Cedar Creek Trail - Los Padres National Forest
Trail Distance 5.80 Miles

Trail Details

• Trail #: 21W10
• Wilderness Area: Sespe
• County: Ventura County
• Ranger District: Ojai Ranger District , Mt. Pinos Ranger District
• Trail-head Latitude: 34.63455
• Trail-head Longitude: -119.11295
• Trail Condition: Kind of Good - Little to no bushwacking and easily followable
• Topo Maps:
  
  San Guillermo Mountain
  Lockwood Valley
  Lion Canyon
Activities & Features:
• Backpacking
• Creek
• Day Hiking
• Wildlife Viewing
• Wilderness Camping

Trail Stats

• Total Elevation Gain: + 2052 feet.
• Total Elevation Loss: - 906 feet.
• Overall Average Slope Gain: + 9 %.
• Overall Average Slope Loss: - 8 %.
• Kilometers:
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• Meters:
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• Miles:
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• Feet:
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• Average Slope:
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Trail Camps

• Cedar Creek
• Pine Mountain Lodge

Photo By: Christopher P lord - Website Link

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Survey This Trail

Survey Photos:

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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2014
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 03-18-2014
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  Dave Burnett - 11-10-2016
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  Dave Burnett - 11-10-2016
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  Dave Burnett - 11-10-2016
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  Dave Burnett - 11-10-2016
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  Dave Burnett - 11-10-2016
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  Craig R. Carey - 05-26-2018
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  Craig R. Carey - 05-26-2018
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  Christopher P. Lord - 10-08-2018
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  Christopher P. Lord - 10-08-2018
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  Christopher P. Lord - 10-08-2018
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  Christopher P. Lord - 10-08-2018
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  The Lost Padre - 06-27-2019
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  Christopher P. Lord - 07-05-2019
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  Christopher P. Lord - 07-05-2019
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  Christopher P. Lord - 07-05-2019
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  Christopher P. Lord - 07-05-2019
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  Antonio Calderon - 06-06-2020
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  Antonio Calderon - 06-06-2020
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  David Leoncavallo - 06-19-2020
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  David Leoncavallo - 06-19-2020
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  Tom Fritz - 05-07-2022
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  Tom Fritz - 05-07-2022
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  Los Padres Forest Association - 05-06-2022

Submitted Trail Reports

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 12-26-2023 - by Anonymous

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	12-26-2023
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous
Trail description:	Water was abundant. Other than the 1.5miles to the peak and down, we didn't walk more than a quarter mile without having direct access to water. The trail was easy to follow. Tons of signs of bear, but we didn't see any. A gorgeous trail. The creek followed almost the entire way. Some of the trail is loose sand, so be ready for a bit of a calve workout.
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-20-2022 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-20-2022
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	A couple of switchback sections cutting across steep-sided hills are almost impassable and dangerous with sliding dirt/scree. Go back and find alternate spur trail for safety, until the trail is worked on.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Upper part from Cedar Creek Camp to Fishbowls Trail junction

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-06-2022 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-06-2022
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	A group of MPRD volunteers spent the day logging out 8 downed trees from across the lower part of the Cedar Creek Trail. More work is needed but this will certainly help! Thanks volunteers.....
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-07-2022 - by Tom Fritz

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-07-2022
Surveyor Name:	Tom Fritz
Trail description:	I hiked this as a portion of a larger trip, entering rom Pine Mountain Lodge to Fishbowls, and exited at the "new" trailhead off Grade Valley Rd. As usual, beautiful views abound. The trail was clear of blowdowns that caused great effort. No real choke-points brush-wise. The Piru is flowing quite well at Fishbowls, and is flowing constantly until you reach the cable. Stepped across each crossing; never got a foot wet. After the cable, it flows on the surface, then disappears. The Fishbowl in camp itself is still about 4'- 5' deep. There hasn't been enough flow in the past couple years to get it good and deep. Observation: the forest surrounding Fishbowls camp is stressing. Trees are sick/dying/falling. More trees have fallen in camp. I've noticed this is happening more frequently within the past several years; comparing it with how it used to look in the mid 70s when I first started coming here.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Fishbowl, May 3 2022 Piru creek flow, about 2 miles upstream from "new" trailhead.

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-01-2022 - by The Lost Padre

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-01-2022
Surveyor Name:	The Lost Padre
Trail description:	Some large trees are down between the trailhead & Cedar creek camp. Several dead oaks that were in the trail above camp have been cleared. Tread needs work in a few spots around & above switchbacks on the way to Pine Mtn lodge/Fishbowls Junction
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Always a great view!

