Cienega South Camp South Los Padres National Forest

Submitted Camp Reports

Cienega South Camp Survey - 06-12-2022 - by Braulio Aguilera

Link:	Cienega South Camp
Date:	06-12-2022
Surveyor Name:	Braulio Aguilera
Camp Description:	Trail is in poor condition and overgrown. Someone or something took down the orange tags near the turnoff that leads you up the hill climb to the camp. Lots of signs of bears, tracks all along the canyon. We ran into someone who said their was a mother bear and her cub at the camp, but we never got visual confirmation. Some animal came back at night but we scared it off. Please exercise caution if you plan on visiting.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Decent amount of water flowing out of the springs
Weather Conditions:	Warm. Huh 80s

Cienega South Camp Survey - 03-06-2022 - by Braulio Aguilera

Link:	Cienega South Camp
Date:	03-06-2022
Surveyor Name:	Braulio Aguilera
Camp Description:	Challenging hike coming in from east fork trail but well worth. Towards the end you’ll see orange tags, follow those. The turnoff to leave east fork is to the right coming in, follow the creek bed until you spot either the tags or the cairn.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good flow from several sources near camp
Weather Conditions:

Cienega South Camp Survey - 12-12-2021 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Cienega South Camp
Date:	12-12-2021
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Just hiked into Cienega. This is a 10-12 hour roundtrip hike. Downfall and signs of the Thomas Fire all the way up the East Fork. Residual trail visible occasionally but it is 85% gone. Takes about half a day with day packs if you are moving fast to get to the point where an actual trail leaves the creek. There is 3-4' deep "jungle" where the trail breaks out of the creek bed for the final ascent that is covered with vines. We found the trail eventually, put some foot prints on it, and cleared a path from the creek to the base of the slope. No signs of recent visitors... other than bears who are using the trail to get down to the creek. There are several points between the creek and the camp where the original route has been abandoned for a more direct line. It was a beautiful day with snow, frost, and ice in the eastern end of the valley, daytime temps 30-40 degrees, warmer when we got back down toward the Lower Punch Bowl, which was completely silted in.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Water quickly flows underground on the hillside and emerges about 100 yards downstream from the point where the trail joins/departs the East Fork.
Weather Conditions:	Clear and cool.

Cienega South Camp Survey - 09-20-2019 - by Christopher P. Lord

Link:	Cienega South Camp
Date:	09-20-2019
Surveyor Name:	Christopher P. Lord
Camp Description:	Spent a dreamy weekend here at the king of backcountry Camps. Springs along the edges of the site are all flowing with clear, cool water. Site amenities include 17 foot picnic table, stone adjustable height BBQ pit, large fire ring with optional steel tripod stand and plenty of solid makeshift benches for seating. The ice can stoves are weathered and on their last leg. The enormous sized flat is fully shaded by large oaks. Dropping down from SP Peak Timber Cyn 20W16 is good to start but eventually turns ugly with some serious washouts, use caution if coming from that direction. The East Fork may be your best bet, lots of boulder hopping but still plenty of sections of trail to find along the way. Follow the pink flagging all the way to camp. Camp Coordinates: N34° 26' 53.5" W119° 00' 59.9" If your travelling up the East Fork make sure to exit the creek Here: N34° 26' 49.5" W119° 01' 35.4" To begin the climb toward Cienega. A lot more detail can be found at the link below.  https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2019/09/cienega-bluff-camps.html
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	Mid 80's
Images:	Main Camp overview Picnic table BBQ pit secondary site

Cienega South Camp Survey - 04-07-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Cienega South Camp
Date:	04-07-2019
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:	Camp mostly survived the fire. Long table, 1 bench, bbq, and fire pit still present. Most of the trees in the campsite are fine.  The trail over Santa Paula peak is NOT in good condition, many slides, and should only be considered if you're willing to cut in steps yourself.Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Incredible amount of water
Weather Conditions:

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