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Three Mile Camp South Los Padres National Forest

  • Camp Type: Wilderness Trail Camp
  • Topo Map Link: Lion Canyon
  • Elevation: 5900 feet
  • Wilderness Area: Sespe
  • County: Ventura County
  • Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District
  • Longitude: -119.2042483
  • Latitude: 34.62317844
  • Water Sources: Mostly reliable Piedra Blanca Creek, although it does dry up during the height of summer during dry years
  • Length of Stay: 14 Days
  • Reservations: Wilderness Trail Camp

Recent Water Reports:

Date Surveyor Water Report
05-13-2023Emma GonzalezFlowing
07-04-2022Marin SigurdsonStagnant
06-14-2022Paul CronshawFlowing
04-20-2022Doug edwardsFlowing
10-09-2021Adam DonaldDry
10-31-2020Kirsten ZecherTrickle
06-28-2020Erin Swenson-HealeyFlowing
05-04-2020Addison JerlowFlowing
04-18-2020Jonathan RocqueFlowing
07-03-2019Anonymous SurveyorFlowing
05-27-2019Louis TremblayFlowing
04-04-2018bardleyFlowing
11-18-2017Chris PechousFlowing
09-30-2017Los Padres Forest AssociationDry
09-06-2017Kevin HDry
06-29-2017larry frassoldatiFlowing
06-26-2017Craig R. CareyTrickle
05-25-2017bardleyFlowing
06-16-2016Los Padres Forest AssociationTrickle
04-25-2016Scott WilliamsTrickle
04-14-2016Doug ThomasFlowing
01-02-2016MightyMFlowing
08-13-2015Yamato SekiDry
05-16-2015Jeremiah SwiderTrickle
05-09-2015Arnold LevinFlowing
04-03-2015NOrman93001Flowing
03-22-2015Los Padres Forest AssociationFlowing
02-14-2015Aaron and Tom SongerFlowing
11-15-2014John SpiegelDry

Description:

What exactly is this three miles from?  That is the question.....

Three Mile Camp is set amongst lovely cedar trees along the Gene Marshall - Piedra Blanca Trail.  This camp can be covered in snow during the winter.  It's also a nice cool refuge during the summer months, if you can get here. Three Mile probably sees less action than it's nearby campsites.  It has a table, some old fire rings and a classic old Forest Service sign.

Recent Uploads:

Survey Photos:


  • Aaron and Tom Songer - 02-14-2015
    Three Mile Campground

  • Aaron and Tom Songer - 02-14-2015
    Piedra Blanca Creek

  • Arnold Levin - 05-09-2015
    Fire Pit and nice shade around.

  • Arnold Levin - 05-09-2015
    Picnic Bench- signs surrounding tree

  • Arnold Levin - 05-09-2015
    Water just North of the campsite.

  • Jeremiah Swider - 05-16-2015
    fire ring and table

  • Jeremiah Swider - 05-16-2015
    space for tents

  • Scott Williams - 04-25-2016

  • Craig R. Carey - 06-26-2017

  • Craig R. Carey - 06-26-2017

  • Jonathan Rocque - 04-18-2020
    Snow in the middle of camp

  • Jonathan Rocque - 04-18-2020
    Left no trace with a landmark

  • Erin Swenson-Healey - 06-28-2020

  • Erin Swenson-Healey - 06-28-2020

  • Doug edwards - 04-20-2022

  • Doug edwards - 04-20-2022

  • Paul Cronshaw - 06-14-2022
    Main campsite

  • Paul Cronshaw - 06-14-2022
    Campsite #2 fire ring

  • Paul Cronshaw - 06-14-2022
    Missing campsign

  • Paul Cronshaw - 06-14-2022
    One of the multiple pools in creek at main campsite

  • Paul Cronshaw - 06-14-2022
    Bear's scratching log

  • Emma Gonzalez - 05-13-2023
    Bear Trap Camp

  • Emma Gonzalez - 05-13-2023
    Bear Trap Camp, larger site.

  • Emma Gonzalez - 05-13-2023
    Haddock, first camp site.

