Use Marker Groups Wolf 2002
Piru 2003
Day 2006
Zaca 2007
Gap 2008
La Brea 2009
Bill Faris Camp South Los Padres National Forest
- Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
- Topo Map Link: Malduce Peak
- Elevation: 4200 feet
- Wilderness Area: Dick Smith
- County: Santa Barbara County
- Ranger District: Santa Barbara Ranger District
- Longitude: -119.598874
- Latitude: 34.68115719
- Water Sources: Water is available seasonally in creek
- Length of Stay: 14 Days
- Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp
Recent Water Reports:
| Date | Surveyor | Water Report |
| 04-25-2022 | Ojai Valley School Lower Campus | Trickle |
| 02-24-2021 | Los Padres Forest Association | Dry |
| 06-08-2018 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 05-13-2018 | Los Padres Forest Association | Flowing |
| 03-28-2018 | Shaddus Maximus | Flowing |
| 03-18-2018 | Los Padres Forest Association | Dry |
| 05-29-2016 | Los Padres Forest Association | Dry |
| 03-01-2016 | Los Padres Forest Association | Dry |
Description:
Bill Faris is a small camp on Alamar Creek between Alamar Saddle and Dutch Oven. There are about 5 icecan stoves in camp. The camp used to be pretty nice but after the Zaca Fire the huge pine tree in camp died and has since become a hazard to the camp. Most people are now camping in the small meadow above the camp. Until the trail is cleared, there won't be many people camping here.
Ray’s Notes
Jim Blakley Notes
Established in 1962 by the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow in memory of William L.. Faris who was an outstanding teacher and Boy Scout leader. The Forest Service wanted to do away with a hunting camp on Alamar Creek called Skunk Camp. It was so named because of the stink from entrails left around the site. The Forest Service told the Boy Scouts to substitute Bill Faris for the abandoned Skunk Camp.
Bob Burtness Notes
Administration: Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara District
Access: This camp is located about 2 miles below the locked Buckhorn Road (9N 11) via the Alamar Trail (26WO6).
U.S. Forest Service map coordinates: L- 17
Topographical map: Madulce Peak
Elevation: 4,200 feet (1,280 meters)
Terrain: canyon
Vegetation: chaparral, oaks
Tables: I (since burned) Stoves: 2 (ice can)
Special Features: There is a fine view of Madulce Peak.
Historical Highlights: In 1962 this campsite was dedicated to the memory of William L. Faris, a Santa Barbara resident who, during his short life, was an outstanding teacher and scout leader.
Survey Photos:
Los Padres Forest Association - 03-01-2016
Looking up-canyon towards Bill Faris, you used to see it by the pine tree, which is now dead and half fallen
Los Padres Forest Association - 03-01-2016
The indestructible Bill Faris sign. The big pine fell right on it without so much as a scratch.
Los Padres Forest Association - 03-01-2016
The old camp location, which is great if you like sleeping under hazard trees
Los Padres Forest Association - 03-01-2016
And the new camp location, you can see the sign and dead tree in the background
Los Padres Forest Association - 05-29-2016
Los Padres Forest Association - 05-29-2016
Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2018
The camp in the potrero with icecan stoves.
Los Padres Forest Association - 06-08-2018
Submitted Camp Reports
Bill Faris Camp Survey - 04-25-2022 - by Ojai Valley School Lower CampusLink: Bill Faris Camp Date: 04-25-2022 Surveyor Name: Ojai Valley School Lower Campus Camp Description: Water Source: Trickle Water Source Details: Large site with little shade, creek looks seasonal and was barely flowing. Trail in tough shape... intense brush and crawling to get here. Weather Conditions: - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 02-24-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 02-24-2021 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: 2020-2021 was a dry winter and we couldn't see any water directly around Bill Faris Camp but we could hear it downstream where the creek turns. You can always hear it down there but it's not always easy to get to. Bill Faris remains seldom used and up in the meadow a ways from where it used to be within the trees. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 06-08-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 06-08-2018 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Camp continues to be in the meadow rather than under the dead trees. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Water Flowing Weather Conditions: Images: - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 05-13-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 05-13-2018 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Report from LPFA trail crew who was working along the Alamar Trail. Good water flowing at Bill Faris Camp. Camp did not look like its been used in a long time. Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 03-28-2018 - by Shaddus Maximus
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 03-28-2018 Surveyor Name: Shaddus Maximus Camp Description: Water Source: Flowing Water Source Details: Weather Conditions: - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 03-18-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 03-18-2018 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Camp has moved into the nearby potrero and as the photo shows does not see much use. Trail above here is very passable, trail below remains a difficult bushwhack. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: No easily found water at Bill Faris. Weather Conditions: Images:
The camp in the potrero with icecan stoves. - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 05-29-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 05-29-2016 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: Due to a hazard pine tree explosion that destroyed the main camp, the camp has been moved up to the small meadow above the sign. Â It remains seldom visited but that should change as the trail was worked from Alamar Saddle down to Bill Faris and is now in very good shape. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: No water at Bill Faris. You could hear it further down the canyon but it's a hard push to get to where the water is. Weather Conditions: Images: - Bill Faris Camp Survey - 03-01-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Bill Faris Camp Date: 03-01-2016 Surveyor Name: Los Padres Forest Association Camp Description: The camp at Bill Faris has been moved out from under the dead pine and into the nearby meadow, which is a good thing. Â No water in the creek. Â It is currently very hard to get to Bill Faris. Â You will bleed getting here but the views are fantastic and it's wild WILD WILD. Water Source: Dry Water Source Details: Had to scramble down the creek about 1/4mile to find a puddle, it sucked but was wet. Weather Conditions: Low 80's in the day, high 40's at night. Images:
Looking up-canyon towards Bill Faris, you used to see it by the pine tree, which is now dead and half fallen
The indestructible Bill Faris sign. The big pine fell right on it without so much as a scratch.
The old camp location, which is great if you like sleeping under hazard trees
And the new camp location, you can see the sign and dead tree in the background
Leave A Camp Report
Survey / Report Form Last Updated: Tuesday, March 1, 2016
