Painted Rock Camp South Los Padres National Forest

• Camp Type: Trail Camp
• Topo Map Link: Hurricane Deck
• Elevation: 4650 feet
• Wilderness Area: San Rafael
• County: Santa Barbara County
• Ranger District: Mt. Pinos Ranger District
• Longitude: -119.7538507
• Latitude: 34.83567368
• Water Sources: No Water Available
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Reservations: Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date	Surveyor	Water Report
04-23-2023	teusz	Flowing
04-08-2023	Anonymous Surveyor	Flowing
04-14-2022	Brad Anderson	Flowing
01-14-2022	BD	Trickle
11-23-2021	Shaddus Maximus	Dry
04-17-2021	Heather R	Flowing
02-13-2021	Nancy Aguilar	Dry
03-27-2019	Michael S	Flowing
03-26-2018	Shaddus Maximus	Dry
02-24-2017	Matt M	Flowing
11-28-2016	Los Padres Forest Association	Dry
11-26-2016	Nathan	Flowing
03-28-2016	Aaron Songer	Trickle
05-17-2015	Brian Pidduck	Stagnant
05-03-2015	Jeff B.	Dry
03-28-2015	Kenbo	Trickle
05-18-2014	Los Padres Forest Association	Stagnant
03-02-2014	LPFA	Trickle
11-1-2013	Bryan Conant	Dry

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Survey This Camp

Description:

Located on the Sierra Madre Road behind locked gates. Positioned slightly off the road near large sandstone outcropping facing south with small openings weathered into its surface. The site is known as "House of the Sun' because of a large circle in the upper opening. Numerous bed rock mortars exist at the base of the cliff scattered sandstone rocks. The Jackson trail starts near the camp. Often used as a stopping point for mountain bikers traveling the long road. Water is very scarce in this area.

Recent Uploads:

Photo By: - Website Link

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Survey Photos:

• 
  Kenbo - 03-28-2015
  
• 
  Kenbo - 03-28-2015
  
• 
  Aaron Songer - 03-28-2016
  Painted Rock Camp
• 
  Aaron Songer - 03-28-2016
  Road to Jackson Cabin
• 
  Aaron Songer - 03-28-2016
  Jackson Cabin
• 
  Aaron Songer - 03-28-2016
  Lion Canyon
• 
  Aaron Songer - 03-28-2016
  Montgomery Potrero
• 
  Matt M - 02-24-2017
  Painted Rock
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  Matt M - 02-24-2017
  Cabin near Jackson Trail
• 
  Matt M - 02-24-2017
  Lion Canyon
• 
  Matt M - 02-24-2017
  Snow at Painted Rock
• 
  Anonymous Surveyor - 04-08-2023
  
• 
  Anonymous Surveyor - 04-08-2023
  
• 
  Anonymous Surveyor - 04-08-2023
  

Submitted Camp Reports

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 04-23-2023 - by teusz

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	04-23-2023
Surveyor Name:	teusz
Camp Description:	We stopped for lunch at the Painted Rock Camp during a bike traverse of the Sierra Madre ridge.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water was flowing off the rock feature, more than enough to filter. Water had a yellow-ish tint, but didn't taste bad.
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 04-08-2023 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	04-08-2023
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Beautiful campsite currently. Everything is extremely green after a wet season. A bit tough to get to if you're coming from Aliso camp. A lot of overgrown poison oak and downed trees make it fairly challenging to get through. Once you are up to the ridge line, it is a smooth journey.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Rainy season left plenty of streams around the area
Weather Conditions:	40s at night and 70-80s during the day. Sunny
Images:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 04-14-2022 - by Brad Anderson

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	04-14-2022
Surveyor Name:	Brad Anderson
Camp Description:	Camp is in great shape!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Use Mont Spring #3 near the cabin at the Jackson Trail
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 01-14-2022 - by BD

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	01-14-2022
Surveyor Name:	BD
Camp Description:	Road from Santa Barbara Potrero in rough shape after an apparent muddy cattle drive.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 11-23-2021 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	11-23-2021
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:	Water is available about a half mile away in the trough next to the cabin at the top of the Jackson Trail
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	See additional comments below
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 04-17-2021 - by Heather R

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	04-17-2021
Surveyor Name:	Heather R
Camp Description:	Not sure if this water source is any of the (Montgomery) springs shown on the map -- location doesn't seem to match.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	behind old cabin just west (and "up" road) from Painted Rock, good water
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 02-13-2021 - by Nancy Aguilar

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	02-13-2021
Surveyor Name:	Nancy Aguilar
Camp Description:	Absolutely beautiful. The wilderness surrounds you. I would have gone farther but the clouds were moving and I didnt want to get caught in the rain.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	I rode through on my bike. I wasn't looking for water.
Weather Conditions:	start in the 40's and got up to about 60

