Fishbowls Camp South Los Padres National Forest

Submitted Camp Reports

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-12-2024 - by Vicki Armstrong

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	10-12-2024
Surveyor Name:	Vicki Armstrong
Camp Description:	Fishbowls Trail from Fishbowls TH to Fishbowls Camp is generally good. The uphill section from Fishbowls Camp to the intersection with the Cedar Creek trail is mostly good but some of the tread going across the sections of steep slopes is very narrow and could be a safety issue in the rain/snow.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Decent trickle of water flowing in 3-4" deep creek. Downstream is stagnant pools.
Weather Conditions:
Images:	Cedar Creek trail Fishbowl Trail Sketchy trail tread between Fishbowl Camp and the intersection with Cedar Creek trail

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 06-08-2024 - by Pierson Jacquelin

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	06-08-2024
Surveyor Name:	Pierson Jacquelin
Camp Description:	Philmont Crew-In-Training 728-7D (Troop 108 Culver City) hiked the six miles to Fishbowls Camp the weekend of 6/8-6/9.  Conditions were nearly perfect.  The trail was well marked and easy to follow with about a dozen easy crossings over Piru Creek on the way to camp.  The creek was flowing nicely.  The Fishbowl was full and we were rewarded with a great afternoon dip.  We camped at the 1st site with the jumble of rocks and the USFS fire pit, not realizing that there are two additional sites across the creek closer to the Fishbowl.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Steady flow
Weather Conditions:	High 70's during the day, low 50's in the pre-dawn hours. Perfect.
Images:	The Fishbowl Firepit & Kitchen Tenting spot above & behind the rocks With the rocks at your back, the trail continues to Cedar Creek and The Fishbowl... Getting close to camp...

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-24-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-24-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	A great camp ground. There is plenty of space and one official permanent fire pit. There are two unofficial fire pits and areas nearby the camp site that are tent friendly incase you want some privacy. Follow the pink markers...some of the fishbowl trail is washed away and the pink markers mark the new trail in some areas!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	The stream was full, but not to its maximum. There was about half a foot of water and requires hikers to tip toe over mostly submerged rocks in order not to get wet. It was good to see such a lively stream in such a dry place there is plants and animals surrounding the stream all throughout the fishbowl/cedar creek loop!
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 09-16-2023 - by OL MARTO

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	09-16-2023
Surveyor Name:	OL MARTO
Camp Description:	No one at camp or the fishbowls.  Continued on to Cedar Creek Camp.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water was clear and flowing
Weather Conditions:	Clear / Warm

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 11-21-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	11-21-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Hiked up from Rose Valley Lot > Gene Marshall > Pine Mtn Lodge (water flowing) > Cedar Creek > Fishbowls.  No water after Pine Mtn Lodge until Fishbowls Camp.  Snow along route with trail a bit hard to find in some places.  We did not camp at the official Fishbowls camp site.  Nor did we hike up to the actual Fishbowl.  We pressed on for another few miles along the creek.  Creek was flowing / trickling in many places. Plenty of water but frozen along the way.  Water bottles also froze that night.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing but frozen in many places
Weather Conditions:	Snow on ground in some place. Creek frozen. Freezing temps at night.
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-16-2022 - by Menso de Jong

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	10-16-2022
Surveyor Name:	Menso de Jong
Camp Description:	Car camped at Thorn Meadow the weekend of 10/15/22 and ran the Cedar/Fishbowls Loop. Trails were standard LPNF backcountry: brushy, a few slides, a few downed trees, but altogether easy to follow and passable. The creeks were dry virtually everywhere, except at the well-placed backcountry campgrounds, where they were still flowing between a few reasonably deep pools.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing, but only near camp, not along the trail
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-29-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-29-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-23-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-23-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Camp in great shape.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-14-2022 - by wsizoo

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-14-2022
Surveyor Name:	wsizoo
Camp Description:	The days were hot and the evenings chilly. Had a bear come into camp in the morning, but it ran away when it heard a loud "hey bear".
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing in Piru creek near camp
Weather Conditions:	31-88

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-01-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-01-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water flowing in pools and along the trail.
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 11-04-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	11-04-2021
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Small trickle in the bowls not making it down into camp. 2020-2021 was a dry winter. Camp was well organized and had occupants due to D13 hunting season.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 07-14-2021 - by Corndog

