[Diane]

Post your update here or from Bryan's Interactive Backcountry Map.

[ByCrout Bill]

I solo hiked from South Fork to the Alamar Camp in late March '05. There are about 25 river crossings from South Fork to Heath Camp, most of them thigh-deep with the heavy winter and still-raining skies. Did not find Skunk Camp, only a sign post lying on the ground. Cottonwood Camp was marshy, except a site on the south side. Most river crossings are thoroughly washed out. There's a narrow, tricky spot high above the river just below Rattlesnake Cyn.
Trail up the switchbacks from Lower Bear Camp is almost gone, just a narrow lip across the talus. But the falls and cascades were almost Yosemite-like! Much down timber in lovely Bear Basin area, including a large white fir that took out the posted Bear Camp. But, there's a much nicer campsite (with picnic table!) 180 degrees across the meadow in the sun.

[george]

We hiked this twice last week, in each direction, turning around at South Fork because of the fire in the Sierra Madres. The trail is in surprisingly good shape the entire way, with just a bit of poison oak to look out for, and also paying attention occasionally, down low, at crossings so to not loose the trail. We were able to keep our feet dry the whole time, and enjoyed camping at Bear (Meadow), S.Fork, Cottonwood and Heath camps. Fine pools are easily accessed near the latter three. We also hiked the short trail to Rattlesnake Falls (don't miss it!) and boulder-hopped up Fall Canyon to the spectacular Sisquoc Falls, perhaps the highest fall anywhere in SoCal? Well worth the 40-minute scramble, with great shade and pools the whole way!

[Adam]

Used the Upper Sisquoc Trail as part of the Manzana-Sisquoc-Manzana loop. Compared to the lower Sisquoc, this trail was a pleasure. It looks like a very hard trail to maintain, but someone is doing a great job with it. Some of the ledge parts had some loose rock piles on it, but nothing too scary. We covered ground quickly on it (7 miles before lunch, whereas it took us a whole day to do 6 miles in the Lower Sisquoc). It is away from the water for a good deal of it, but went down to the Sisquoc, which has plenty of water, a few times. Unfortunately, we later found out that this area was closed due to fire danger, but posted signs had been ripped down or cut up. Saw some deer across the canyon from the trail, too. Near South Fork there was some very fresh bear scat. Overall, a great trail, and I'd be interested to check out the trail further up sometime.

[goletasteve]

Spent a few days on the upper sisquoc as part of a Judell Trail - Upper Sisquoc -- Whiteledge -- Nyra shuttle March 21-25. Ahh, that's how I recharge. Beautiful. The upper sisquoc is in decent shape, a little bit bushy at times. In a few spots I was doing the "highstep tiptoe" through the poison oak, which at the higher elevations still had no leaves. Ticks were expected, and they did not disappoint. Water was flowing fine and VERY cold. Swimming was limited to in and out. Brr!

[Bryan]

May 24, 2008

I hiked from Alamar Saddle down to Heath Camp over the Memorial Day weekend. The trail is pretty worked over with fallen trees and the occasional washout. Its as beautiful as ever but be prepared to crawl or climb through the dozens of fallen trees, and practice your trail finding skills.

[ConiferKevin]

Dropped down into the Bear Camps almost 2 years ago. Bummer about all those pines and the burnt out table at mid Bear Camp. I'm sure the vegetation is coming back strong, but we need to talk the LPFA into getting a new table back there.

[Bryan]

Hiked down to Lower Bear along the Sisquoc Trail from Alamar Saddle. That trail is in fantastic shape right now, best I’ve ever seen it. Kudos to the LPFA and VWR volunteers and whomever else cleared the trees and treaded the trail. Great work! The Devils Slide section is the best I've seen it in over 10 years. Not sure how the trail is downstream from Lower Bear but there has been confirmed rumors that people are working on that as well.

Every little bit helps.

[toejam]

I hiked down from the top until the trail was lost in fallen trees a little below Lower Bear Camp. Still in great shape above that.

[Coyote Dave]

Hiked from South Fork up to Heath Camp over Memorial Day Weekend (2010). Trail was well flagged and easy to follow. Aside from Skunk Camp which has been destroyed from the Zaca Fire, the other camps along the stretch were in good shape.
_________________
COYOTE DAVE-
"Harmony with land is like harmony with a friend; you cannot cherish his right hand and chop off his left." -Aldo Leopold

[Bryan]

June 5, 2010

Hiked from Alamar Saddle to Heath Camp. Trail through the Bear Camps is great. Below Lower Bear the trail is very followable until you get about 0.5 miles upstream from Big Pine Canyon. At that point the trail gets significantly worse and stay that way until Heath Camp. There are flags marking the way, but expect to wade through grass and spend some time looking for the next flag. From Heath to Mansfield is great!