Lilly Meadows – Sheep Camp

Mileage: Lilly Meadows – 3 miles

Sheep Camp – 6 miles

Elevation Gain: Lilly Meadows – 1075 ft.

Sheep – 3025 ft.

Trailhead: BSA Camp Three Falls

The Trailhead starts at BSA Camp Three Falls. If you plan on doing this hike during the summer when camp is in session, you must park outside the main gate. There is no overnight camping at Three Falls during summer camp season. The trail starts out a dirt road for the first 2 miles with an elevation gain of 575ft. The road ends at North Falls, a nice place to stop and check out the falls. From here you start a steep up the narrow canyon for 1 mile, gaining another 500ft. To Lilly Meadows. This campsite has plenty of room and water can be found from the nearby creek.

From here you continue up the canyon 1.5 miles gaining another 500ft. And crisscrossing the creek a half a dozen times. It’s a good idea to fill-up on water at one of these crossings, since this will be the last source of water until you reach Sheep Camp. From here it’ s all up hill. The trail starts it’s climb as you leave the creek and starts a steep 1.5 mile climb, gaining 1400ft. This part of the trail is grueling. A lack of switchbacks makes it a steady uphill climb.

In the summer when the weather is hot, this part of the trail will really test your endurance. Make sure you fill-up with water at Lilly Meadows or one of the creek crossings before you attempt the last 1.5 miles. Also make sure that everyone is drinking plenty of water on the trail.

Sheep Camp has water in the creek that is feed from a spring further up the trail (less than ¼ mile). With plenty of room, Sheep Camp is well worth the effort. It is the highest trail camp in the Los Padres National Forest at 8500ft.

Total trip from trailhead to Sheep Camp is 6 miles with a elevation gain of just over 3000ft.

See Ya on the Trail

 *NOTE: We encourage you to write an updated review of any hikes you take and submit them so that we may put together an up to date data base of treks that may be useful to other units looking for somewhere to go, either on a training hike or a long term. Please enclose as much information about the trail & campsites as possible.