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 03-30-2022 - by Tim

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	03-30-2022
Surveyor Name:	Tim
Trail description:	Hiked entire length from Pine Mountain Lodge to Thorn Meadows. There were 4 inches of snow on the ground from a storm the night before, so the beginning section from Pine Mountain was difficult to follow due to either being covered with snow or having turned into a small creek. Once we were below the snow line, the trail was easy to follow, except for a section where there was evidence of work from a previous fire. It looked like a false trail veered off to the side and back, but that might have been from the fire fighters; the proper trail continued along the ridge. Otherwise, no issues and the trail was great.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 11-04-2021 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	11-04-2021
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	LPFA Trail Survey Cedar Creek is in good shape, no issues to report other than some moto damage and the occasional downed tree. Some of the upper tread could be redone but it's in fine shape by LP backocuntry standards. Enjoy.....
Mode of transport:	Array
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 06-19-2020 - by David Leoncavallo

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	06-19-2020
Surveyor Name:	David Leoncavallo
Trail description:	We did the Cedar Creek-Fishbowls look clockwise.  Easy to follow trail, plenty of water along the way.  Beautiful hike.  Moderate.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 06-06-2020 - by Antonio Calderon

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	06-06-2020
Surveyor Name:	Antonio Calderon
Trail description:	From fishbowl junction to trailhead trail is in good shape . Great views descending.  A bit brushy at creek crossings but nothing major. Good  water flow. Beautiful trail.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-25-2020 - by Anonymous Surveyor

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-25-2020
Surveyor Name:	Anonymous Surveyor
Trail description:	cedar creek trailhead to camp is in good shape. All creek crossings are small. Trail is a little brushy with a few downed trees near the camp area. From camp to pine mtn. lodge junction trail is very narrow. There are no wash out sections.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 10-19-2019 - by Everett Amburn

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	10-19-2019
Surveyor Name:	Everett Amburn
Trail description:	Hiked fishbowl trail to PML back through cedar creek to the fishbowl TH. There are a few blow downs in the way but easily passed. The trail is easily followed and in good condition.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 07-05-2019 - by Christopher P. Lord

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	07-05-2019
Surveyor Name:	Christopher P. Lord
Trail description:	I connected with Cedar Creek Trail (21W10) approximately 1.3 miles Northeast of Pine Mountain Lodge as I made my descent from Cedar Peak. Trail is in fine shape and mostly really easy to follow besides a few places where erosion and or possibly the old Pine Fire hand line cuts might be causing some cutting of the trail. I counted 8 downed trees from my entry point until reaching Cedar Creek Trailhead. Lower portion of the trail within the first mile coming up from Grade Valley has been deeply rutted from heavy winter rains. Water is flowing in Cedar Creek, just before exiting I was greeted by the resident cows. More details below https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2019/07/thorn-point-to-cedar-peak.html
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Sunny skies with temps in the 80's
Images:	Rutted sections

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 06-27-2019 - by The Lost Padre

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	06-27-2019
Surveyor Name:	The Lost Padre
Trail description:	In need of some tread work on the north east facing ridge above the camp.There's a large tree across the trail up there as well with a use trail around it that'll cause some erosion problemsÂ
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Images:

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-10-2019 - by Diane Soini

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-10-2019
Surveyor Name:	Diane Soini
Trail description:	I hiked this trail from Pine Mountain Lodge to the trailhead near the Piru River. The trail was in excellent condition. I did not see a campsite at the place marked as a campsite in the topo. About 10 or a little less years ago I did this same trail and the dirt road from the trailhead to the Piru river was a mess of large blowdowns, but now the dirt road is clear of all blowdowns. Hiking down from the crest this has to be one of the most beautiful trails with the most beautiful view in the backcountry. The big trees, the oaks, the views of the Lockwood Valley. It was gorgeous. I noticed numerous small faint trails branching off that were not the trails to the Fishbowls. I was curious where they led to.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 04-15-2019 - by Johnathan Keilman

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	04-15-2019
Surveyor Name:	Johnathan Keilman
Trail description:	A few downed trees and the trail has been washed out from the winter storms. needs some work.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Trail gets difficult to follow between Pine Mtn Lodge and the Cedar Creek loop

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 10-08-2018 - by Christopher P. Lord

