Jack Elliott's Santa Barbara Adventure

East Lion Camp (Sespe Wilderness)

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Jack Elliott

View from trail approaching East Lion Camp.

East Lion Camp has two sites adjacent to each other. The two sites are really close together, and if both are taken by different parties, it dramatically reduces the sense of solitude one typically is after when backpacking.

The main camp is set beneath two massive, towering pine trees aside the east fork of Lion Creek, which flows in its entirety only seasonally, but the canyon closes together just above the camp to form several small waterfalls and the creek typically flows here year round. The camp has an airy open feel to it and is far more desirable than West Lion Camp.

A view looking north showing both camps.

The second, smaller camp.

A trickle of water flowing over the falls in November before the winter rains turn it into a raging torrent.

Trailside view looking south up Lion Canyon on the way to the campsites.

Directions: Highway 33 out of Ojai to Rose Valley Road. Trailhead is located off Rose Valley Road at the drive-up Middle Lion Campground.

Middle Lion Campground Trailhead—>2.4 miles to West Lion Camp (3470′). The trail is an easy, fairly flat hike with little incline.

A view looking from the summit of Pine Mountain near Pine Mountain Lodge Camp and over the Piedra Blanca rock formation, just seen on the lower right, and the Sespe Creek valley. Rose Valley Road can be seen and Lion Canyon. The red dots show the approximate locations of East and West Lion Camps. (click image to enlarge)

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Lion Creek, Reference, West Lion Camp | 3 Comments

West Lion Camp

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Jack Elliott

West Lion Camp

West Lion Camp sucks. It is located at the foot of a chaparral covered mountain and aside the edge of the thick canopy of Sycamore and Cottonwood trees growing over the west fork of Lion Creek. It is set on a flat spot that has been cleared from the otherwise impenetrable creek side bramble. Due to the mountain the sun does not hit the site until late morning and the canopy of trees over the creek shades the camp by early afternoon. In fall, winter and early spring the camp is typically damp and cold unless the weather is exceptionally warm. It has a closed in feel to it and is entirely unremarkable. One other smaller and even worse camp is located across the creek.

West Lion Camp 2

Directions: Highway 33 out of Ojai to Rose Valley Road. Trailhead is located off Rose Valley Road at the drive-up Middle Lion Campground. Trailhead—>2.3 miles to West Lion Camp (3470′). The trail is an easy, fairly flat hike with little incline.

Posted in Ventura | Tagged Lion Canyon, Lion Creek, Reference, West Lion Camp | 3 Comments

Aliso Park Campground

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Jack Elliott

Aliso Park Campground in the shade of an oak grove.

Directions: Highway 166 to Aliso Canyon Road, which is about two to three miles west of New Cuyama. Aliso Canyon Road leads through the oil fields for about six miles where it ends at Aliso Park Campground (2930′). Dry most of the year, a small creek flows out of Aliso Canyon in the rainy season and runs along the westward edge of the campground.

Interactive map guide:

The McPherson Trail leads from Aliso Park Campground to the Sierra Madre Road. It begins as a 4×4 Jeep trail and follows the creek up Aliso Canyon 1.4 miles to Hog Pen Spring Camp (3690′), at which point a hiking trail leads 2.3 miles up the mountain to the Sierra Madre Road (4975′). Further west from the trail junction 0.4 of a mile along the road is a locked gate and then it’s 32 miles to Highway 166. McPherson Peak (5750′) is just beyond the gate. Painted Rock Camp is 5.7 miles along the Sierra Madre Road the other direction toward the east.

The McPherson Peak Trail also begins at Aliso Park Campground (2930′) and leads up a ridge line to McPherson Peak (5750′). The trail begins on the westward side of the campground.

The featured banner photo was taken from the Sierra Madre Road and shows Salisbury Potrero in the afternoon light. On the right beyond the potrero can be seen New Cuyama in the Cuyama Valley and the crumpled looking Caliente Range rising in the background.

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Aliso Canyon, Aliso Park Campground, McPherson Trail, Reference | 1 Comment

Painted Rock Camp, Montgomery Potrero, Sierra Madre Mountains

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Jack Elliott

Painted Rock Camp.

Looking east over Painted Rock Camp, which is hidden behind the oak tree on the right, and toward Pine Corral. Sapaksi or the House of the Sun painted cave can just barely be seen on the left as a darkened area in the rock formation.