Back to Borracho

 

Campo Borracho, my old nemesis. For those who follow these posts your aware I missed it the last time around and by a heartbreaking 25 feet. My obsession with locating old camps would all but guarantee another visit. I just needed a new plan and one that did not include a grueling push back up the AB in spring when the overgrowth is atrocious. Previous searching under those conditions was a bad idea. The far northern, abandoned section of  the Agua Blanca Trail (19W10) that once descended the western drainage from the Cobblestone Mountain Saddle down to Borracho and beyond was destroyed in the 2006 Day Fire. Making any such search progress in the vicinity challenging to say the least.

 

1967 LPNF recreation map showing the route from atop Sewart Mountain down 19W12 to Borracho

By all accounts I was convinced that right at the camp proper would be a guaranteed year around water supply even when the rest of the drainage was bone dry. Looking at the 67 map one afternoon and remembering a 20 year old story Kim Coakley once recited it hit me. Drop in from the historic 19W12 connector (been on my to do list anyways) starting at the upper Buck Creek trailhead and instead of hacking our way through every semi flat, overgrown spot holding promise, just bushwhack right smack in the middle of the drainage until we hit water. My thought in theory was such that once we find the water we should be able to find Borracho. Not only would this idea narrow down the search perimeter it would also put us in just over 4 miles from the car so in the event that the water theory was incorrect we could always just turn around and head back out making for a superb day hike. Plan set and crew assembled we were off. 

If you were wondering yes beer stays cold in the trunk on ice for several days at 6400'

Upper Buck Creek Trailhead - N34.63829° W118.91993°

Pitstop on the Summit of Sewart Mountain

A cold morning and howling winds had us wasting no time at the trailhead. Covering this upper section in previous posts I wont go into much detail other than to say we followed the old road cut (6N10) just under a mile up to the summit of Sewart Mountain before descending the Big Cedar Creek Trail (19W05) for another .7 of a mile to the junction with what is now considered the start of the Buck Creek Trail (18W01).  

Buck Creek Trail junction - N34.63858° W118.89998°

From the trailhead to the Upper Buck junction and beyond in my opinion afford some of the most picturesque views you'll encounter in the Los Padres. The long car ride up sorta sucks but the views definitely make up for it. I can't emphasize enough how enjoyable it is. If you have not already do yourself the service and come poke around up here on the mountain top, you wont regret it. Moving along hang a hard right and follow a "finely manicured" Buck Creek trail just over a mile to the battered sign post pictured below. I'll note that Finely manicured and Buck Creek trail are normally not associated in the same sentence together. That said a large group of motorcycle enthusiasts are currently maintaining the trail. Inside the Wilderness boundary, armed with chainsaws and loppers they push on. By no means do I condone any such nefarious behavior, that said in a world where our once beautiful hiking trails off the slopes of Sewart now get zero funding and no maintenance I'll leave it for you to decide whether you think they are justified or not. I did not chat with them and I have no evidence to back this claim but if I was a betting man I'd say they might just be trying to open that trail again all the way through to Hardluck. No small task.

19W12 connector sign, maybe? - N34.62995° W118.89257°

I've often pondered the mystery of this here sign, it's placement aligns precisely with where all the former maps indicate the 19W12 connector trail may have dropped in. Yes it could be just some other random trail sign however that would make it's location a very a strange coincidence. The true route this short trail once followed has been a source of frustration for me as I have yet to see a legit Topo showing it's exact former path and the LP recreation maps do not provide that kind of detail. Commonly you can see from other maps and the 67 map at the top of this post they all appear to show the trail dropping down the ravine and closely following the creek drainage. Trails in ravines do not fare well in the Los Padres so if this was the case why put it there in the first place when you have a beautiful ridge .3 of a mile further up the trail one can descend? Ridge trails tend to maintain themselves so to me it makes more sense that 19W12 might have originally followed the ridge route. Or perhaps it was just a case of being built in an era where endless trail maintenance was not an issue and having the option of nice switchbacks for stock travel down a meandering ravine was of more importance. I don't have the answer and sorry for the rambling on here. Needless to say as bad as I wanted to just jump into the brushy abyss beyond that busted post and see for myself I felt not the need to subject my friends to that sort of torture as it looked just downright nasty.

Center ridgeline which runs into the S bend down in the drainage marks Borracho.

With that out of the way at the 3.2 mile mark (N34.62667° W118.88875°) we made our decent down the ridge. Without a doubt I now believe this to be the best way down. Most of the ridge is open and when not a path can easily be found with only minimal bushwhacking. There are a few semi steep sections but by Los Padres standards not too bad. After reaching the bottom another .2 of a mile and your at Borracho. Grand total one way about 4.4 miles.

