Sisquoc Trail Upper - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 11.06 Miles

Submitted Trail Reports

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-20-2024 - by Erin Carroll

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-20-2024
Surveyor Name:	Erin Carroll
Trail description:	I have a lot of respect for Michael McGurk completing this entire trail earlier this year.  We wanted to make it up to Alamar from South Fork, but we only made it about 1 mile upstream of South Fork before we gave up.  We did see some brush trimmings after climbing up out of south fork, so someone has been trying to do a little work in that section. Then we crossed the river where we saw a pink flag, but no trail anywhere near the flag. We spent about 30 minutes in that location and then we hiked up a secondary stream bed and found the trail again. We crossed the river one more time and found the trail.  Then the crossing after that also had a flag but it was just nothing but overgrown poison oak and I didn't see any sign of the trail.  My legs are all red from the poison oak as I write this (and I was wearing long pants and long sleeve shirt). Even my dog got poison oak! I might have gone further up this trail if I was by myself  but I had my dog with me and my friend who was hiking with me didn't want to go further and I couldn't fault him for that decision. We turned around and hiked back to Nira instead of doing the bigger loop we had planned to do. Sometimes you have to know when to cut your losses and turn around.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Non existent
Condition details:	Needs a massive amount of work. Tons of poison oak.
Images:

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 03-11-2024 - by Michael McGurk

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	03-11-2024
Surveyor Name:	Michael McGurk
Trail description:	The trail is very rough from alamar saddle to halfway between lower bear and heath. it is flagged and easy to follow. there are numerous blowdowns and log jams. the worst section of the Sisqouc is from the Sisqouc falls drainage to .75 miles before South fork. Classic Los Padres Bushwack and backpacker tetris blowdowns. a lot of crawling through brush. Needs a lot of work and im not sure if walking the river would be faster.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 06-02-2023 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	06-02-2023
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	Be prepared to "Zion Narrows that sh-" because the trail is so overgrown and it was easier to follow by just waling up the river. Made it to Fall Cyn then turned back towards South Fork.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Very overgrown and difficult to follow.

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-26-2023 - by Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-26-2023
Surveyor Name:	Matt Inman - Ojai Valley School
Trail description:
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Tons of blown down limbs and fallen trees. Needs brushing but tread was decent away from river crossings. Requires route finding skills.

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-25-2023 - by Carl Pecvich

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-25-2023
Surveyor Name:	Carl Pecvich
Trail description:	We backpacked from Nira Campground to South Fork Campground in two days, arriving at the Upper Sisquoc Trail. From South Fork Campground, we day hiked to Sisquoc Falls the next day. We did the hike to Sisquoc Falls without our heavy packs, carrying only water and snacks and a few essentials. The round trip was six to seven miles but it took us most of the day to arrive back to our South Fork base camp, The reason it took us most of the day is because of the poor to nonexistent condition of the trail.The first half mile or so past South Fork Campground there is a faint but relatively easy to follow trail. As it nears the river, the trail becomes hard to follow, impassable, or nonexistent. We saw occasional trail signage, but passage was so difficult because of brush, fallen trees, and washouts, we spent a lot of time criss crossing the river and wading through the water to reach our destination.For the most part, the Sisquoc River was our trail. The tributary stream that goes to the falls has no trail and is a challenging scramble over boulders, and downed trees. The poor condition of the trail has deterred most hikers from entering this area. We saw no other hikers in our two days at South Fork. The sense of isolation was palpable.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 05-20-2022 - by Addison Jerlow