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	07-14-2021
Surveyor Name:	Corndog
Camp Description:	Snags present near most sites
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	No trickle in any pools. Stagnant with a layer of mosquito eggs on the surface
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 04-19-2021 - by Tom Fritz

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	04-19-2021
Surveyor Name:	Tom Fritz
Camp Description:	Followed two or three dirt bike tracks all the way in from the TH until they continued on their way down to Cedar Creek at the junction-split to PML/FB/CC. Although tearing up the ground, the tracks were helpful in leading through the heavy brush which has been encroaching on the trail over the years. FB camp is in good shape. The major fishbowl silted in a few years back, but is now about 5 feet deep.  The face of the forest is changing. I'm concerned with how "stressed" the forest surrounding the camp (headwaters of the Piru) has become over the years. Whether because of climate change, beetles, or drought, it doesn't appear as lush as I remember it in the mid 70s when I first came here. I see more pine and cedar snags and downfall in and around camp.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flow is a little slow. Definitely not a "trickle". Piru is slowly flowing all the way from where you first encounter it.
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-19-2020 - by T. Robertson

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	10-19-2020
Surveyor Name:	T. Robertson
Camp Description:	Some critters visible in the stagnant water, able to flush most out before filtering. Been a few days and we didn’t get sick.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	80°
Images:	Shallow water next to camp Another bit of water near camp

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 07-26-2020 - by Adam Olivares

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	07-26-2020
Surveyor Name:	Adam Olivares
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 06-27-2020 - by Addison Jerlow

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	06-27-2020
Surveyor Name:	Addison Jerlow
Camp Description:	tons of flat spots at all 4 camping areas. fishbowls is still full, flowing and cold. creek starting to slow/dry downstream.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	poor flow at camp proper. best to fill near the swimming hole.
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 06-07-2020 - by Will

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	06-07-2020
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:	Camp is in great condition!  Water is flowing well all the way from Fishbowls trailhead, and is ~4 feet deep at the bowls themselves.  Trail in can be a bit hard to follow at times, but is in generally good shape.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 06-06-2020 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	06-06-2020
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:	Camp is in great shape. Fishbowl pool is nice, deep and cold.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water flow
Weather Conditions:	Mid 60s sunny, windy
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-24-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-24-2020
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	camp is in good condition. water at fishbowls is flowing and cold!Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-13-2020 - by Arliss Crow

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-13-2020
Surveyor Name:	Arliss Crow
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 11-09-2019 - by MSubbotin

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	11-09-2019
Surveyor Name:	MSubbotin
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Fishbowl full, trickle of water and 6" deep pools at camp easy to filter
Weather Conditions:	clear, sunny, 70F; nighttime 30F and water frozen at creek edges

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-05-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	10-05-2019
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 08-17-2019 - by Dgdelacruz

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	08-17-2019
Surveyor Name:	Dgdelacruz
Camp Description:	Standing water most areas along Piru Creek, so plenty of gnats. Full, warm and clear bowls of water themselves, but no flow.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Clear, deep in tubs/pools
Weather Conditions:	Sunny high 80s
Images:	Piru Creek bear trail head Piru Creek just below Fish Bowls Camp

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 06-27-2019 - by The Lost Padre

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	06-27-2019
Surveyor Name:	The Lost Padre
Camp Description:	Some hazard trees around camp. Quite a bit of deadfall. Take heed of where you set up camp if it's windy
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	still has good flow & the water is clear
Weather Conditions:	Down into the 40's at night
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 04-20-2019 - by Tom Marsh

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	04-20-2019
Surveyor Name:	Tom Marsh
Camp Description:	Fish bowls flowing good. Had the place to ourselves as the Grade Valley road is closed indefinitely.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Really good flow
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, breezy in the 60s
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-08-2018 - by Christopher P. Lord

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	10-08-2018
Surveyor Name:	Christopher P. Lord
Camp Description:	Camp is Impressive and in great shape. Piru Creek directly adjacent to the main campsites had a trickle in places however mostly stagnant though plenty enough water to filter. The Fishbowls were mostly brackish standing water. You can read the full write up below. http://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2018/10/fishbowls-to-cedar-creek-loop.html
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and 67*
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 09-28-2018 - by Kevin Hall

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	09-28-2018
Surveyor Name:	Kevin Hall
Camp Description:	Bear scat about every quarter mile on Fishbowls Trail.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Fishbowls had stagnant water, plus stagnant puddles by the trail.
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and warm.
Images:	Stagnant puddle by trail. Fishbowls.