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	10-08-2018
Surveyor Name:	Christopher P. Lord
Trail description:	Trail was in excellent condition. Watch out for poison Oak when approaching Cedar Creek Camp. Water was mostly dry, however I did locate a few Very small stagnant pools near the Camp. The Piru road crossing to the Cedar Creek Trailhead was dry and easily navigable with low clearance vehicle. http://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2018/10/fishbowls-to-cedar-creek-loop.html
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-26-2018 - by Craig R. Carey

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-26-2018
Surveyor Name:	Craig R. Carey
Trail description:	As part of their final pre-summer training trip, Troop 111 Scouts (Ventura) backpacked the Cedar Creek trail from the Fishbowls junction to Thorn Meadow spur road. A few downed trees, but nothing unmanageable. Lots of creek crossings but all can be managed with dry feet. Great conditions right now.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 11-10-2016 - by Dave Burnett

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	11-10-2016
Surveyor Name:	Dave Burnett
Trail description:	Cedar Creek Trail hike on 11/10/16 with friend, Bob.  We started the hike at about 7:45 am with temp at 32 degrees and no wind.  We finished at 12:30 pm with temp at 75 degrees and still no wind.  Skies were clear all day with only minimal cloudiness.  A very pleasant day to hike.  Lots of evidence of brush clearance along the trail and especially on the ridge comprising the upper portion of the hike.     We did not hike the entire trail, but rather had lunch and turned around about 1/4 mile beyond the junction with the Fishbowls Trail. Ascending (green track on the map included), we followed the trail.  Descending (red track) we followed a recently cleared fire break which followed the ridge for the upper portion of the hike.  This saved about 1.2 miles and a lot of time. (We had a minor emergency that required us to return a bit earlier than intended originally.)   Ascending was 4.4 miles and descending was 3.2 miles.        Trail was in very good shape all the way up.  Ridge was similarly easy to follow descending, although much steeper than following the switchbacks which begin shortly past Cedar Creek Campground.  This is a challenging hike, but very enjoyable.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow
Images:	Cedar Creek Trail (partial - 4.4 miles) Ascending track is green. Descending track is red. Huge fallen granary tree. Hundreds of storage holes. Hiking friend Bob shown. A distant view of Thorn Point Fire Lookout Tower. Tower is about 2 miles away, Reviewer at the high point of the hike. Thorn Point Fire Lookout Tower is far in the distance. Picture also shows an example of the fire break clearance. An unusual rock formation along the ridge descending.

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 03-29-2016 - by Shaddus Maximus/Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	03-29-2016
Surveyor Name:	Shaddus Maximus/Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	One large downed tree about 3/4 of a mile east of Pine Mountain Lodge camp, and another couple of smaller downed trees east of Cedar Creek camp. None of these present much of challenge to make your way over or around. Otherwise, the trail is in excellent condition.Â
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Good shape and easy to follow

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 03-13-2016 - by United Trail Maintainers of California

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	03-13-2016
Surveyor Name:	United Trail Maintainers of California
Trail description:	When the snow clears, we will bring rigging gear up and remove large down trees closer to Pine Mtn Lodge. 1 large tree and one rootball to be removed by Lancaster Outreach Center crew April 16th with UTMC. Trail due for brushing. Some light treadwork performed.
Mode of transport:	Stock
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	Cleared trail of downed trees with the exception of large blockages below Pine Mtn Lodge

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 05-24-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	05-24-2014
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	Information gathered by James Wapotich while on a VWR Patrol.   You can follow James on his blog: http://songsofthewilderness.wordpress.com/
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Condition details:	The tread is easy to follow but there are a bunch downed trees
Number of trees down:	20

Cedar Creek Trail Survey - 03-18-2014 - by Los Padres Forest Association

Link:	Cedar Creek Trail
Date:	03-18-2014
Surveyor Name:	Los Padres Forest Association
Trail description:	The trail from Thorn Meadow to Pine Mtn Lodge is in fairly good shape.  There are 21 downed trees but other than that the tread is easy to follow and you will not get lost.  The sign at the Fishbowls Junction is down, that needs to be (re)installed.  Sawyers will love this trail as there is plenty of work to be done.  Water was along the entire stretch from the Trailhead to Cedar Creek Camp, there were patches of snow from the Fishbowls Junction up and over to Pine Mtn Lodge.  There are a few spots above Pine Mtn Lodge where the trail is a little hard to follow, look out for cairns and flagging.
Mode of transport:	Hike
Trail condition:	Needs some work
Number of trees down:	21
People Seen:	0
Images:

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