Santa Cruz Camp South Los Padres National Forest

Submitted Camp Reports

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 10-30-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	10-30-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	No water around camp. Stagnant sulfur smelling seep down below crossing- would not drink this. Rain please.
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 11-25-2021 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	11-25-2021
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Camp Description:	There were stagnant pools. You could drink this water with filtration or treatment. It was very cold down there and some of the pools had ice on them.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	Frozen and stagnant
Weather Conditions:	Cold, clear and dry

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 10-09-2021 - by Matt Daily

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	10-09-2021
Surveyor Name:	Matt Daily
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 08-17-2021 - by LPFA

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	08-17-2021
Surveyor Name:	LPFA
Camp Description:	Fire restrictions in place - NO campfires, charcoal bbques or stoves allowed. All campsites at Santa Cruz are NOT on the Forest Service list of "Designated Campfire Use Sites": https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/home/?cid=stelprdb5401877 We do not recommend going there due to extreme drought (and fire) conditions. Wait until we get some rain, hopefully this fall.
Water Source:	Dry
Water Source Details:	The worst drought we've ever seen... no water.
Weather Conditions:	Very hot and very dry.
Images:	Santa Cruz Creek drying up.

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-23-2021 - by Surly One

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-23-2021
Surveyor Name:	Surly One
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	High 60s

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 07-25-2020 - by James G.

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	07-25-2020
Surveyor Name:	James G.
Camp Description:	We hiked into camp from Upper Oso via the forestry road and stayed in camp for one night. The creek was flowing and we saw fresh bear tracks where the forestry road crosses the creek. Coyotes visited our camp during the night. Hiked out via the Santa Cruz trial to Happy Hollow and back down the forestry road. The trail was severely overgrown past the 40-mile wall with lots of washed out sections ascending to Happy Hollow.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	~85*F

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 06-25-2020 - by Josh Stichter

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	06-25-2020
Surveyor Name:	Josh Stichter
Camp Description:	LPFA Work Day: Beautiful day cleaning up the camp, taping the fire rings (fire restrictions are in force) and repairing some damage on the ranger station.  I also spent a half day clearing buckhorn road of brush to help Minimize the vehicle pinstriping. Note that Santa Cruz Jeep Way is in excellent condition but the brush does encroach on a my 4Runner. Plenty clear/wide for mules, horses.  Santa Cruz Station our toilet is clean and in good working order As well.  Flowing water with many swimming holes above and below the camp, best accessed by walking up the river. Water was about 75* F. We journeyed about the camp to the falls and they were beautiful and flowing well. Noticed some fresh bear tracks, saw a deer, and a few racer snakes (no rattlers).Â
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	85*F and Clear
Images:	Santa Cruz Station Lots of water just behind camp Falls Flowing LPFA on the job

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 06-19-2020 - by Surly one

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	06-19-2020
Surveyor Name:	Surly one
Camp Description:	Overnight trip from Upper Oso to Santa Cruz camp. Traveled by bicycle via Buckhorn road and the Santa Cruz jeep rd. After squeezing through the Santa Cruz gate there is a steep climb/ push before the very long descent to Santa Cruz camp.. The camp is beautiful, oaks, Santa Cruz creek the old Guard station and apparently little used (most sites are a little overgrown) VERY tough climb/push back up the jeep road!
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	High seventies daytime

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 10-06-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	10-06-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	LPFA volunteers spent the weekend cleaning out the cabin at Santa Cruz.  There’s a little water and still a bit of flow. It’s super dry all around. We cleaned both days: swept, mopped, cobwebbed, windows, screens, counters, stove top, rafters, porch, tables. Painted the tables and stairs front and back; painted all the bear scratches.  Took out a full bed of trash and extra stuff including. 3 of the 5 coffee pots, 2 of the 3 trash cans inside, old cots, 2 of the 4 sleeping bags. The floor needs to be painted and walls too. Brought out an empty propane tank.  The oak tree above the cabin is a little scary looking too.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	perfect
Images:	In the process of cleaning

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 08-30-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	08-30-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	LPFA volunteers once again visited Santa Cruz Station to help repair and paint the cabin.  Nice water in the creek but unfortunately some fresh bear damage on the front porch (again)! The Santa Cruz Trail from Upper Oso is in really bad shape still.  Some people are making it but most are turning around.  The safest way to get to the cabin would be to ride or hike up the Buckhorn and then down the Santa Cruz Jeepway.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:	HOT and dry
Images:	Water in the creek Bear teeth on the front porch

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 05-12-2019 - by Bingo Wathen

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	05-12-2019
Surveyor Name:	Bingo Wathen
Camp Description:	Entire Santa Cruz Trail is in poor conditions. Dropped down from Mission Pine Basin to Santa Cruz Station and trail is very overgrown with lots of poison oak. Decided to take the jeep trail to Upper Oso from Santa Cruz as all reports indicated the trail over Little Pine was sketchy and washed out. Signs at Upper Oso say the trail is closed and impassable.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Santa Cruz Creek looking like the Kern
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 02-28-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	02-28-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Per usual, Santa Cruz was in good shape and a nice special place to visit.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	The creek was ripping, no way to get across without being knee+ deep.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 12-12-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	12-12-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Good water flowing through Santa Cruz Creek.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 11-25-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	11-25-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	There is NO running water in SC creek at the station; only puddles.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 06-17-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	06-17-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Santa Cruz Camp is not seeing the usual amount of traffic due to the Rey Fire damage along the Santa Cruz Trail.  As a result t's a bit more overgrown than usual.   LPFA VWR project was at Santa Cruz June 16th weekend to work on the outhouse, clean the cabin and clear away some of the brush around the cabin.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water flowing above and through camp. Nice pools at the usual spots.
Weather Conditions:
Images:	photo Humphrey photo Humphrey photo Humphrey

