Indian Creek

I suggest Indian Creek be hiked on a gorgeous spring day after the rains have made the flowers bloom. Then enjoy walking through carpets of happy little yellow flowers and a late afternoon skinny dip in the most inviting pool, complete with a champagne bubble Jacuzzi and a lap pool current to swim against.

Indian Creek Trail is a very long trail with one end near Mono campground and the other near Bluff Camp, which is a Forest Service Station accessible only by foot, unless you're a ranger with free range to drive anywhere in the back country you want. The trail description is for a level 15 mile round trip day hike. Since the trail is so very overgrown, and you'll have to wade through some poison oak, push your way through a lot of brush, and cross innumerable creek crossings, it is optional to do the whole entire thing. Just turn around when you get tired. The only reason to do the whole thing is that the further upstream you go the prettier it gets.

This hike starts at Mono and requires over an hour drive from Santa Barbara on a dreadful, dirt road. But that pool and the flowers in springtime make it worthwhile.

The hike also begins kind of dismally in some rather harshly arid conditions, but the further upstream you go, the prettier it gets. This is also way back country, making this trail a great portal to a serious, multi-day back pack trip. Don't let all these words deter you; I'm just letting you know what you're in for!

The hike described here is a 14 mile day hike.

You will need an Adventure Pass to park your car in the area.

Indian Creek Trail Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: July 13, 2008, 3:22 pm
by: Ranger Juan

I hiked the Indian Creek trail as far as Meadow Camp by myself over Father's Day 2008, and have a few things to report.

There's a big black bear whose tracks are all over the trail, and who himself paid me a visit at my campsite just as I was finishing up dinner! I scared him off by banging pots and pans, and didn't see him again the rest of the trip. I definitely encourage hikers up there to keep their campsites scrupulously clean, and carry a bear canister if they've got one.

On my hike out, I saw big, fresh tracks that were unmistakably a mountain lion's. These, coupled with the bear encounter, and a terrifyingly close rattlesnake encounter, make me implore others to hike with a buddy. I love solo-hiking, but this trip, out in a remote part of the SB backcountry, has made me reconsider how prudent soloing is.

Other useful info: There's plenty of water still, although in the baking 95 degree heat, it might not last for much longer. No 10'' trout to report (see doug's post from 8/28/05.) The desolation of the Indian Creek area makes it a pretty special place; but know that from the end of the pavement on E. Camino Cielo, it's a 13 mi, ***50 minute*** drive to the trailhead over some pretty bumpy, dusty, tiring terrain (Diane already said this in her directions, but didn't indicate quite how long a drive this is!). Make sure your car is up to the task. (My VW Rabbit made it but wasn't happy.)

Don't let my report sound too discouraging though: Indian Creek's a great hike that I'll happily do again next spring--but with a buddy!

Happy trails!
-John

Posted: April 30, 2008, 1:49 pm
by: BernardMines

Since my last update a year and a half ago I have since participated in 2 trail maintenance projects put on by the Los Padres Forrest Association, to clear Indian Creek trail...

From Meadow Camp to Indian Camp is almost entirely clear. We have just one small section 100 yards or so left. Late this summer the CCC is slated to clearing the trail from the end of Camusa Road to the Buckhorn trail. So this should be a smooth easy hike the entire way.

Lots of water out there. The fire did not touch the lower part of the Cyn, but the upper part was mostly burned.

Happy trails,

Bernard

Posted: December 4, 2006, 4:08 pm
by: BernardMines

With a few Wednesday nighters we did an overnighter at Indian Camp.

The trail up until about half a mile N of Meadow Camp is in great shape. From there on its tougher going. Lots of P.O and a very overgrown trail. I agree with Diane that as you get further up the Cyn the prettier it gets. Just keep pushing on and eventually you reach the camp. Its very reminiscent of the meadow up Rattlesnake Cyn., accept a whole lot more remote. Its just a very special place with a big creek running thru, located along a meadow. We saw lots of bear scat, Loren said that it tasted no fresher then a couple of days old, I'll take his word on that.

Next day we tried walking further up to the illusive "Perfect 10" on the map. The trail really does not exist from Indian Creek camp on up, accept in an archeological sense. So my advice is just rock hop up the creek. If we'd have had a full day I'd try and make it up to Pens camp, but instead we had to turn around after more or less a mile. Creek hopping is slow going. So I forsee another trip to further explore the area.

Posted: August 28, 2005, 9:57 pm
by: Anonymous

8-25-2005

mountain bike to bluff camp, hiked down indian creek. trail is excellent to poplar camp, lots of running water, 10" trout (aug ?!!)
poplar to pens camp is alittle overgrown but well marked thanks to bear traffic.trail down indian creek dissapears at pens. alamar trail begins at this point to loma pelona,(to east) also in poor shape, dry, thorny, no water.
turned back at pelona, backtracked to overnite at poplar, where do the picknic tables come from??

Lots of bugs, poison oak,spooked bears, falen trees across trail (small but horseproof-2 mi ?)

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:30 pm
by: Diane

Post your update here.