| Link: | Fishbowls Camp |
| Date: | 10-04-2026 |
| Surveyor Name: | Vicki Armstrong |
| Camp Description: | Trail slightly overgrown in places. Downed trees (have to go over or go around). Trail mostly easy to find with the exception of a few creek crossings with are overgrown - the flagging is faded/missing but there are some ducks at some crossings. Lots of annoying black flies especially at Fishbowls Camp. No trash on the trail - just a few bits of TP/wipes at camp. Campsites at Fishbowls are in good condition. (Another hiker told us that he got barked at by a bear at the Fishbowls themselves but we camped overnight and didn't see/hear anything.) |
| Water Source: | Stagnant |
| Water Source Details: | Scum on surface; full of what look like mosquito larvae |
| Weather Conditions: |
Submitted Camp and Trail Reports
Submitted Camp Reports
Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-04-2026 - by Vicki Armstrong- Big Cone Spruce Camp Survey - 10-03-2026 - by Joel Bockhahn
Link: Big Cone Spruce Camp Date: 10-03-2026 Surveyor Name: Joel Bockhahn Camp Description: Unfortunately, we didn't make it all the way to this camp. I was very much looking forward to getting there as the pictures posted by other more adventurous than I look beautiful. We hiked in on Manzana trail, starting at Nira. As others have mentioned, the trail is a bit overgrown but fairly easy to navigate until you get to around 34° 44' 3.44" N, 119° 50' 55.17" W where we were no longer able to follow the trail. Lots of downed trees and brush. We probably could have followed the creek up past the heavy brush, but we were losing our light and decided to do the safer thing and turn back and camp at the narrows. I will attempt this again when its not so hot.
Edit: I realized after I posted this that this really belongs on the trail survey and not the camp, since I never made it. I added a survey to the trail along with the GPS coordinates where we lost the trailWater Source: Flowing Water Source Details: plenty of flowing water Weather Conditions: clear and hot. Approx 100 degrees - Manzana Narrows Camp Survey - 10-03-2026 - by Joel Bockhahn
Link: Manzana Narrows Camp Date: 10-03-2026 Surveyor Name: Joel Bockhahn Camp Description: Camp is really nice. Lots of water, lots of flat spots for tents, good trees for hammocks. In the evening there were a lot of bugs, mostly flies and gnats that subsided after sundown. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Lots of flowing water Weather Conditions: clear and hot. Approx 100 degrees - Hard Luck Campground Survey - 10-01-2026 - by Stewart Gilbert
Link: Hard Luck Campground Date: 10-01-2026 Surveyor Name: Stewart Gilbert Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Cloudy, silty Weather Conditions: 93F, light breeze, clear - Twin Forks Camp Survey - 09-29-2026 - by Max Stern
Link: Twin Forks Camp Date: 09-29-2026 Surveyor Name: Max Stern Camp Description: Twin Forks Camp is in great shape. It can be used as an alternative to Piedra Blanca Camp, though it’s less suitable for large groups. A clearly marked sign on the trail will let you know that you have arrived. The Piedra Blanca Creek is flowing nicely right next to the camp. I noticed four sites with firepits. After crossing the creek, you will encounter site 1, which is located in a well-shaded clearing. From there, you can move farther away from the river to site 2, which is in a more exposed clearing. From there, you can navigate to sites 3 and 4, which are a bit hidden in the brush, but still perfectly functional.
Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Piedra Blanca Camp Survey - 09-29-2026 - by Max Stern
Link: Piedra Blanca Camp Date: 09-29-2026 Surveyor Name: Max Stern Camp Description: Piedra Blanca Camp is in great shape. The Piedra Blanca Creek is flowing nicely near the camp. I noticed four sites with firepits, but the main clearing is large enough for a big group and a handful of tents. When approaching the camp from the south, the first path you encounter will lead you to a small clearing with site 1. From there, the path will lead you to another small clearing, where a red metal box containing a visitor register binder can be found. Past this area is the main expansive clearing where sites 2, 3, and 4 are located in close proximity to one another. The trail can also be easily accessed from this clearing. If the camp happens to be fully occupied, Twin Forks Camp is an easy 10-15 minute walk up the trail.
Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Sunny, ~75F late morning - Pine Mountain Lodge Camp Survey - 09-29-2026 - by Max Stern
Link: Pine Mountain Lodge Camp Date: 09-29-2026 Surveyor Name: Max Stern Camp Description: Pine Mountain Lodge Camp is in great shape. The trail up to the camp from the south is challenging but well-maintained. The North Fork Piedra Blanca Creek is hardly flowing at this time, and the water adjacent to the camp is stagnant. I ended up following the course of the creek for about a quarter of a mile until I found a spot where the water was trickling. I noticed five sites. The first, southernmost is a makeshift site before the official camp, to the right of the sign pointing to Reyes Peak, which just consists of a small firepit. Soon after this sign, a small path will diverge from the trail leading to the primary site, located in a large clearing and featuring a table. Following the main trail, you will encounter a sign that says Pine Mountain Lodge and soon after, site 3. Site 4 is located just around the bend from site 3, and site 5 (not pictured) is located near the creek.
Water Source: Stagnant Water Source Details: Stagnant near camp but some trickling upstream Weather Conditions: Sunny, ~80F day, ~60F night - Sheep Camp Survey - 09-27-2026 - by S. Dillon
Link: Sheep Camp Date: 09-27-2026 Surveyor Name: S. Dillon Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Maple Camp Survey - 09-22-2026 - by Max Stern
Link: Maple Camp Date: 09-22-2026 Surveyor Name: Max Stern Camp Description: I went to investigate Maple Camp via the upper section of the North Fork Matilija Trail from the top of Cherry Creek Road. The hike down and up to the camp was difficult because the cliffside trail is almost completely overgrown with thick brush. Maple Camp hasn’t been maintained in a long time and is very overgrown. I noticed two sites. The main site has some space where a tent could potentially be set up and the fire infrastructure is in decent shape, albeit a bit overgrown. The secondary site is completely overgrown and covered by a fallen tree. Though it may be possible to camp here, hiking down North Fork Matilija in its current state is rather sketchy. I'm hoping Maple Camp and the whole upper section of North Fork Matilija get cleaned up.
Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Sunny, ~75F late morning - Sheep Camp Survey - 09-19-2026 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Sheep Camp Date: 09-19-2026 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: Spring flowing Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: 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.
Please click the survey to expand and view the survey.
- Big Cone Spruce Trail Survey - 10-03-2026 - by Joel Bockhahn
Link: Big Cone Spruce Trail Date: 10-03-2026 Surveyor Name: Joel Bockhahn Trail description: Did a backpacking trip, starting at Nira and the goal was to get to Big Cone Spruce Camp. Trail is pretty good all the way up until we ran into a large amount of deadfall and it was difficult to follow the trail. Lots of brush an PO approximately 34° 44' 3.44" N, 119° 50' 55.17" W. Probably could have made it if we hiked up the creek, but it was getting dark so we turned back. Overall a good trail and if you get to that spot with plenty of light, you probably would have no problem getting around it. For me, it was too hot (somewhere between 90 and 100 degrees, and too late in the evening to risk a very slow last mile or so to the camp. Mode of transport: Hike Trail condition: Hard to follow Condition details: Trail is a bit overgrown but not hard to follow - 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