Upside-down and halfway buried this sole ice can stove was all that marked the former camp.

Borracho Camp precisely where all the old FS maps indicated - N34.61467° W118.89630°

One can almost bath in that pool.

We had walkies so as to split up and cover more ground. Kim and I stuck to the creek while Jeff patrolled the higher southern bank. As expected the drainage was dry, very dry, almost to the point of being unrecognizable as last time around I was fully knee deep in the same spot. I'm not gonna lie the longer we searched the more I started to second guess my water theory. I did have some confidence though if it was gonna be anywhere it would probably be in the S curve of the canyon where last time through I clearly recall it being deeper and having the strongest flow. After some time the radio crackled, it was Jeff saying "we got water here and a lot of it." My heart sank in my chest I knew right where he was. My response "let me guess your on flat at the bend in the creek." "Yep that's where I'm at." I searched that exact spot last time around feeling it had to be buried somewhere in the immediate vicinity, could I really have missed it? At that point I was approaching Jeff's location but slowly in a zig zag pattern inspecting a thick patch of Rose Thorn while prodding with a trekking pole every few inches. Once more the radio crackled "I think we got a stove." With that I stopped prodding and made haste toward Jeff. There it was a little trail perpendicular the creek, hidden last time under poison oak that led right to the stove. I couldn't believe it we just found Borracho less then a few hundred feet from where Kim and I last camped. 

This old Photo above courtesy Carol day well before the Day fire shows Borracho as it once was. The current state of affairs can be seen in the photos below. Most of that flat bank is now sloped and has been eroded to a fraction of its former size. The main drainage center frame intersects a side drainage coming in from the left of this photo which has widened from heavy rains and debris flow. This action has unfortunately diminished even more of the once available flat space. The whole site now sits under a massive amount of Blackberry Bramble. Rose thorn, Poison Oak and deadfall. 

Plainly anyone can see here that Borracho was trashed. We may have only been a few seasons away from ever finding that stove again. A tractor and or some enormous volunteer effort would be needed to even consider restoring the original flat. We had a shovel, a single Pulaski and one Mcleod. Even if the bank was rebuilt and those obnoxious plants cleared away they would most likely just grow right back. I can't stress enough when I say this that a very tough decision was made to move the camp directly across the creek and up on the bench. Only by last resort would I even consider moving a historic camp. Kim and I deeply struggled with this decision however both agreed in the end it was the only choice we had if we were to keep the memory alive and to preserve this once great camp for future generations to enjoy. Pictured below is the new Borracho. The camp is now in a pristine location that should survive long after we are gone. Best of all you can still sit by the fire and gaze nostalgically down upon the original site. 

Camp taking shape. Still a virgin fire pit as I always seem to end up in the best places during fire restrictions. 

We left a pile of fire wood and all the tools onsite for future use. A big thanks to the Los Padres Forest association for the tool donation. Very generous of you. 

New camp coordinates -  N34.61483° W118.89585°

I forgot the customary REI gift card so Kim proposed we leave some cash. Jeff donated his Nalgene to protect the goods and we stashed the new register in the ice can stove. If your the first here after us please sign the book and congrats on the 50 bucks. 

Moon rising over Borracho

Included in my track below for download was a side trip we took exploring the western ridge to Cobblestone mountain. You can basically take off right from camp and head up the hill. We pondered the notion of taking it all the way to the peak however after about a half mile the Ceanothus gates of hell slammed shut on us. But that didn't matter we thoroughly enjoyed the morning walk and were gifted with incredible views of the Agua Blanca Drainage. Highly recommend that anyone reading this take the same path. Real pretty up there. 

Climbing the western ridge of Cobblestone Mountain

After a fine couple of nights it was time to head on out the same way in which we entered. The elevation gain from Borracho back to the Buck Creek trail is approximately 1,675 feet in just over a mile. Add another 1200' or so with some up and downs back to the Summit of Sewart and you got yourself a real good climb. I can't remember exactly but I want to say it took around 3 hours to get back to the car. To Kim Coakley and Jeff Wright I appreciate you both, cant do these camp restorations without your assistance. Thanks gentlemen. I'll end with this I hope others continue to use this camp going forward. I see no reason not to now that a very reasonable route has been shared here to a great little spot with year round water that you can enjoy I'd bet exclusively all to yourselves. Much of the traffic across the Los Padres gets concentrated in the same areas, on the same trails. There is so much more out there to experience if your willing to get off the beaten path. If your on the fence don't be, just go for it.

