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Upper Bear Camp South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: Big Pine Mountain
  • Elevation: 5253 feet feet
  • Wilderness Area: San Rafael
  • County: Santa Barbara County
  • Ranger District: Santa Lucia Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.6334957
  • Latitude: 34.70450659
  • Water Sources: At the head water of the Sisquoc river.
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
10-02-2024Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
03-13-2024Michael McGurkFlowing
05-20-2022Addison JerlowFlowing
04-25-2022Ojai Valley School Lower CampusFlowing
04-15-2022Brad AndersonFlowing
03-12-2022Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
02-05-2022Stephen SFlowing
11-26-2021Diane SoiniFlowing
05-16-2021Rick HayesTrickle
03-29-2021Louis TremblayFlowing
07-02-2020Micah SittigDry
06-27-2020Conor WFlowing
05-22-2020Surly OneFlowing
01-05-2019Brad AndersonFlowing
05-29-2018Chris JonesFlowing
04-20-2018Daniel J. HallFlowing
03-27-2018Shaddus MaximusFlowing
02-25-2018BastienFlowing
05-20-2017MSchlessFlowing
03-19-2017Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
07-16-2016jasonn beckstrandFlowing
05-21-2016James WapotichFlowing
05-15-2016Jasonn BeckstrandFlowing
05-10-2016Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
11-14-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
09-26-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
03-03-2015Bryan ConantFlowing
11-24-2014Shaddus Maximus Flowing
05-11-2014Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
Photo: Shaddus Maximus - 11-24-2014
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Survey This Camp

Description:

Upper Bear Camp is located on the Sisquoc Trail, this is a small trail camp shaded by the pine trees and cedars. The head waters of the Sisquoc are a reliable source of water and frequently accessed by bikers using the Buckhorn Road to travel across the forest.  There is a huge stove on the far side of the creek at Upper Bear but its been overgrown in the past few years after the Zaca Fire. 

Recent Uploads:

Survey Photos:


  • Shaddus Maximus - 11-24-2014

  • Bryan Conant - 03-03-2015
    Warm and dry

  • Bryan Conant - 03-03-2015

  • Bryan Conant - 03-03-2015

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 09-26-2015
    Stove at Upper Bear

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 09-26-2015
    Upper Bear Camp, Summer Style

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 09-26-2015
    Creek at Upper Bear

  • jasonn beckstrand - 07-16-2016
    steady flow right at camp

  • Los Padres Forest Association - 03-19-2017

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-12-2022

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-12-2022

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-12-2022

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-12-2022

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-12-2022

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 03-12-2022

Submitted Camp Reports

Upper Bear Camp Survey - 10-02-2024 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 10-02-2024
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Water was flowing clear and cold.
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-13-2024 - by Michael McGurk
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 03-13-2024
Surveyor Name:Michael McGurk
Camp Description:There is now a stream running through main are of camp and the camp has debris that needs to be cleared from flooding.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:water running through camp
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-20-2022 - by Addison Jerlow
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-20-2022
Surveyor Name:Addison Jerlow
Camp Description:Camp is in good shape. Spring is flowing down the use trail but difficult to fill even my cnoc. Many pools left to scoop though. Lots of stinging nettle interspersed with the mugwort and mint so watch out! Middle Bear hot and sunny, but a nice table, no water nearby. Saw bear #2 for the day downstream of the meadow at Middle Bear!
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:slow flow, not the easiest to fill
Weather Conditions:low 70s
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 04-25-2022 - by Ojai Valley School Lower Campus
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 04-25-2022
Surveyor Name:Ojai Valley School Lower Campus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good sized camp about .5 miles below Admin. Rd. Reliable water, nice atmosphere.
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 04-15-2022 - by Brad Anderson
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 04-15-2022
Surveyor Name:Brad Anderson
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Creek is flowing and trail is in good shape.
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-12-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 03-12-2022
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Camp was in good condition. Creek was flowing. Middle bear is not in good condition. A picnic table is present but it’s in the burned zoned with overgrown grass. Only camp at upper or lower. Room for 2-4 small tents. Trail is narrow to lower bear. Trail is not impressive to Heath. Many down logs on the side of the trail. Poison oak at the creek crossings. No views 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:







