Mormon Camp South Los Padres National Forest

• Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
• Topo Map Link: Bald Mountain
• Elevation: 1520 feet
• Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
• County: Santa Barbara County
• Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
• Longitude: -119.9236642
• Latitude: 34.83795557
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date	Surveyor	Water Report
12-18-2024	Will	Flowing
10-13-2024	Paul Muhl	Trickle
05-29-2024	Jeremy K	Flowing
02-16-2024	Los Padres Forest Association	Flowing
09-10-2023	Peter Parziale	Flowing
04-23-2023	Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School	Flowing
02-04-2022	Stephen S	Flowing
03-21-2021	Jeremy K	Flowing
01-12-2021	Easy-A	Trickle
01-01-2021	Shaddus Maximus	Trickle
12-11-2020	Steve Cypher	Flowing
05-16-2020	Addison Jerlow	Flowing
01-01-2020	Shaddus Maximus	Flowing
11-25-2019	Paul Cronshaw	Flowing
05-21-2019	Los Padres Forest Association	Flowing
04-01-2019	M Schless	Flowing
04-22-2018	Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School	Flowing
01-14-2018	Los Padres Forest Association	Flowing
04-02-2016	Katie Mendenhall	Flowing
05-06-2015	James Wapotich	Flowing

Photo By: Paul Cronshaw - Website Link

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Survey This Camp

Description:

The camp is located on the SisquocTrail (30W12) in the San Rafael Wilderness. This camp is near a grave-site and some interesting ruins from homesteading activity above camp toward Wellman Canyon.
This camp was so named by William Griffin, a forest ranger and member of the Mormon Church. While it is commonly assumed that the homesteaders in this area were Mormon, they actually were not. They followed the faith healing of Hiram Preservid Wheat, patriarch of the community. Just up the river from this camp, Adolf and Louise (Kline) Willmann, born in Germany, established a homestead in the 1880's. Here, they had a large apricot orchard and a wine grape vineyard, and they were among the most successful homesteaders in the Sisquoc River Valley. However, times began to change for them when they encountered problems with the Sisquoc Ranch over the road access to their property. Consequently, they sold out and left the area around 1912 or 1913. They were one of the last families to leave. The grave is that of one of Adolfs relatives, Herman Willmann, who died of tuberculosis. He established a homestead further up the river, and the remains of his stone house can still be seen. The present name, "Wellman," used to label the adjacent canyon, is a corruption of 209 "Willman" by the U.S. Topographic map maker in 1902. In June, 1966, a small airplane attempting to land on Wellman Mesa crashed at a spot between the river and the trail and caused a 90,000 acre fire. While two persons were killed in the wreck, two others miraculously survived.

Recent Uploads:

Photo By: Paul Cronshaw - Website Link

Survey Photos:

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  Katie Mendenhall - 04-02-2016
  The campsite
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  Katie Mendenhall - 04-02-2016
  Nearby farm ruins from the settlers
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  Katie Mendenhall - 04-02-2016
  Nearby farm equipment from the settlers
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 01-14-2018
  
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-21-2019
  
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-21-2019
  
• 
  Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
  Sisquoc River at Campsite
• 
  Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
  Nearby settler ruins
• 
  Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
  Nearby settler ruins
• 
  Paul Cronshaw - 11-25-2019
  Nearby settler ruins
• 
  Addison Jerlow - 05-16-2020
  
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  Addison Jerlow - 05-16-2020
  
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 02-16-2024
  
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 02-16-2024
  
• 
  Los Padres Forest Association - 02-16-2024
  Looking up-canyon from the Mormon bench, hard to see the new drop into the river but here it is! Also the boots and trash are in the photo under the oak tree.
• 
  Paul Muhl - 10-13-2024
  

Submitted Camp Reports

Mormon Camp Survey - 12-18-2024 - by Will

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	12-18-2024
Surveyor Name:	Will
Camp Description:	Much of the trail between Miller and Mormon is washed out where it crosses the creek. Found it easiest to hike up the creek for much of this section.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Plenty of water in river next to camp.
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 10-13-2024 - by Paul Muhl

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	10-13-2024
Surveyor Name:	Paul Muhl
Camp Description:	This is a beautiful little camp, currently covered in tall grass. The location of the old trail on the east side got washed out so badly it's now a cliff that's best negotiated a few ten yards further downstream.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Flowing enough to get good drinking water
Weather Conditions:	Sunny and warm
Images:

Mormon Camp Survey - 05-29-2024 - by Jeremy K

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	05-29-2024
Surveyor Name:	Jeremy K
Camp Description:	The trail is in decent condition. Thank you to whom ever hangs the flags and builds the trail markers.  The trail at Mormon Camp does have a 10 foot drop down to the river.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 02-16-2024 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	02-16-2024
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Mormon looked great! Biggest issue is that the winter 2023 storms took out some of the bench on the up-canyon side of the camp. As a result it's about a 8-10ft sheer drop into the river where the trail ramp used to be. People are now going downstream about 30yards and dropping in there, no big deal but certainly a large change to the camp. Someone had left a pair of womens hiking boots and an empty whiskey bottle, both need to be hauled out at some point.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Winter 2024 = lots of water!
Weather Conditions:
Images:	Looking up-canyon from the Mormon bench, hard to see the new drop into the river but here it is! Also the boots and trash are in the photo under the oak tree.

