Lady Bug Camp South Los Padres Los Padres National Forest

Submitted Camp Reports

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 05-20-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	05-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Ladybug camp appears to be completely washed out.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-18-2023 - by Pete Deneen

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-18-2023
Surveyor Name:	Pete Deneen
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 05-17-2023 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	05-17-2023
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Heading down to Ladybug from Nordhoff Ridge had some minor washed sections, and a few small downed trees. When approaching the camp a large fallen tree and some over froth make it difficult to find, but the camp is in great shape. Lady bugs were swarming and there was plenty of water. Red Reef trail going down to Sespe river was doable, but VERY over grown with unavoidable poison oak and littered with ticks the final .5 mile through Harris Tunnel. Spotted bear scatt on the trail and a lot of cat prints on the sandy banks of Sespe river.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Multiple creeks flowing around the camp due to recent rains
Weather Conditions:	Mid 80 to 70s in the day low 40s at night
Images:	Ceanothus was beautiful, but made it difficult to navigate the trail from ladybug to Sespe River Harris Tunnel

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 10-27-2022 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	10-27-2022
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Camp looked great, in good shape. Had a McLeod, Pulaski, shovel, broken pick and pick mattock. A little water flowing above the camp. Views remain some of the best. There is cell service in spots at camp as well, amazingly. Think it's coming from Frazier Mtn.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing is putting it nicely but there was some flow. You would need to carve out a small collection pool in order gather enough to pump or fill.
Weather Conditions:	Sunny. Cold in the morning, below freezing and hot in the afternoon, 80's.

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-03-2022 - by Addison Jerlow

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-03-2022
Surveyor Name:	Addison Jerlow
Camp Description:	Getting really slow right by camp. Better flow about halfway down spur trail to camp, but still a slow fill. Good, cold water. I know it says perennial, but I give it a few weeks until stagnant.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	mid 70s

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 04-01-2022 - by bardley

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	04-01-2022
Surveyor Name:	bardley
Camp Description:	the southern entrance (dropping down from hines peak road) to the camp is easy to miss.  the main trail turns left while the trail into camp proceeds straight ahead.  you will walk through flowing water on this trail.  the camp is in good condition.  there is one serviceable table.  there are two large tree rounds on end that provide more kitchen space.  two large rock bars, one shovel, and one pick are found leaning against the tree.  mobile service is present.  alas, no ladybugs.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing, small pools for cup dipping upstream of the camp
Weather Conditions:	60s / fair
Images:	ladybug camp ladybug camp

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 12-05-2021 - by Rick Hayes

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	12-05-2021
Surveyor Name:	Rick Hayes
Camp Description:	4in deep stagnant puddle 3ftx3ft. Located 100 South of ladybug camp
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	4in deep stagnant puddle 3ftx3ft
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 07-20-2021 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	07-20-2021
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 04-17-2021 - by Tom Fritz

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	04-17-2021
Surveyor Name:	Tom Fritz
Camp Description:	The trail from the top of Hines past Ladybug to Sespe is almost impassable without getting yourself shredded (brutal brush-busting). Read my report on the Red Reef trail status elsewhere. LadyBug camp needs some work. A couple of bay laurels have fallen over are lying across the trail at the entrance. The "newer" picnic table is turtled over and collapsed. No massive herds of ladybugs were there when I visited. Maybe one or two landed on my shirt sleeve, but that was it.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Could fill a 1L bottle in 10 seconds, with additional flow passing around the bottle.
Weather Conditions:	Sun was warm; cool breeze.
Images:	Consider this an "easy" portion of the trail Ladybug Camp needs some help. Here's the "newer" picnic table at Ladybug

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 02-27-2021 - by Tim Nicely

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	02-27-2021
Surveyor Name:	Tim Nicely
Camp Description:	There was only a trickle of water.  but enough to make the trek down from Hines Peak worth the sip. The trail was in pretty rough shape on that stretch of the Red Reef to the north and certainly not stock-passable. The ticks are waiting for you so cover up.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Enough to fill up.

