dylan
Link: Lost Valley Camp Date: 09-15-2026 Surveyor Name: Dylan Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Looks nearly stagnant at the shallow pool next to camp. Flowing within 100 feet both upstream and downstream. Weather Conditions: - Manzana Camp Survey - 09-13-2026 - by Dylan
Link: Manzana Camp Date: 09-13-2026 Surveyor Name: Dylan Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Plenty of water flowing. Weather Conditions: - Lost Valley Camp Survey - 09-07-2026 - by Backpackin' bros
Link: Lost Valley Camp Date: 09-07-2026 Surveyor Name: Backpackin' bros Camp Description: Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Stagnant pools with a small trickle that can be used with effort Weather Conditions: - Sheep Camp Survey - 09-06-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Sheep Camp Date: 09-06-2026 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: Decent flow rate Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Potrero Camp Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros
Link: Potrero Camp Date: 09-05-2026 Surveyor Name: Backpackin' bros Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Easily accessible with a pump or a bag Weather Conditions: - Coldwater Camp Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros
Link: Coldwater Camp Date: 09-05-2026 Surveyor Name: Backpackin' bros Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Heavy flow with deep pools Weather Conditions: - Nira Campground Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros
Link: Nira Campground Date: 09-05-2026 Surveyor Name: Backpackin' bros Camp Description: Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Still usable but getting sluggish Weather Conditions: - Fish Creek Camp Survey - 09-05-2026 - by Backpackin' bros
Link: Fish Creek Camp Date: 09-05-2026 Surveyor Name: Backpackin' bros Camp Description: Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Damn trees took it all. All of it!! Weather Conditions:
Submitted Trail Reports
A list of all the trail reports or surveys submitted by users. Please add a report if you visit the Los Padres.
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- Sespe River Trail Survey - 09-13-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Sespe River Trail Date: 09-13-2026 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Trail is clear and easy before Bear Creek, but gets a little tougher to follow (especially during river crossings) after that point. It's also overgrown in places, with very tough scratchy plants. Some poison oak, but it's easy to avoid if you're alert. Tons of water at Bear Creek, and intermittent water from there on out. There is some shallow but strongly flowing water at Willett Camp. Hot tub is in great shape, big shout out to whoever maintains that! Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Big Cone Spruce Trail Survey - 09-12-2026 - by Dylan
Link: Big Cone Spruce Trail Date: 09-12-2026 Surveyor Name: Dylan Trail description: Started from Manazana Creek trail. Slightly overgrown from the start. Water available starting half a mile from the main Manzana Creek trail. Hit an impassable jam of logs and thicket at a creek crossing, about a half mile before Big Cone Spruce Camp. Section I was able to hike did have some nice pools and shade. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Hard to follow Condition details: Impassable section - Manzana Trail East (Upper) Survey - 09-12-2026 - by Dylan
Link: Manzana Trail East (Upper) Date: 09-12-2026 Surveyor Name: Dylan Trail description: Trail in great shape from Nira trailhead to the Big Cone Spruce junction, just past the Narrows camp. Some slightly sketchy sections that could washout after a storm. Water available from the trailhead to a half mile beyond Lost Valley camp. Creek was dry from there to about a mile prior to Manzana camp (dry at Fish Creek Camp). Plenty of flowing water at Manzana camp and Manzana Narrows camp. Dry at the Big Cone Spruce trail junction.
Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Little Falls Trail Survey - 09-06-2026 - by @jungleperry
Link: Little Falls Trail Date: 09-06-2026 Surveyor Name: @jungleperry Trail description: I left my tools in my car. But had I known the trail was in such a poor condition I would have brought my loppers, a saw, and my pruners. And not set about to do the whole Little Falls, Big Falls loop from Rinconada trailhead, but down to the Upper Lopez Creek and turn around, there and back. I think 4 people would make the job doable basically in one day, but it's very difficult to traverse in its current state, and just one person (me, possibly) could not do all of that in one day. Some of the erosion is scary severe vertical taking half of the trail tread with it. Those kind of situations take more people and someone would be bringing a hoe or a shovel and another person would be bringing a pick. I had a new hiking partner with me and didn't want her to feel overwhelmed and also I didn't want to feel overwhelmed as well, so I suggested we cancel the Little Falls Big Falls loop trip and do another loop instead. Turned around went back. I think we had done a mile and a little over 1000 feet elevation in the heat.Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Hard to follow Condition details: Poor condition, hard to follow, too much erosion and deadfalls aplenty - Cold Spring Trail - North Survey - 08-15-2026 - by N
Link: Cold Spring Trail - North Date: 08-15-2026 Surveyor Name: N Trail description: Hiking down from Camino Cielo, the trail is in good shape until at least the Emerald Pool. Then it gets a bit brushy around waist-high (grass and thorns) for the last half mile before the Santa Ynez River. After following the flags to cross the river (still enough of them to find your way), the tread is in good shape to the Mono campsite - though poison oak is encroaching. Some more waist high grass and thorns on Camuesa Road to the Little Caliente turnoff. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail Survey - 07-13-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail Date: 07-13-2026 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: LPFA has brushed and restored tread on most of this nice little loop trail. It's in great shape, enjoy! Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow - Little Mutau Trail Survey - 06-13-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Little Mutau Trail Date: 06-13-2026 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Trail description: Trail was evident but loose and bushes encroaching. Only made it . 5 miles in with my dog before calling it as the thought of 3+ more miles of that condition seemed impossible if it was so bad that early on. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Piedra Blanca Trail Survey - 06-08-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Piedra Blanca Trail Date: 06-08-2026 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: LPFA completed a 10-day Volunteer Working Vacation to work the trail from Pine Mountain Lodge Camp toward Haddock Camp. We completed 3.3 miles of work, including brushing, restoring sketchy tread and the slide between 3 Mile and Haddock Camps, defining the route through creek crossings, and cutting out 13 downed logs blocking the trail. It is still brushy with a few downed trees the remaining .7 miles to Haddock Camp, but easy to follow. Looking good out there! Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Red Reef Trail Survey - 06-06-2026 - by Andrew
Link: Red Reef Trail Date: 06-06-2026 Surveyor Name: Andrew Trail description: Red Reef trail from Topa Topa to Sespe River. The tread is in good shape except for 2-3 wash-outs, so the trail is easy to follow. However, it frequently requires pushing through thick foliage. A good brushing would go a long way. Found Ladybug Camp by following a side trail that looks more like a washout, campsite is in great shape with several clear tent sites and running water. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Needs some work - Potrero John Trail Survey - 06-01-2026 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Potrero John Trail Date: 06-01-2026 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Trail description: LPFA spent several days this spring brushing the trail from the trailhead to Potrero John Camp. The trail is in great shape! Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Good shape and easy to follow
