FishBowls to Cedar Creek Loop

Fishbowls swimming hole

Currently I'm on a mission to try to visit all or at least most of the trail camps in the Southern Los Padres I checked two more off  my never ending list this morning, Fishbowls and Cedar Creek Camps. Both were exceptionally nice and I couldn't have been more pleased with how the day turned out.

Turn Left here on Grade Valley Road

 Both camps can be reached as an out and back from separate Trailheads or combined as a 14 mile Loop trail. I choose the Loop trail starting at Fishbowls Trailhead. Winter season closures begin November 1 to access these trails so now is a good time to head out or you will be stuck waiting for  spring. To get to the Trailhead from Santa Clarita Take the 5 freeway North and exit Frazier Mountain Rd. Turn left and continue for about 7 miles to Lockwood Valley Road and turn left. In about 10.5 miles make another left onto Grade Valley Rd. From here it's another 5.7 miles to reach the Fishbowls Trailhead. Park Here.  If you choose to continue on and start from Cedar Creek Trailhead (about 2.5 miles further) just keep in mind Grade Valley is a dirt road and you would need to cross Piru Creek, this wouldn't have been a problem on my trip as Piru water flow was dry, but during the spring this might present a problem for low clearance vehicles.

Dry Piru Creek Road crossing

Fishbowls Trailhead is really nice, complete with pull in parking spaces, Pit toilets and informational signs. The Trailhead is located on the west side of Grade Valley Rd and even has a designated handicapped parking space. The Trailhead sits at an elevation of 5000 feet and is for day use only. I may be wrong but I believe this was at one time the old Grade Valley Campground now converted to this Trailhead.

Informative signs with area map

Pit toilets 

Fishbowls Trailhead

The trail takes off directly adjacent to the restrooms right in front of the handicapped parking space. Immediately you will notice scars on the pines from the 2006 Day fire. The first quarter mile is uphill after that it's about a half mile down hill into the valley floor along Piru Creek. Fishbowls Trail(21W05) is well maintained and easy to follow. As of this writing there are a few places that are overgrown, and a couple downed trees to negotiate but aside from that its smooth sailing. Same goes for the Cedar Creek Trail(21W10). You know it is a good day in the Southern Los Padres when you can fly through 14 miles of back country, unscathed and not have to really pay any attention to your map or GPS.

View South Toward Thorn Point

The first 6 miles to Fishbowls Camp is a breeze. You gently meander along the Piru Creek Drainage on a easy steady little grade. Pines, Oaks, and Incense Cedars dot the landscape in all directions. At about 2.6 miles in you cross into the Sespe Wilderness.

Sespe Wilderness Boundary sign

Here at the wilderness sign you will also pass through an old gate with the cable stung all out across the floor. This was once a jeep trail many years ago. The gate was installed to keep vehicles from going any further into the Wilderness. Along the way to Fishbowls I encountered several Creek crossings. Sadly all of them were dry as was pretty much my expectations for being so late in the season.

One of the many dry Piru Crossings 

North of Fishbowls at about 5 miles in There was a neat Rock Formation right next to the creek. Complete with small campfire ring. This little gorilla camp site was situated right next to a dry plunge pool that I'm sure makes for good times when water is flowing.

Gorilla Camp site

From here its a hop skip and a jump to Fishbowls Trail Camp at just under 6 miles in you have arrived. I loved this site. I'm 100 percent returning in spring with the kids when water is good and flowing. The site gets its name from the fish bowl like pools nearby that have been dredged out of sedimentary rock creek bed from years of rushing water created erosion. This makes for perfect little swimming holes to escape the heat and possibly a good place to nab a few trout. Note: Upper Piru Creek is a wild trout fishery, only artificial lures and barbless hooks may be used with a 2 trout limit.

Fishbowls

Surprisingly deep first pool

Shaded under a beautiful forest of pines and incense Cedar Fishbowls has 4 campsites all with fire rings. The first 2 are up against a really nice rock formation while the other 2 are southwest a short distance along the opposite side of Piru Creek. 

first campsite you come upon

Enough water to filter in the creek directly across the main campsite

Situated directly behind the first site

Campsite on the way to the pools

As I mentioned earlier water flow was scarce along the route however the fishbowl pools still had standing water and Piru Creek at the fishbowls Camp had a small flow with plenty enough to filter if needed. The first pool I came across was deeper than expected. I extended my trekking pole and submerged it and still could not feel the bottom. Finding the fishbowls can be tricky if you do not know where to look. I have included a map with way points and downloadable GPS track to follow. 

But basically you cross through the third and fourth campsite on a secondary use trail that leads you to the pools. From the Main Fishbowls trail when you first arrive in camp cross Piru Creek and take a right at the second Camp sign junction. There are 2 signs marking Fishbowls Campsite one at the beginning (north end) and one a short distance past at the opposite end (south end leads to the Pools). See photo below.

Turn right here to take use trail to the pools and secondary campsites

The hardest part of this loop trail is leaving Fishbowls. Here you climb about a 1000 feet out of the Piru watershed up along the ridge before dropping down into the Cedar Creek Drainage. This section provides amazing views of Lockwood Valley, Pine mountain and the surrounding peaks.You really feel as if your on top of the world here. As a little bonus out of nowhere I got good cell phone reception from Fishbowls Camp and throughout this whole upper section.

Left to right Tecuya Mountain, Piute Peak, Lockwood Peak and Frazier Mountain

Alamo Mountain and McDonald Peak in the distance

Fantastic View down into the Cedar Creek Drainage and beyond

The walk Along this ridge section took me a bit longer than normal. I couldn't help but to take photo after photo with frequent stops to just admire the views. I also noted multiple Sandstone outcrops that I would like to return and check out. All the elevation you just gained you give right back as you descend sharply into the Cedar Creek drainage. At about 8 miles in you come to a junction.

Take a left here to Cedar Creek Camp

Keep left at this junction to proceed onto the Cedar Creek Trail. ( A right here would lead you to Pine Mountain Lodge). From this point it is about another mile and a Half to reach Cedar Creek Camp.  (9.5 miles in if you followed my exact route.)

Cedar Creek site #1

Cedar Creek site #2

Cedar Creek site #3

Cedar Creek Camp is situated in a sublime setting. Huge Incense Cedars and Pines tower overhead. The Landscape is green and lush. The layout is perfect affording plenty of room for a good sized group. The camp has 3 fire rings and is adjacent to Cedar Creek. Water was pretty dry here, however just downstream of camp I did find a few very small pools of standing water that could be filtered if absolutely needed. Watch out poison oak is in places along the trail before making your way into the camp.

The Woodpeckers really got busy on this poor tree

From Cedar Creek Camp back to Grade valley Rd and the Cedar Creek Trailhead is a little over 2 miles along a fairly level grade. Travelling along another abandoned jeep trail. If you parked your car as I did at the Fishbowls Trailhead you will need to walk a little under 2.5 miles along Grade Valley Road to return to the car. My total mileage for the day was 14.1. This is the longest day hike my dog has been on with me and she did great. Even carried her own water in her sporty new Ruffwear Pack. As I always say another Fine day Lost in The Los Padres.

Download GPS Track (GPS UNITS)

Download KMZ File (Google Earth)