Mormon Camp Survey - 09-10-2023 - by Peter Parziale

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	09-10-2023
Surveyor Name:	Peter Parziale
Camp Description:	The trail on the plateau from Manzana Schoolhouse is in good shape.  Descending from the mesa, the trail was frequently washed out by the high waters from the winter rains. Previous hikers had built rock cairns/ducks especially at the places the trail crossed the water and our leader Doug used orange ribbon to flag the trickiest parts.  The trail at Mormon Camp basically goes off a 10-foot ledge, all washed out. A team member cut out a step or two, but it's not a permanent improvement.  The trail needs a lot of trail maintenance that to bring it up to stock-level.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	The winter rains continue to fill the stream.
Weather Conditions:	Hot and sunny

Mormon Camp Survey - 04-23-2023 - by Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	04-23-2023
Surveyor Name:	Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Camp Description:	Tons of shade here at Mormon. Just a little west is the beautiful Lorna Camp which is a real gem.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 02-04-2022 - by Stephen S

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	02-04-2022
Surveyor Name:	Stephen S
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 03-21-2021 - by Jeremy K

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	03-21-2021
Surveyor Name:	Jeremy K
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good Water Flow
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 01-12-2021 - by Easy-A

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	01-12-2021
Surveyor Name:	Easy-A
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Low flow but not stagnant.
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 01-01-2021 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	01-01-2021
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Big, clear pools of water at Mormon.
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 12-11-2020 - by Steve Cypher

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	12-11-2020
Surveyor Name:	Steve Cypher
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water from here to Water Canyon.
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 05-16-2020 - by Addison Jerlow

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	05-16-2020
Surveyor Name:	Addison Jerlow
Camp Description:	pretty overgrown with grass at present. good for one tent.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	flowing well just down the trail from camp. 1-2ft deep
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Mormon Camp Survey - 01-01-2020 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	01-01-2020
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 11-25-2019 - by Paul Cronshaw

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	11-25-2019
Surveyor Name:	Paul Cronshaw
Camp Description:	This campsite is located on a bench above the Sisquoc. There are two Klamath stoves at this campsite; one of them is used as a table.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Clean, flowing water with shallow pools
Weather Conditions:	70s and Sunny
Images:	Sisquoc River at Campsite Nearby settler ruins Nearby settler ruins Nearby settler ruins

Mormon Camp Survey - 05-21-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	05-21-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	LPFA trail survey along the Sisquoc between the Schoolhouse and just above Miller Camp.  Water found at all crossings due to large 2018-2919 winter season. Mormon Camp was in good shape.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water along the entire Sisquoc
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Mormon Camp Survey - 04-01-2019 - by M Schless

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	04-01-2019
Surveyor Name:	M Schless
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Sisqoc flowing steady
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 04-22-2018 - by Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	04-22-2018
Surveyor Name:	Matt Inman-Ojai Valley School
Camp Description:	Nice trail camp with shade. LPFA has worked the trail in this area and it is in good shape.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Solid flow here approx. 6" deep. Some small pools
Weather Conditions:

Mormon Camp Survey - 01-14-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	01-14-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Mormon Camp Could use some new bolts to reattach the sign to the post. Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Didn't see the usual beaver dams but good water at camp
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Mormon Camp Survey - 04-02-2016 - by Katie Mendenhall

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	04-02-2016
Surveyor Name:	Katie Mendenhall
Camp Description:	Great spot for camping!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Sisquoc River had lots of water.
Weather Conditions:
Images:	The campsite Nearby farm ruins from the settlers Nearby farm equipment from the settlers

Mormon Camp Survey - 05-06-2015 - by James Wapotich

Link:	Mormon Camp
Date:	05-06-2015
Surveyor Name:	James Wapotich
Camp Description:	Although the camp is right along the trail, it is located near a creek crossing along a scenic stretch of the Sisquoc. the camp has two grated stoves and fire ring.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	There is decent water a Mormon. Slow moving at the beaver dam, but good water just downstream.
Weather Conditions:

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