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-27-2018 - by Jackson

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-27-2018
Surveyor Name:	Jackson
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing well
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-26-2018 - by Craig R. Carey

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-26-2018
Surveyor Name:	Craig R. Carey
Camp Description:	As part of their final pre-summer training trip, Troop 111 Scouts (Ventura) took their lunch break at Fishbowls trail camp. Lots of water and great conditions right now.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Cold and clear
Weather Conditions:	Cold and clear
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-13-2018 - by Laura

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-13-2018
Surveyor Name:	Laura
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 11-18-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	11-18-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing but not much. Not great tasting but it works.
Weather Conditions:	Cold at night. 27F our water bottles froze. Great during the day.

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 11-11-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	11-11-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Shallow but swift trickle into deep and clear pool.
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 10-08-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	10-08-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-24-2017 - by Lightningrod

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-24-2017
Surveyor Name:	Lightningrod
Camp Description:	Spent a couple of nights at Fishbowls, which has plenty of water and the large pool is really nice for a cool down as summer approaches.  Bugs are becoming a nuisance as the weather warms up. Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Creek is flowing all the way from the trail head to the camp.
Weather Conditions:	Clear and 80 plus degrees

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 08-27-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	08-27-2016
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	We ended up not staying because the campsite was lousy with mosquitoes & other flying bugs and our boys were exhausted. We did end up pumping from the stagnant water through our filter and no one has reported any diarrhea.Â
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Water is stagnant with a film on it.
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 07-16-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	07-16-2016
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Hiked Fishbowls-Cedar Creek Loop. Occasional water in Piru Creek. No water at creek crossings at Fishbowls campsite. Three trees down in approximately first 3 miles from Fishbowls TH. Trees easily passable. All Fishbowls Campsites in very good condition/clean.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Upper pool mirky with layer of film on water
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, 85 degrees
Images:	Lower Fishbowl

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-12-2016 - by Valerie Norton

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-12-2016
Surveyor Name:	Valerie Norton
Camp Description:	Hiked the loop (and recorded it here) to see the Fishbowls. They were silted in two years ago, they are much better now.  Water flowing the whole way in Piru and Cedar Creek.  The first ford is over knee high.  "Halfway up my door" according to Ranger Roy.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good flow in Piru, a little flow in the tributary.
Weather Conditions:	clear and around 75-80

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 04-19-2016 - by Rod Hallin

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	04-19-2016
Surveyor Name:	Rod Hallin
Camp Description:	Did a dayhike to Fishbowls from Pine Mountain Lodge to check out the camp.  Plenty of water flow and the camp was in good shape.  No one at the camp which was not unexpected with Grade Valley Road still closed.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Very good flow on Piru Creek next to the camp.
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and mild; temp in the upper 60's.

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 09-12-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	09-12-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Water at Fishbowls.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 07-04-2015 - by Joshua Isaac

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	07-04-2015
Surveyor Name:	Joshua Isaac
Camp Description:	Hot - upper 80s and low 90s - and tons of bees, flies, and mosquitos. Had the camp all to ourselves.Â
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	There was enough water to fill the main fishbowl, but the water below it was stagnant. Several pools in the streambed next to camp. However, the water is barely flowing, no more than a trickle.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 04-30-2015 - by Mark S

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	04-30-2015
Surveyor Name:	Mark S
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	shallow flow through camp; Fishbowl sediment partially gone and can sit in neck deep.
Weather Conditions:	clear & sunny, low 70's
Images:	Trail crossing and water flow in front of main camp

Fishbowls Camp Survey - 05-24-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Fishbowls Camp
Date:	05-24-2014
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Information gathered by James Wapotich while on a VWR Patrol. You can follow James on his blog: http://songsofthewilderness.wordpress.com
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	While there is water in the Fishbowl, the pool has been silted in.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

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