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Upper Buck Creek & The Hunt For Divide

Upper Buck Creek Trail-head with Cobblestone Mountain looming afar. 

Back in December of 2018 we did a reconnaissance of the lower section of the Buck Creek Trail which you can read about here. Without making it all the way to the upper camp my conclusion at that time was that the lower camp was the original forest service site. Well I have since changed my mind. Finally visiting the upper camp adjacent the spring and since that earlier writing acquiring older versions of LP recreation maps I am now fairly confident the upper site was the first. Not that any of this matters to most but at least I'm setting the record straight. To make this a loop trip and even more exciting we dropped in on the old ridge trail that once connected the elusive Divide Camp with Upper Buck Creek Camp. After spending one night at Upper Buck we exited the next morning along 18W01 as it currently runs today.

1937 Los Padres National Forest Recreation Map showing Upper Buck Creek Camp near the spring. Notice there is no lower Camp closer to Piru Creek as can be seen on more modern maps

1950 Los Padres National Forest Recreation map showing part of our route with green being the drop into Buck along the old ridge route and red the exit along 18W01. While I certainly don't have them all I've not seen Divide Camp appear on any other LP Rec maps aside from this one. 

Upper Buck Creek Trail-Head - N34° 38.297' W118° 55.196'

After the long drive up Alamo Mountain we took off from Upper Buck Creek TH in route toward the Summit of Sewart Mountain. Downed trees along this short stretch could really use a good chainsawing as it is  just outside the wilderness boundary. In less than a mile you reach the Summit of Sewart. The views atop this mountain are pretty bad-ass, there is a small register can hidden in the prominent rock pile.

In Route toward Sewart Mtn

Cobblestone Mountain as seen from Sewart.

More Sewart Views.

Snowy Peak

Looking down on Pyramid Lake from Sewart Mountain

After a quick break atop Sewart we continued east dropping down to connect with the Big Cedar Creek Trail 19W05. It is precisely here at the 1.5 mile mark that Big Cedar and Buck Creek 18W01 junction together. The right turn for Buck is faint and easy to miss. Would surely help to have a sign installed here. For the majority of those wanting to visit Upper Buck this would be your turn off. Hoping to find evidence of Divide and having decided on the alternate route down we skipped the turn off and continued along 19W05. 

Buck Creek & Big Cedar Creek Trail Junction. - N34° 38.315' W118° 53.999'

Lupines blooming all along Big Cedar Creek.

Old trail to Divide Spring. - N34° 38.626' W118° 53.789'

A half mile from the Buck junction is where we would exit 19W05 as seen in the photo above. Faint signs of the old trail leading up this ravine were plentiful. Within a short distance of between .1 and .2 of a mile we Located two flat areas that may have been the location of Divide Camp. Both flats had fire ring remnants and piles of rusted old cans. The spring adjacent the flats was flowing well. I have marked all the relevant information on the map at the bottom of this post with Downloadable GPX and KMZ files. Another note if you can I recommend viewing my blog posts from the desktop as the mobile photo views just kinda suck. Though you can always click on any picture to enlarge them. 

 Divide Camp Possibility #1 -  N34° 38.587' W118° 53.730'

Divide Spring

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 Divide Camp Possibility #2 - N34° 38.516' W118° 53.713'

At this second flat location is where the old trail departs down the ridge. Upon first glance it appears really thick and sorta impenetrable however if you hug the North side of the ridge where some of the tread is still visible it is a lot more open and easier to navigate. Deviate from this path and it becomes a nightmare. We picked our way down slowly enjoying the views and the wildlife interactions. 

Jeff ducking branches coming down the ridge.

This big guy wasn't bothered by us in the slightest. 

Dropping into the upper Buck Creek drainage. 

Just before fully dropping into the drainage things get ugly. Sorry no real good way around it, it's thick down here. There are some open areas before reaching the Camp but you will do a good amount of bushwhacking as is to be expected when traveling decades old routes. Luckily the distance is short. Just put your head down and bulldoze. Traversing the higher right side of the valley through this section helped a lot. About .4 of a mile above the Camp is another spring with reliable water. I have labeled it Upper Buck Spring #2. That being said if you made it into camp and the adjacent spring was dry it would be a bummer to have to bushwhack back up to the higher spring. I might first try my luck at heading downstream to more reliable water from Buck Creek. 

Yeah that's pretty thick

Nicer open area leading toward camp.

Upper Buck Spring #2. What was amazing was the amount of water dumping out here yet going straight underground and not at all flowing further down the drainage. Quite a sight. -  N34° 38.236' W118° 52.499'

You'll do well to walk this higher right side of the drainage and out of the real thick crap. 

