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Potrero John Camp South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: Wheeler Springs
  • Elevation: 4400 feet
  • Wilderness Area: Sespe
  • County: Ventura County
  • Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.2691414
  • Latitude: 34.60194984
  • Water Sources: Water is seasonal from the creek.
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
01-26-2024bardleyFlowing
01-19-2022bardleyFlowing
08-21-2021Peter ParzialeFlowing
04-15-2021Hugh WarrenFlowing
01-09-2021Antonio CalderonFlowing
12-09-2020Dan WhelanFlowing
05-31-2020Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
04-25-2020Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
11-09-2019Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
10-05-2019Jasonn BeckstrandFlowing
01-07-2018Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
03-12-2017James WapotichFlowing
01-29-2017Mike MakiFlowing
04-17-2016Hiking VikingFlowing
11-14-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationTrickle
05-25-2015Dan WhelanFlowing
07-28-2014Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing

Description:

The camp and creek names were originally spelled "Jon" which was later anglicized to "'John". Named for Jon Power who was a man who lived in the area in the early 1900's. He used the area to pasture stock.
The camp is a little over 1 1/2 miles by trail up the canyon from Highway 33 on the Potrero John Trail (23W06).

Recent Uploads:

Survey Photos:


  • Hiking Viking - 04-17-2016

  • Mike Maki - 01-29-2017
    Some snow in camp.

  • Jasonn Beckstrand - 10-05-2019
    main camp

  • Jasonn Beckstrand - 10-05-2019
    Creek

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 04-25-2020

  • Anonymous Surveyor - 04-25-2020

  • Antonio Calderon - 01-09-2021

  • Antonio Calderon - 01-09-2021

  • Hugh Warren - 04-15-2021
    Potrero John Camp

  • Hugh Warren - 04-15-2021
    Sespe Wilderness boundary

  • bardley - 01-26-2024
    potrero john camp - rosie

Submitted Camp Reports

Potrero John Camp Survey - 01-26-2024 - by bardley
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 01-26-2024
Surveyor Name:bardley
Camp Description:potrero john camp remains in the same great condition as seen in earlier photos.  water flowing nearby.  easy to miss the turnoff.  turn right down the creek embankment.

numerous tent sites.  fire ring intact.  box grill / grate present.

although in the camp description it states the camp is in non-wilderness area, it is in fact within the sespe wilderness.  it also lies on the ojai ranger district.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:60s - 70s
Images:

potrero john camp - rosie
Potrero John Camp Survey - 01-19-2022 - by bardley
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 01-19-2022
Surveyor Name:bardley
Camp Description:potrero john camp remains in the same great condition as seen in earlier photos.  water flowing nearby.  easy to miss the turnoff.  look for a solitary oak tree and turn right down the creek embankment.

although in the camp description it states the camp is in non-wilderness area, it is in fact within the sespe wilderness.  it also lies on the ojai ranger district.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 08-21-2021 - by Peter Parziale
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 08-21-2021
Surveyor Name:Peter Parziale
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 04-15-2021 - by Hugh Warren
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 04-15-2021
Surveyor Name:Hugh Warren
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:About two gallons per minute, clear flow.
Weather Conditions:clear, sixties temperature, light breeze
Images:

Potrero John Camp

Sespe Wilderness boundary
Potrero John Camp Survey - 01-09-2021 - by Antonio Calderon
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 01-09-2021
Surveyor Name:Antonio Calderon
Camp Description:Camp is in fine shape with good water flow. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:75F sunny
Images:


Potrero John Camp Survey - 12-09-2020 - by Dan Whelan
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 12-09-2020
Surveyor Name:Dan Whelan
Camp Description:Good flow of water and the camp is in good shape 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Clear low 70s
Potrero John Camp Survey - 05-31-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 05-31-2020
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Great day hike. Multiple water crossings either rock hop or go right through for a refreshing treat to your feet. (if you don't mind hiking in wet boots). lost the trail a couple times but walked in the creek and found trail again pretty easily. Some areas still overgrown. Bring bug spray, lots of flying bugs and ants and ticks. Beautiful, quiet hike with only a couple other people. Snakes are out and lots of lizards.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:clear water, clean, multiple crossings
Weather Conditions:Low 80's
Potrero John Camp Survey - 04-25-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 04-25-2020
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:Great flow in the creek. Great way to beat the heat. Trail was hot but camp shade dropped temps significantly. Ticks are out and about in the grass 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:Sunny 85-90
Images:


Potrero John Camp Survey - 11-09-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 11-09-2019
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 10-05-2019 - by Jasonn Beckstrand
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 10-05-2019
Surveyor Name:Jasonn Beckstrand
Camp Description:
Camp is in great shape, clean, no trash around.  Also no signs of the fire pit being used.  Which is great because there are fire restrictions right now.

Best part is the creek is flowing the entire length of the trail.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Nice and clean
Weather Conditions:sunny and upper 70s
Images:

main camp

Creek
Potrero John Camp Survey - 01-07-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 01-07-2018
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Low flow, no swimming!
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 03-12-2017 - by James Wapotich
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 03-12-2017
Surveyor Name:James Wapotich
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Creek and falls flowing
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 01-29-2017 - by Mike Maki
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 01-29-2017
Surveyor Name:Mike Maki
Camp Description:Although we were not camping we stopped by the camp. A single camper had just arrived and was setting up camp. Camp looked in good shape.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Good flow due to winter rains. Some snow on the ground.
Weather Conditions:Clear, cool. 60's
Images:

Some snow in camp.
Potrero John Camp Survey - 04-17-2016 - by Hiking Viking
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 04-17-2016
Surveyor Name:Hiking Viking
Camp Description:Camp was in excellent shape with good fire pit and log seating. Plenty of space for multiple tents. We had four and could have easily fit 4 more.   Weather was perfect.  Cool but not cold night. Great place for a short getaway. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details: crossings no more than an inch to inch and half deep, easy to walk through with waterproof boots.
Weather Conditions:Morning temp was in low 50s F, day warmed to mid 80s by noon. Clear with occasional breeze.
Images:

Potrero John Camp Survey - 11-14-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 11-14-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Sharing information from the ORD Water Report
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 05-25-2015 - by Dan Whelan
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 05-25-2015
Surveyor Name:Dan Whelan
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:good flow
Weather Conditions:
Potrero John Camp Survey - 07-28-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Potrero John Camp
Date: 07-28-2014
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:No water below the camp but water at the camp and then up to the waterfall
Weather Conditions:

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Last Updated: Wednesday, June 1, 2022

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