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	05-20-2022
Surveyor Name:	Addison Jerlow
Trail description:	Trail is in great shape from Mansfied to Alamar Saddle. As to be expected, some minor overgrown sections with poison oak along the creek, the worst about a mile downstream of Lower Bear. A few manageable downed trees below Lower Bear and through the meadow between Middle Bear and Upper Bear. Saw two bears!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-19-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-19-2021
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	4-day LPFA volunteer project focused on clearing downed trees and brush from Alamar Saddle down towards Heath Camp. All trees were cleared and brushing was accomplished as time allowed. Trail was in good shape - ready to ENJOY!
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 11-27-2021 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	11-27-2021
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	Trail in good shape. Near Alamar it is a little faint. There are a few brushy sections and some places where ducks are useful but overall it's in great shape. There was water in places all along the way. I did not see any water at Heath but someone was camped there so maybe there was a stagnant pool nearby, or maybe they got water from the creek where it was flowing. I saw no water at Skunk, but Skunk is a terrible campsite anyway. Otherwise, all the official campsites seemed to still have water all the way to South Fork, which also had water.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-28-2021 - by Ted Merrill

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-28-2021
Surveyor Name:	Ted Merrill
Trail description:	A lot of hard work by volunteers has gone into this trail... still the terrain makes for difficult hiking. Along the river, the trail has man rocks to manuever one's feet over. Between South Fork and Heath Camps, there are numerous river crossings and it is often hard to see where to go on the other side... I actually would like to see some bright targets on the opposing shores... this may be controversial. We were able to make all of the crossings by rock hopping. The tread was largely clear of fallen trees and impinging brush... thanks, volunteers! The slide area above Lower Bear Camp has been beautifully reinforced recently. One odd thing was regarding my maps on my phone app (osmand) which are based on Open Street Map. They had Skunk Camp off by a mile, Bear Camp identified as Lower Bear Camp, and Lower Bear Camp not on the map at all... I'll see if I can figure out how to get this changed on Open Street Map.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Frequent river crossings are often confusing

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-05-2021 - by Oak Titmouse

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-05-2021
Surveyor Name:	Oak Titmouse
Trail description:	Generally, the trail is in good shape.  I found it easy to follow.  There is a lot of deadfall between Heath and Lower Bear.  Navigation was still easy but it did slow me down.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 07-08-2020 - by Nathan Seaford

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	07-08-2020
Surveyor Name:	Nathan Seaford
Trail description:	Hard to follow at some points, non-existent at others. Fifty percent or more of this section of trail was completely overgrown.  Most of the river crossings are difficult to impossible to spot because the crossings are overgrown.  I tried to follow the trail to Skunk, but on the way back to South Fork (I only went towards Skunk to try to see the Falls) I found it much easier to walk in the river. Encountered a rattlesnake a mile East from South Fork.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	South Fork to Skunk Camp.

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 08-21-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	08-21-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA volunteer project focused on brushing and crosscut work between Alamar Saddle and Bear Camp along the Sisquoc Trail. Water at Upper Bear and Lower Bear, no water at Bear Camp
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 07-05-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	07-05-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA trail survey on July 5, 2019 to assess trail needs from Alamar Saddle down to Lower Bear.  Trail was in good shape down to Upper Bear and then rough shape down to Lower Bear with around 20+ downed trees, some major ceonothus tunnels, lack of trail tread and overall not much traffic along the trail to beat down the grasses and kick off the branches.  Lots of work needed and LPFA is planning major work along this stretch for late summer and early fall. - Water as usual at Upper Bear, never goes dry - Surprisingly water in the meadow at Bear Camp - Water along the Devils Slide, waterfalls and also at Lower Bear Camp
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:	This is the biggest downed tree located between Bear and Upper Bear Downed trees everywhere and more to come...... Bear Camp Bear Meadow Steep side slope and lack of tread just below Bear Camp and above the Devils Slide

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-21-2019 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-21-2019
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Fun YouTube video by "Over the Hills" showing a nice Upper Sisquoc Loop out of NIRA going up the Manzana to the Upper Sisquoc and back along Mission Pine and Big Cone Spruce.  Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_YOCauzD04&feature=youtu.be
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 10-15-2018 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	10-15-2018
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA and Student Conservation Association (SCA) partnered on a week long project doing tread work from Alamar Saddle down to Upper Bear.  The trail looks great along that top half mile. There was water at Upper Bear Camp and Lower Bear Camp - no water at Bear Camp.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-20-2018 - by Daniel J. Hall