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 03-27-2019 - by Michael S

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	03-27-2019
Surveyor Name:	Michael S
Camp Description:	Montgomery #2 was flowing well from the road down. Montgomery #3 had strong flow out of the pipe. Lots of water everywhere. Painted rock had water coming down the little waterfall.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	35 overnight with light rain

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 03-26-2018 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	03-26-2018
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:	While Painted Rock itself is dry, there is water about a half mile away at nearby Montgomery Spring.Â
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 02-24-2017 - by Matt M

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	02-24-2017
Surveyor Name:	Matt M
Camp Description:	Started from Aliso Camp Trailhead.  Trail was in much better shape than anticipated given the recent rains.  First quarter to Hog Pen was fine, creek was flowing nicely, water crossings were minor.  Switchbacks were great...a few potholes, but no major erosion.  Sierra Madre fireroad had 4-6 medium sized boulders from minor landslides that would make it impassable for vehicles.  I think you'd need a wench to clear them.  Didn't make it down Jackson trail...we decided to day hike to Lion Canyon on Saturday.  That entire zone (Painted Rock, Montgomery Potrero, Lion Canyon) is one of the most epic Chumash magic spots I've seen back there...can't believe it took me this long to see them.  10/10.  Got some significant snowfall Saturday night/Sunday morning, which added to the fun.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Springs flowing everywhere, montgomery potrero was essentially a marsh
Weather Conditions:	Beautiful hike in on Friday, warm and sunny. Snowstorm on the way out Sunday!
Images:	Painted Rock Cabin near Jackson Trail Lion Canyon Snow at Painted Rock

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 11-28-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	11-28-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Article written in Noozhawk: Dan McCaslin: Three Potreros on Sierra Madre Ridge
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 11-26-2016 - by Nathan

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	11-26-2016
Surveyor Name:	Nathan
Camp Description:	Found water by the cabin. Flowing at a slow rate from the hose. Judging from the green grass down stream the spring had been flowing for some time. Saw a nice snow storm the way out.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Trickle
Weather Conditions:	Windy and Snowing

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 03-28-2016 - by Aaron Songer

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	03-28-2016
Surveyor Name:	Aaron Songer
Camp Description:	Camp is in great shape. Potrero is green and full of flowers. Went down to Jackson Cabin and it is holding up strong. There was one trough next to the cabin that was full of water.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	montgomery spring had a couple inches of good water and was trickling
Weather Conditions:	sunny and mild
Images:	Painted Rock Camp Road to Jackson Cabin Jackson Cabin Lion Canyon Montgomery Potrero

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 05-17-2015 - by Brian Pidduck

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	05-17-2015
Surveyor Name:	Brian Pidduck
Camp Description:	Painted Rock Camp is in OK shape.  Here with a group of 8 students and 2 faculty from the Thacher School. A group moved the table up to the oak trees on the hill.  Some trash in the area, which we collected and packed out.  All that aside, this is an incredible area to explore and to visit overnight.  On a 6-day bikepacking tour from Bates Cyn to Carpinteria.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Montgomery #2 had stagnant water - silty and with high density of aquatic insects. We had hauled water to Painted Rock from Bates Cyn, but were pleased to see water here. Filled up 10 liters very easily.
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 05-03-2015 - by Jeff B.

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	05-03-2015
Surveyor Name:	Jeff B.
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 03-28-2015 - by Kenbo

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	03-28-2015
Surveyor Name:	Kenbo
Camp Description:	Camp was clean and in good condition.  Log book at painted rock only had 1 page to write on.  There were 2 entries for 2015.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Montgomery #2 was a small puddle with clear water.
Weather Conditions:	Clear sky, mid 80's. Cool and breezy at night.
Images:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 05-18-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	05-18-2014
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Painted Rock – used Montgomery # 2 Spring – cattle trough – very fine sediment, supply a little low. Montgomery # 1 was pooling, but insufficient supply for our group.
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 03-02-2014 - by LPFA

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	03-02-2014
Surveyor Name:	LPFA
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Montgomery Spring #1 was dry with some moist mud, Montgomery Spring #2 was flowing but green, Montgomery Spring #3 green with water.
Weather Conditions:

Painted Rock Camp Survey - 11-1-2013 - by Bryan Conant

Link:	Painted Rock Camp
Date:	11-1-2013
Surveyor Name:	Bryan Conant
Camp Description:	Passed through the camp as part of a VWR patrol. Camp was in good shape as per normal.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Sunny, light breeze, mid 70's

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