  • Emma Gonzalez - 05-13-2023
    Plenty of water

Submitted Camp Reports

Three Mile Camp Survey - 05-13-2023 - by Emma Gonzalez
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 05-13-2023
Surveyor Name:Emma Gonzalez
Camp Description:A beautiful 3 day trip from Reyes Creek to Three Mile campsite. The first day we went to Bear Trap, then the next morning climbed to the top of Bear Trap Bluff for some spectacular views, trail not too bad. The second day on to Haddock and Three Mile Camp. The trail from Haddock to Three Mile is pretty bad, many fallen trees and debris to climb over. Particularly where the trail runs parallel to the creek and the high water has washed branches and trees to a high water line.
The creek crossings were all passable without getting wet (rock hopping) even though the creek still had a lot of water. Plenty of deep pools for swimming.
Perfect weather, plenty of shade, few other people.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:All creek crossing were flowing well, definitely deep enough in spots for a good swim, not too cold either.
Weather Conditions:Sunny with a few clouds, high 73, low 43
Images:

Bear Trap Camp

Bear Trap Camp, larger site.


Haddock, first camp site.

Plenty of water
Three Mile Camp Survey - 07-04-2022 - by Marin Sigurdson
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 07-04-2022
Surveyor Name:Marin Sigurdson
Camp Description:A couple very shallow stagnant pools at the camp, may be gone in a couple days. For a better source, there is a trickle ~1.5 mi upstream towards Haddock, camp, where the trail crosses the stream.  
Water Source:Stagnant
Water Source Details:shallow stagnant pool may be gone in a couple days
Weather Conditions:70's
Three Mile Camp Survey - 06-14-2022 - by Paul Cronshaw
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 06-14-2022
Surveyor Name:Paul Cronshaw
Camp Description:This is a small camp with two fire rings. The main campsite has a table and metal container. Campsite #2 appears to be unused. There is a leaner log that a bear is using to sharpen its claws.The sign post needs a new camp sign, a fire shovel and rake.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Multiple pools of non-mossy water at campsite.
Weather Conditions:Lower 80s and Sunny with some wind
Images:

Main campsite

Campsite #2 fire ring


Missing campsign

One of the multiple pools in creek at main campsite


Bear's scratching log
Three Mile Camp Survey - 04-20-2022 - by Doug edwards
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 04-20-2022
Surveyor Name:Doug edwards
Camp Description:The camp has a large tree across 2 of the camp sites, but still plenty of room for a couple tents. There is also table and burn barrel with a lid. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Plenty of water
Weather Conditions:
Images:


Three Mile Camp Survey - 10-09-2021 - by Adam Donald
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 10-09-2021
Surveyor Name:Adam Donald
Camp Description:Having a picnic table that far into the backcountry is great.  There is a short section to the south where the trail is hard to find.
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 10-31-2020 - by Kirsten Zecher
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 10-31-2020
Surveyor Name:Kirsten Zecher
Camp Description:Perfect 70 degree temps.
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 06-28-2020 - by Erin Swenson-Healey
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 06-28-2020
Surveyor Name:Erin Swenson-Healey
Camp Description:Required a bit of bushwhacking to get to from Pine Mountain Lodge. We lost the trail a couple of times and needed to consult the trusty GPS (which felt like cheating - but hey, it's 2020!). Three Mile Camp had a table and a nice, flat, open area where you could fit a couple of tents.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:4-6" depth. not flowing fast - but flowing!
Weather Conditions:75F and sunny
Images:


Three Mile Camp Survey - 05-04-2020 - by Addison Jerlow
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 05-04-2020
Surveyor Name:Addison Jerlow
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:great flow
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 04-18-2020 - by Jonathan Rocque
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 04-18-2020
Surveyor Name:Jonathan Rocque
Camp Description:This was a water shoe crossing and there are several additional creek crossings before you can keep on your shoes from Three Mile to Pine Mountain Lodge.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Creek had heavy water flow
Weather Conditions:Sunny and 60s
Images:

Snow in the middle of camp

Left no trace with a landmark
Three Mile Camp Survey - 07-03-2019 - by Anonymous Surveyor
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 07-03-2019
Surveyor Name:Anonymous Surveyor
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 05-27-2019 - by Louis Tremblay
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 05-27-2019
Surveyor Name:Louis Tremblay
Camp Description:Tons of water and the camp is in good condition. Table still sturdy. 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:higher flow
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 04-04-2018 - by bardley
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 04-04-2018
Surveyor Name:bardley
Camp Description:
60s about noon.  stock blocking tree just uphill towards haddock.   readily passable.  the picnic table was a welcome relief.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:flowing freely.
Weather Conditions:sunny clear 60s
Three Mile Camp Survey - 11-18-2017 - by Chris Pechous
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 11-18-2017
Surveyor Name:Chris Pechous
Camp Description:Passed through on my way up to Reyes Peak this past Saturday. Water was flowing! 
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Water was slowly flowing
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 09-30-2017 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 09-30-2017
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:Two snags at camp, careful where you camp.
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:Nada
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 09-06-2017 - by Kevin H
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 09-06-2017
Surveyor Name:Kevin H
Camp Description:No water at Three Mile on Sept 6, 2017.  
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:Bone dry.
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 06-29-2017 - by larry frassoldati
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 06-29-2017
Surveyor Name:larry frassoldati
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 06-26-2017 - by Craig R. Carey
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 06-26-2017
Surveyor Name:Craig R. Carey
Camp Description:As part of of their 8-day trek across the Sespe Wilderness, Troop 111 (Ventura) spent their first night at Beartrap on Monday 6/26/2017. Warm and a bit buggy, but camp is in good shape and still enough water to pump. 

All the unnamed crossings to here coming from Beartrap still had plenty of water, which was great. There's a huge down tree just upstream from camp, which can be ducked under but isn't passable to stock. 
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:Pumpable but getting lower
Weather Conditions:Hot, oh so very hot.
Images:


Three Mile Camp Survey - 05-25-2017 - by bardley
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 05-25-2017
Surveyor Name:bardley
Camp Description:a falling tree, approx 48" diameter,  missed both the stove at camp site one and the table at camp site two.  however, it did completely block the trail.  two sections of the tree at the 'crown' end were removed so that the trail is now open w/o tree hurdling.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 06-16-2016 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 06-16-2016
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 04-25-2016 - by Scott Williams
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 04-25-2016
Surveyor Name:Scott Williams
Camp Description:
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:The creek is at a slow trick now. The pools are full and not stagnant.
Weather Conditions:
Images:

Three Mile Camp Survey - 04-14-2016 - by Doug Thomas
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 04-14-2016
Surveyor Name:Doug Thomas
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 01-02-2016 - by MightyM
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 01-02-2016
Surveyor Name:MightyM
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Frozen solid in places, thin ice in some places, some open flow
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 08-13-2015 - by Yamato Seki
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 08-13-2015
Surveyor Name:Yamato Seki
Camp Description:
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 05-16-2015 - by Jeremiah Swider
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 05-16-2015
Surveyor Name:Jeremiah Swider
Camp Description:one fire ring, not much space for tents but you could fit three or four if necessary.
Water Source:Trickle
Water Source Details:a creek nearby with not much water in it
Weather Conditions:foggy but warm
Images:

fire ring and table

space for tents
Three Mile Camp Survey - 05-09-2015 - by Arnold Levin
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 05-09-2015
Surveyor Name:Arnold Levin
Camp Description:A favorite but smaller camp ground than some of the others.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:Low flow rate compared to Upper Reyes Creek and the camps served by beartrap creek to the west
Weather Conditions:Sunny
Images:

Fire Pit and nice shade around.

Picnic Bench- signs surrounding tree


Water just North of the campsite.
Three Mile Camp Survey - 04-03-2015 - by NOrman93001
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 04-03-2015
Surveyor Name:NOrman93001
Camp Description:
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 03-22-2015 - by Los Padres Forest Association
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 03-22-2015
Surveyor Name:Los Padres Forest Association
Camp Description:VWR project logging fallen trees.  Water was flowing nicely at Three Mile.
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:
Weather Conditions:
Three Mile Camp Survey - 02-14-2015 - by Aaron and Tom Songer
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 02-14-2015
Surveyor Name:Aaron and Tom Songer
Camp Description:Campground was very nice and in good condition. There were three fire rings and a picnic table that shows its age. Laying on a pine tree next to the picnic table was a very cool and old LP Forest campground sign. 

There was a post near the creek crossing laying against a tree that looked like it was ready for a new sign to be put on it.  
Water Source:Flowing
Water Source Details:clear water; steady flow
Weather Conditions:mid 60s; very calm and very nice
Images:

Three Mile Campground

Piedra Blanca Creek
Three Mile Camp Survey - 11-15-2014 - by John Spiegel
Link: Three Mile Camp
Date: 11-15-2014
Surveyor Name:John Spiegel
Camp Description:
Water Source:Dry
Water Source Details:There was good flowing water a mile west - half-way along the trail to Haddock. There were also puddles here and there along the trail in either direction.
Weather Conditions:

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Last Updated: Thursday, May 25, 2017

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