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-20-2018
Surveyor Name:	Daniel J. Hall
Trail description:	From Sycamore Camp upstream to South Fork Station and on up to Buckhorn Road/Alamar Saddle: the trail is easy to follow; the tread generally good, but with some minor slides and rutting in places it normally occurs; many brushy sections, but the trail is still easy to see.   Those traveling by foot can easily find and hike the trail.  Sliding sections are just a reason to slow down and take extra care; obstructions from blowdowns are only a nuisance.  For stock, however, the section from Heath to Lower Bear is blocked by numerous blowdowns across the trail.  More detail in captioned photos at  http://tinyurl.com/y8xns6gz Good water flowing in the Sisquoc at all camps, but low enough to make for easy river crossings.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-22-2017 - by Mike Maki

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-22-2017
Surveyor Name:	Mike Maki
Trail description:	Covers entire trail from Alamar Saddle to South Fork. Trail is fair enough to follow but dozens of downed trees on the upper section. A small slide is a little difficult to get around just above Lower Bear Camp. Poison Oak present but avoidable. A bit west of Logan Cyn the trail crew that has been working out of South Fork Station has completed some great work. Great trail from there on into South Fork. I'll also note it's difficult to get a good view of Sisquoc Falls from the trail. At least I was unable to see anything but the very top. I should have researched it more to find a good viewing spot. Still a wonderful trail. I was solo and did not see anyone on this section. All pics from my Condor Section hike from Santa Barbara Cyn to Manzana and out to NIRA.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Dozens of downed trees in the upper section. Good trail work complete in the lower.
Images:	One of dozens slowing you down. One of the easier ones Not so fast... When the going gets good! It is a beautiful Trail

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 11-15-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	11-15-2016
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Report covers the Sisquoc Trail from South Fork to Cottonwood. No water at South Fork, first water is 30-40mins up towards Cottonwood.  There was water at Skunk.  No water between Skunk and Cottonwood.  There was water at Cottonwood.  27 downed trees between South Fork and Cottonwood. Report LGomes
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 04-09-2016 - by Sonia Connors

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	04-09-2016
Surveyor Name:	Sonia Connors
Trail description:	We hiked this trail from Heath Camp to South Fork Camp, camping at Skunk.  Spring was in full bloom with so many wild flowers!  Most of the river crossings were easy to find the trail on the other side - many marked with cairns or flagging.  Some had overgrown poison oak in the way.  The grass was knee to hip high in some places, and we continued down stream just looking for a little "U" among the grasses to see where the trail could be.  Although it seemed likely to miss the trail in these conditions, we were able to keep on it.  Just upstream from South Fork there is a section with many,  many downed Alders - really tough for our pup to get through, as her paws slipped through all the branches.  Saw one rattlesnake snoozing by the river when we were trying to find an alternate route past some poison oak.   Thank you to all of the people working so hard to keep this trail and the campsites in such great condition !!!
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:	Trail in the grass to the left of the giant burned out Oak trunk Trail camouflaged in short grasses Crossing between Skunk and South Fork Trail upstream from South Fork

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 07-12-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	07-12-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA 3-day trail project to clear the trail from Alamar Saddle down to Lower Bear.  We removed 20 trees, including one very large one that was causing a substantial reroute and erosion concerns.  We also spent a substantial amount of time clearing the trail through the ceonothus jungle just upstream from Bear Camp.  Trail is in good shape. Water was found at Upper Bear and Lower Bear, no water at Bear Camp.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	The big tree BEFORE The big tree DURING The big tree AFTER Some more cleared trees The trail project base camped at Alamar Camp

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 09-25-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	09-25-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA VWR Patrol to check on the work needed along the trail from Alamar Saddle down to Bear Meadow.  There were about 4 downed trees, nothing massive.  The work done by the earlier trail project was really good.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:	Rock water support along trail above Upper Bear Trail Corridor Downed Trees Downed Trees Downed Trees

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 10-04-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	10-04-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Trail in "relatively good shape" from Heath down to South Fork.  No slides or extreme obstacles to report. There is water just below Heath, at Cottonwood and at Skunk Camp.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 09-06-2015 - by LKasko

