Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Potrero Seco Camp South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Trail Camp
- Topo Map Link: Rancho Nuevo Creek
- Elevation: 4857 feet
- Wilderness Area: Non Wilderness Area
- County: Ventura County
- Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.4278364
- Latitude: 34.63788944
- Water Sources: No nearby water is available. The closest water is miles away in any direction.
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Trail Camp
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 05-23-2020 | Tim Cameron | Dry |
| 01-18-2020 | Christopher P. Lord | Dry |
| 11-20-2018 | Los Padres Forest Association | Dry |
| 02-22-2018 | Anonymous Surveyor | Dry |
| 01-26-2014 | Anonymous Surveyor | Dry |
Description:
Potrero Seco means 'dry meadow' in Spanish and lives up perfectly to its name. The camp is set atop a series of meadows along a ridge line overlooking the headwaters of the Sespe to the east and Don Victor Valley to the west. While the camp has some amenities such as tables and fire rings, there is no water at Potrero Seco. It is dry and you will have to haul in all the water you'd need.
Potrero Seco was once the home of a Forest Service Ranger Station. The station and building were razed many years ago and any signs of the foundation or buildings are very difficult to find and require quite an imaginination.
The camp is about 3.5 miles off Hwy 33 along the Potrero Seco Road. The Potrero Seco Rd is a Forest Service administrative road and is closed to public vehicle use. The most common way to access Potrero Seco is mountain bikers along the road from Hwy 33. The road is in great shape and does see a good amount of use by the people who live in the privates inholdings on the eastern edge of Potrero Seco. While the road does see use, the camp is rarely used. The lack of water and harsh landscape make Potrero Seco Camp more of a stop along the way rather than a destination. That being said, when the light is right and the winds calm, Pot Seco can be quite nice and scenic. And if you are quiet enough, might be one of the better wildlife viewings sites in this part of the forest.
Survey Photos:
Los Padres Forest Association - 11-20-2018
Christopher P. Lord - 01-18-2020
Christopher P. Lord - 01-18-2020
Christopher P. Lord - 01-18-2020
Christopher P. Lord - 01-18-2020
Christopher P. Lord - 01-18-2020
Tim Cameron - 05-23-2020
One of the many comfortable tent sites. A little overgrown with grass but still very usable.
Tim Cameron - 05-23-2020
The fantastic views to the west get even better at sunset. This site is a hidden gem, with the exception of the onerous water trip.
Submitted Camp Reports
Potrero Seco Camp Survey - 05-23-2020 - by Tim CameronLink: Potrero Seco Camp Date: 05-23-2020 Surveyor Name: Tim Cameron Camp Description: I spent one night at Potrero Seco campground. It was totally deserted and very pretty, with expansive views to the East and West. There's space for a large number of tents at the main camp combined with the nearby dispersed camp. The grass is starting to get messy, but the tent sites are still mostly clear and usable. Two worn but sturdy picnic tables are great for cooking. This was my first visit and I wasn't expecting the water to be so difficult to reach. Oak Spring is unreachable on a direct route from the campsite: there's too much vegetation to bushwhack through. You need to walk further along the fire road until it opens out into a meadow, then cross that meadow downhill to the spring. It's at the bottom of a very awkward gully made of soft clay. It took me two full hours to reach the spring, filter 10 liters (I was overnighting with a partner) and hike back to camp. As mentioned, the water tastes awful even after multiple filterings. If I'd known these conditions, I would have tried La Jolla spring or filled up at the small brackish pond near Oak Spring, which looks like it'll be dry by the end of June.It might be possible to reach Oak Spring by climbing a little up the hill to the north of the camp, then making your way carefully down into the gully. There seems to be less vegetation that way. I plan to come back and try the alternate routes soon.ÂWater Source: Dry Water Source Details: No water at the campsite. You would need to bushwhack down to Oak Springs or La Jolla Spring, still flowing in May. Weather Conditions: High of 80, low in the mid 40's Images:
One of the many comfortable tent sites. A little overgrown with grass but still very usable.
The fantastic views to the west get even better at sunset. This site is a hidden gem, with the exception of the onerous water trip.- Potrero Seco Camp Survey - 01-18-2020 - by Christopher P. Lord
Link: Potrero Seco Camp Date: 01-18-2020 Surveyor Name: Christopher P. Lord Camp Description: Passed through Martin Luther king weekend on my way to Don Victor. Potrero Seco has a couple sites with picnic tables, however not much privacy as it directly faces the private inholding on the potrero. Might still make a good place to spend the night and do some exploring along 25W04 if there's anything left of it to follow. Small cluster of deer were roaming the grasses near camp. Blog link below has more details. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Images: - Potrero Seco Camp Survey - 11-20-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Potrero Seco Camp Date: 11-20-2018 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Camp was clean with great views. A couple areas to choose from if privacy or wind was a concern. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Not sure if there is ever water here, probably not. Weather Conditions: Cold and breezy Images: - Potrero Seco Camp Survey - 02-22-2018 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Potrero Seco Camp Date: 02-22-2018 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: The FS road up to the camp is wide, well-graded and very lightly trafficked. I encountered two other hikers and several trucks towing trailers with heavy equipment on them. It was very quiet when there was no traffic. Great day hike! Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: Occasional clouds, breezy, and cool (guessing low 50's). - Potrero Seco Camp Survey - 01-26-2014 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Potrero Seco Camp Date: 01-26-2014 Surveyor Name: Anonymous Surveyor Camp Description: The Potrero Seco Campground has a fire pit and table, the camp looks over the Dick Smith Wilderness and the ranch that is located at Potrero Seco . Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: 34 degrees at night and around 65 degrees in the day
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Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Friday, January 1, 2016