The last mile proved to be a bit slow going but we finally arrived at Upper Buck Camp. This secluded and well shaded flat sits under cover from large oaks and conifers. The little compound has a lot going on which wasn't quite apparent at first until we dropped pack and gave it a good search. Getting in was less than 5 miles and we could have made a long day of it though I'm happy we didn't as we most likely would have been rushed and not discovered the old ice can stove and other hidden features. Besides the short stint up to Sewart at around 6800 feet elevation the rest of the way drops steeply downhill bottoming out around the 4200' mark.  This site was one of the last wilderness camp surveys I had left to complete for MPRD. I very much enjoyed the night I spent here and do look forward to returning sometime for a top to bottom shuttle From Upper Buck TH down to Hardluck.

Here's a before and after picture of what is most likely a newer user created site right off the old trail. We brought the ice can stove from where it was hidden down in the ravine up to the site and built a bench from deadwood. I'd say we left the place nicer than we found it. Notice the no longer legible plywood sign in the tree. - N34° 38.251' W118° 52.150'

I left no register this time. Instead signed in on the piece of deadwood used to construct the bench. For the record I would never advocate carving into anything living or historical. If this pisses you off one I don't care and two just know that it must be more environmentally friendly than me leaving a blue can filled with paper and pens. Please do not email me complaining about it.

Paperwork, there always seems to be paperwork.

The Spring at Upper Buck Creek Camp - N34° 38.265' W118° 52.164'

Thousands of Ladybugs by the waters edge.

Metal sign in the tree northeast the plywood sign - N34° 38.251' W118° 52.137'

These photos show what was most likely one of the original sites. Pictured above and below the intricate rock wall structure and fire ring. N34° 38.235' W118° 52.133'

Original position of the ice can stove - N34° 38.268' W118° 52.156'

Third fire ring nearer the ice can stove and lean-to second rock shelter - N34° 38.266' W118° 52.142'

Second rock wall shelter with lean-to built up around it

Zoom in to see the rad little baby California Mountain King snake found down by the spring. 

I suspect this was once a well used camp. We found many antique bottles and various old rusted cans. The location is great and some of the clearest & best tasting water in the LP comes from Buck Creek Before the trails leading in and out went to shit one can see this was most likely a happening spot. I really wish more effort would go into maintaining the Southern Los Padres and for that matter not being able to drive to the lower Buck Creek TH is ridiculous. It's one thing not to resurrect Hardluck for the sake of the Arroyo Toad but for crying out loud please give us back the trail-head access. This would help alleviate pressure on the same trails people use and abuse over and over again. 

Higher on the western side of the drainage 

As was the case with the previous day getting out of the Buck Creek drainage even along the current 18W01 is a pain in the butt. The first .3 of a mile sucks. Major Bushwhack. To get out of the brush we made haste away from the trail and onto to the higher western portion of the drainage where it opens up a little more. In fact if you look at the track you see an abrupt right turn, that was us saying alright enough of this brush choked gully. Luckily this is again a very short distance. Once out of the thick stuff it's not bad at all. Climbing out before reaching the dry pond the trail shows on different sides of the drainage depending on what map your looking at. We found the west side to be just fine in fact switchbacks and plenty of tread will lead you up and out. 

When you pass these you'll know your on the right path.

Dry Pond just before reaching the ridge, you'll push through some brush here and then it's wide open. Apparently this was being used as a campsite at one point as remnants of a fire ring and makeshift bench can be found near the center. - N34° 37.694' W118° 52.734'

After popping out from the pond the rest of the trail is wide open and in decent shape along the ridge. Closer to the Buck/Big Cedar junction there are faint areas that will require pushing through brush and a few downed trees but nothing really to fret over. It's a beast of a climb but affords great views of Cobblestone, Snowy, White Mountain and of course my favorite a glimpse down 19W12 into the Borracho vicinity.

Wide open ridge top along 18W01

Fairly certain this post marks what was once the 19W12 connector leading to Borracho - N34° 37.797' W118° 53.554'

A look down toward Campo Borracho.

Loving that purplish blue color

Upper Buck Creek Trail-Head in the distance.

Beat up old gate on the western flanks of Sewart.

We left the camp around 7:30 am and were back to the car within 4 hours arriving just before 11:30. Total mileage for the loop came in at around 10. This trail desperately needs maintenance especially the half mile stretch into and out of the camp. This is an outstanding hike and can be an even better destination with a little volunteer effort. Maybe the next time I return it will be with tools in hand on a trail crew. 

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