Upper Matilija Camp South Los Padres National Forest

Submitted Camp Reports

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 05-24-2020 - by Adventure Guide

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	05-24-2020
Surveyor Name:	Adventure Guide
Camp Description:	Upper Matilija Camp is completely washed out. Some regulars on the trail said they had bad fires and bad floods the last few years. 6 years ago when I traveled to this camp it was amazing. This trip was far from it. We actually hiked past the camp site, not being able to recognize it. The last 2 miles to get to the camp site are completely overgrown and hard to travel. Watch out for rattle snakes. We saw 6 in 2 days. Some hikers ahead of us let us know that maple camp was washed out as well.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Reliable
Weather Conditions:	high 74 - low 54

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 12-29-2019 - by Christopher P. Lord

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	12-29-2019
Surveyor Name:	Christopher P. Lord
Camp Description:	MAP LOCATION AND CAMP COORDINATES FOR THIS SITE ARE WRONG. DON'T BOTHER LOOKING FOR THE CAMP HERE YOU WON'T FIND IT. Pick up a copy of Bryan Conant's Matilija and Dick Smith Wilderness Map for a better understanding of the actual location. Camp is said to have been washed out and covered in fallen trees. Supposedly only a sign post remains. I wouldn't know that first hand though because I was searching in the location noted here on Hike Los Padres. Happy New YearsÂ
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 02-16-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	02-16-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Sadly, Upper Matilija is in need of some serious love..... A large tree fell across the firepit and a washout has covered the upper part of the camp.  I think it'll be a while until this camp is used again as there are other nearby spots that are far more attractive. Water was raging in the creek with the easier crossings at the camp being mid shin high.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Flowing large and in charge after all the recent storms!
Weather Conditions:	Cold, breezy, brief snow flurries followed by sun
Images:	View across, looking upstream, towards Upper Matilija Camp. The camp is on the downed tree on the right. The firepit is under the downed bay tree, with the washout material covering the backside of it.

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 11-11-2017 - by Oh Three

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	11-11-2017
Surveyor Name:	Oh Three
Camp Description:	We just took a break here. It would be a great overnight camp. Easy to reach from the north, and far enough from the south that you'll leave all the other day trippers behind. Plenty of water. In fact, there's a nice mini-waterfall over a rock that made filling my gravity filter bag quite easy. It's not located quite where trail guides say it is, but ... as they say, you can't miss it. There are some "gypsy" camps between Maple and this Upper, where there's one site and a rock fire ring. Ignore them. This site has the antique "icecan" fireplace to let you know you're at the right site. And it's much bigger than any of the outlaw sites. You could put 15+ people here, packed a little tight.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 03-04-2017 - by Craig R. Carey

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	03-04-2017
Surveyor Name:	Craig R. Carey
Camp Description:	The intrepid mountain men of Boy Scout Troop 111 (Ventura) backpacked the length of the Upper North Fork (from Cherry Creek Road at Hwy 33 to lower Matilija TH) Friday 3/3 to Sunday 3/5. Upper Matilija camp in great shape (and green!); boys spent their lunch break here. Some shale debris actually helped clear out the brush that was encroaching. Great water.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Fast and clear!
Weather Conditions:	Cool; high clouds.
Images:

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 10-17-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	10-17-2016
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	enough water to filter. camp is a little small but still very nice
Weather Conditions:

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 08-15-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	08-15-2016
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Barely a trickle at camp. Flowing at at least 3 creek crossings between middle and upper camp. Might want to carry water up from a lower crossing.
Weather Conditions:

Upper Matilija Camp Survey - 01-17-2016 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Upper Matilija Camp
Date:	01-17-2016
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

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