Upper Bear Camp Survey - 02-05-2022 - by Stephen S
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 02-05-2022
Surveyor Name:Stephen S
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 11-26-2021 - by Diane Soini
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 11-26-2021
Surveyor Name:Diane Soini
Camp Description:The camp was a nice place, shaded and cool with plenty of clean water.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Clear, warm day
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-16-2021 - by Rick Hayes
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-16-2021
Surveyor Name:Rick Hayes
Camp Description:Trickling. 4 inch deep water sections. Clean and clear
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-29-2021 - by Louis Tremblay
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 03-29-2021
Surveyor Name:Louis Tremblay
Camp Description:Camp was cleaned up by the Connors family! In great shape and water is flowing strongly. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 07-02-2020 - by Micah Sittig
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 07-02-2020
Surveyor Name:Micah Sittig
Camp Description:
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 06-27-2020 - by Conor W
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 06-27-2020
Surveyor Name:Conor W
Camp Description:Camp is in good condition. Thanks Beeman and company who were there before! Camp fire is tagged out due to fire season. Tons Lady Bugs on the Cedars. We cleared slash off the trail leading up to the Amalar Saddle. Tread is OK but loose soil is beginning to deposit on trail in steep areas above camp. 
 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Feeder creek near old ice-can stove is flowing
Weather Conditions:Warm/Fair: High 70's in shade of camp.
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-22-2020 - by Surly One
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-22-2020
Surveyor Name:Surly One
Camp Description:Creek flowing,  camp still in bad shape but beautiful. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Ample flow, fresh and cold!
Weather Conditions:70ish, blue skies
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 01-05-2019 - by Brad Anderson
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 01-05-2019
Surveyor Name:Brad Anderson
Camp Description:Good condition!
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Small pools up to 1 foot in depth.
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-29-2018 - by Chris Jones
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-29-2018
Surveyor Name:Chris Jones
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Water is clear and good flow. No stagnant water.
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 04-20-2018 - by Daniel J. Hall
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 04-20-2018
Surveyor Name:Daniel J. Hall
Camp Description:This has become a very nice camp, rescued from the brush of earlier years and now providing safer camping than at Bear (aka Middle Bear) down the trail where so many dead trees are waiting to fall.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:clean flowing water
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-27-2018 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 03-27-2018
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 02-25-2018 - by Bastien
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 02-25-2018
Surveyor Name:Bastien
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-20-2017 - by MSchless
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-20-2017
Surveyor Name:MSchless
Camp Description:Didn't camp here. Just dropped down from Alamar to get water for the night and hike out the next morning. Good flowing water through the creek. Really nice little camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good flow through creek
Weather Conditions:70s
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-19-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 03-19-2017
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Camp in good shape.  Plenty of water.  Upper Bear seems to be getting more people camping at it than Bear or Lower Bear.  
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Upper Bear Camp Survey - 07-16-2016 - by jasonn beckstrand
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 07-16-2016
Surveyor Name:jasonn beckstrand
Camp Description:watch out lots of stinging nettles
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:steady flow next to camp
Weather Conditions:clear and 80
Images:

steady flow right at camp
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-21-2016 - by James Wapotich
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-21-2016
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:Good water at Upper Bear. No water at (Middle) Bear.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-15-2016 - by Jasonn Beckstrand
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-15-2016
Surveyor Name:Jasonn Beckstrand
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:good water for filtering
Weather Conditions:70
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-10-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-10-2016
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Beautiful camp, highly recommended.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Low 70's and perfect!
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 11-14-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 11-14-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Good water flow as usual at Upper Bear Camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Cold and sunny, upper 30's
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 09-26-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 09-26-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Good water flowing through Upper Bear Camp.  No water shortly below camp.  The camp continues to improve as the area recovers from the Zaca Fire.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Mid 80's and clear, cooler under the large trees
Images:

Stove at Upper Bear

Upper Bear Camp, Summer Style


Creek at Upper Bear
Upper Bear Camp Survey - 03-03-2015 - by Bryan Conant
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 03-03-2015
Surveyor Name:Bryan Conant
Camp Description:Good flowing water, plenty of firewood.  It was snowing and cold when I was there.  Very wild feeling camp.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:low 30's and snowing
Images:

Warm and dry



Upper Bear Camp Survey - 11-24-2014 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 11-24-2014
Surveyor Name:Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Spring next to camp has good water flow.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Upper Bear Camp Survey - 05-11-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Upper Bear Camp
Date: 05-11-2014
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:
Weather Conditions:

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Last Updated: Tuesday, January 5, 2016

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