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	09-06-2015
Surveyor Name:	LKasko
Trail description:	We walked only a few miles, from Heath camp to Skunk camp. Just E of Skunk camp there was a washed-out dry crossing which, despite 2 plastics hung, was confusing. Closer to Mansfield than to Skunk, there was water at a stream crossing which went underground immediately both up and downstream. Near Mansfield, there was a downed tree on the E side of the river just before a dry stream crossing when headed W. E of Mansfield, from the high bluff above the river, I could see water below.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	downed tree near Mansfield E of Mansfield, water below

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 06-07-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	06-07-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	VWR PATROL We hiked from Alamar Saddle to Lower Bear Camp. We encountered about a dozen trees down across the trail and very thick ceanothus in the meadow near Middle Bear. There is a hazard tree located near the top of the switchbacks leading down to Lower Bear. Portions of the switchbacks between Middle and Lower Bear need tread work. The waterfalls near Lower Bear has some water flowing.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:	Downed trees and waterfalls, Jenkins

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 03-02-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	03-02-2015
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Hiked the Sisquoc Trai from Mansfield to Alamar Saddlel as part of a LPFA trail patrol and recon for future trail projects.  The trail is very followable but there are quite a few downed trees to deal with.  More information at the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/112621029507944014457/UpperSisquocDownedTreesMarch2015#
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 02-27-2015 - by Steve Cypher

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	02-27-2015
Surveyor Name:	Steve Cypher
Trail description:	I hiked the Lower Sisquoc Loop 2/27/15 – 3/1/15. Heading upstream from Manzana Schoolhouse the trail becomes faint quickly. There is a lot of brush that needs to be cut back, and fresh, flourishing vegetation in the tread made it faint. There are several places where the original trail followed an old road bed up the sides of the valley – these are becoming very faint and sketchy in places where the trail traverses steep hillsides. It appears most of what little foot traffic this route gets follows social trails along the riverbed. These social paths disappear at each crossing, and sometimes exist on both sides of the river. Remnants of old pieces of flagging tape are more obvious than trail tread in many places. The trail is just too long and remote to conduct effective volunteer maintenance projects. That said, I really love this hike because the route is so beautiful and remote. There are great places to camp all along. The Sisquoc is dry at the Schoolhouse, but was flowing well just below Water Canyon Camp. I stayed at Miller Canyon Base the first night and South Fork Station the second. The trail is easy to follow east of Sycamore Camp, but still rough and sketchy in spots.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Hard to follow
Condition details:	Trail is faint due to lack of use & maintenance.

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 05-11-2013 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	05-11-2013
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	- Trail was in good shape but there are about a dozen downed trees from Alamar down to South Fork.  - Saw a bear at Lower Bear Camp - 4 rattlers along the trail - Water at Upper Bear - None at Bear - Water at Lower Bear - Water along the trail and camps the rest of the way from Lower Bear to South Fork Information gathered by James Wapotich as part of a VWR Patrol.  Visit James' blog at: http://songsofthewilderness.wordpress.com/
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Number of trees down:	12
People Seen:	0

Sisquoc Trail Upper Survey - 05-25-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Sisquoc Trail Upper
Date:	05-25-2014
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Manzana School House to Lorna No water until close to Lorna where it turns into sparse water, mainly standing pools trail in good condition   Lorna to Cliff No water except standing pool at Cliff Trail was navigable if followed flagging markers; more difficult route finding as flag markers were not always visible from the marker before   Cliff to Sycamore* Minimal water but got better the closer to Sycamore Trail difficult to navigate as markers were scarce via trail on map; another trail that was not on map was better with markers, yet still hard to navigate.  Most difficult section en route   Sycamore to South Fork* Water was reliable Trail was well traveled and straight forward--easy to navigate   South Fork to Mansfield* Water was reliable Trail was easy to navigate   Mansfield to Heath* Water was reliable Trail was easy to navigate
Mode of transport:	Hike

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