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 06-16-2018 - by Valerie Norton

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	06-16-2018
Surveyor Name:	Valerie Norton
Camp Description:	Hiked up via the road. (Miserable roller coaster hike in, but it could be worse, could be a long land slide steep slog with plants grabbing liberally trying to trip you like the trail.)Volunteers were up to move the toilet (and maybe more) so that's got loads of room now. It's next to the road on the way in, so you can't miss it. Unless you take the trail. Lots of sites, lots of tables, lots of stoves, lots of room. Should have stayed an extra day to explore the creek. Did get up to the peak which is what was planned.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	HUGE, at least for around here
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 05-20-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	05-20-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	VWR project to Santa Cruz Station to clear fire hazards from around the cabin and cleanup the campsites.  Water was flowing great through the creek and the camps and cabin were in fair shape.  There are some hazard trees that need to be cleared and the outhouse is full.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 01-14-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	01-14-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	VWR patrol to Santa Cruz Station.  Good water in the creek.  A large dead oak fell behind the Cabin crushing some of the back camping area.  The road is in good shape down to the Cabin from the Buckhorn.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water flowing good.
Weather Conditions:	Perfectamundo! Especially for January.
Images:	Photo Wathne

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 11-20-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	11-20-2017
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	VWR patrol down to Santa Cruz Station.  The hike was doable but sketchy in the Rey Fire burned areas, in particular the section just north of Alexander Saddle, now named the Legolas section as it requires elf like quickness to skirt across the scree fields.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water flowing at Santa Cruz Station
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-22-2017 - by James Wapotich

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-22-2017
Surveyor Name:	James Wapotich
Camp Description:	Great water flowing in Santa Cruz Creek. Santa Cruz Falls are the best they've been in years.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Images:	Santa Cruz Falls

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 06-11-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	06-11-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Not a whole lot of water, but there is some.
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 05-29-2016 - by James

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	05-29-2016
Surveyor Name:	James
Camp Description:	Crowded camp during memorial day weekend.  Creek was flowing nicely.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Creek is flowing
Weather Conditions:	70s & sunny.

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-25-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-25-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Water flowing across the road and at the trail. The flow is not very deep but better than last year at this time. Don’t think there will be enough water for stock this summer.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-23-2016 - by John Deacon

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-23-2016
Surveyor Name:	John Deacon
Camp Description:	Nice camp with plenty of sites and tables
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	About 1 foot deep
Weather Conditions:	Clear, H 70, L 38
Images:	Santa Cruz Creek

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-15-2016 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-15-2016
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Campsite in great shape. Horse sheds stocked with hay. River was flowing and clean
Weather Conditions:	Sunny. 60-deg

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-11-2016 - by James Wapotich

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-11-2016
Surveyor Name:	James Wapotich
Camp Description:	Good water at Santa Cruz Camp. Santa Cruz Falls is flowing, but after 4 years of drought is not all that impressive
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 02-27-2016 - by brenner

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	02-27-2016
Surveyor Name:	brenner
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Knee deep pools in some places. Clear, cold and flowing.
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 01-02-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	01-02-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Report from Susie T: Basically none in Santa Cruz Creek. There were some puddles but no running water. No one at the camp.
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 11-22-2015 - by Trace Richardson

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	11-22-2015
Surveyor Name:	Trace Richardson
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Trickle
Water Source Details:	Most pools were stagnant, but found one pool that had a very small trickle.
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 05-24-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	05-24-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:	Still water at both the trail and road crossing but it's not flowing too much.  No pools.  The camp was very busy with mtn bikers and hikers.  Trail was in good shape to Santa Cruz other than the usual slides on the front of Little Pine.  Still wildflowers blooming.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 05-11-2015 - by Jeff B.

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	05-11-2015
Surveyor Name:	Jeff B.
Camp Description:	Camp is in great shape; great water and very clean.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Excellent water flow in the creek.
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-25-2015 - by Jasper

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-25-2015
Surveyor Name:	Jasper
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water at crossing into camp - cool/clear/flowing.
Weather Conditions:
Images:	looking upstream at Santa Cruz crossing looking downstream at Santa Cruz crossing Nice campsite

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 04-01-2015 - by Shaddus Maximus

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	04-01-2015
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Good water in the creek!
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 02-06-2015 - by Curt Cragg

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	02-06-2015
Surveyor Name:	Curt Cragg
Camp Description:	Campsites were in excellent condition with nice green grass around the camp.  This camp has plenty of nice picnic tables and a great fire ring/stove.
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:	Water is 3-4" deep and flowing in the creek.
Weather Conditions:	Clear 70's
Images:	Water flowing at creek. Looks muddy in photo, but water is clear. Green pasture

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 01-10-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	01-10-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:

Santa Cruz Camp Survey - 12-07-2014 - by Heather Rose

Link:	Santa Cruz Camp
Date:	12-07-2014
Surveyor Name:	Heather Rose
Camp Description:
Water Source:	Stagnant
Water Source Details:	River, after 1st big rain.
Weather Conditions:

Leave A Camp Report

Survey / Report Form