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 01-17-2021 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	01-17-2021
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Water just up the creek from the actual camp
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 12-04-2020 - by Sparta FC

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	12-04-2020
Surveyor Name:	Sparta FC
Camp Description:	The spring was flowing quite well upstream from the camp and flowing in upper creek bed (did not check stream bed at camp due to fallen tree in bed).  I came in via the Hines Peak approach and saw water as approached the camp.  The Red Reef trail to the Sespe was in very poor shape with many washouts and the trail not clearly locatable.  Very slow going with it taking six hours to do seven miles.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 12-03-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	12-03-2020
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	significantly colder than surrounding area
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 07-27-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	07-27-2020
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-24-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-24-2019
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	creek is flowing.  lots of ladybugs. lots of shade.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 07-03-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	07-03-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	The portion of the spring nearest to the campsite was ample for water replenishing. The higher up I went (South, towards Hines Peak/away from the Sespe River) away from the camp the better the flow of the spring.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	80/50F

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-09-2017 - by James Lee Rea III

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-09-2017
Surveyor Name:	James Lee Rea III
Camp Description:	Nice shaded campsite with three good tent spots, two fire rings, and a multitude of pines.  Someone has left a shovel, pick axe, two pots and a lid.  Only been there once but it would seem that water would be non-existent later into a hot summer... (only my opinion, not experience)
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	good quality water appears suddenly out of the spring, flows/trickles into a stagnant pool right above the campsite then disappears into the ground not to be seen again for miles.
Weather Conditions:	surprisingly cool for time of year with a nice breeze. does seem like the trail and surrounding areas are capable of brutal heat.

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 03-16-2017 - by Daniel J. Hall

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	03-16-2017
Surveyor Name:	Daniel J. Hall
Camp Description:	Camp in good shape with Timber Creek flowing well.  Photos of water flow this date at http://tinyurl.com/n4af85e
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	good, clear flow of Timber Creek
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 02-16-2017 - by Aaron and GC

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	02-16-2017
Surveyor Name:	Aaron and GC
Camp Description:	Seems like a cold shaded camp in the winter. Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Plenty of water in the creek
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 02-15-2017 - by Kevin Fox

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	02-15-2017
Surveyor Name:	Kevin Fox
Camp Description:	Camp is in good shape.  Not a ton of good flat spots for tents here so it could be tight for a group.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Lots of water flowing in the creek - Lulled me right to sleep on a cold night!
Weather Conditions:	Not sure if this camp sees any sun in the winter months!
Images:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 01-15-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	01-15-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Trail from Sespe in good shape.  Camp area is visted a lot less than the usual Sespe destination.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	My visit was just after the recent storm. Lows in the 30's

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-11-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-11-2016
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 05-14-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	05-14-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Little flow, expected to "dry up soon". - M. Spencer
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 03-30-2016 - by Shaddus Maximus/Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	03-30-2016
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus/Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	This is an ice box of a camp, so bring your layers if plan on overnighting here.Â
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	The creek bed is dry immediately next to the camp site, but all you have to do is walk 100 feet or so upstream, where you'll find spring-fed, clear water (before it disappears underground).
Weather Conditions:

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 02-20-2016 - by JO

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	02-20-2016
Surveyor Name:	JO
Camp Description:	Camp has picnic table tools and pots and pans.  Lady bugs still plentiful.  Haven't been here since late 1970s.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Dry at camp, trickle at spring source.
Weather Conditions:	pleasant
Images:	Lady Bug camp lady bugs

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-02-2015 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-02-2015
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Tiny trickle from spring but creak was dry
Weather Conditions:	Hot Summer-like day

Lady Bug Camp Survey - 06-9-2017 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Lady Bug Camp
Date:	06-9-2017
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Lady Bug still had water flowing for about 20 feet before sinking back into the ground and disappearing. There were several gallons per minute flowing. The camp was in good shape with two tables and a fire pit/stove. Lady bugs were present near the water in large numbers.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	The water was flowing at at several gallons per minute
Weather Conditions:

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