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Upper N.F. Matilija CreekConfluence with East Fork to Matilija Creek |
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Upper N.F. Matilija CreekConfluence with East Fork to Matilija Creek |
| SUMMARY | |
| Location: |
Los Padres National Forest, north of Ojai, California |
| Put-in: |
East Fork of the Upper North Fork (2200’). |
| Gradients: |
1) 280' |
| Take-out: |
Confluence with Matilija Creek (1600'). |
| NOTES | |
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The first time we did this creek (January 1998) some of the lower gradient sections could have used more water. In March 2005 we had a few more inches water and much better paddling. The drops tend to be boulder steps and it seemed even a little more water might have been better. In addition to the first mile, there is a steeper section that begins upstream of Matilija Camp where the creek does a hairpin turn through a resistant band of Matilija sandstone. Upstream of this north to south turn, while the stream is trending west, look for a free-falling ribbon falls high on the canyon wall on river right. (Not as a landmark; just to see it.) This is a congested, bouldery creek. There are innumerable discrete drops -- some good and some not so good. We boat-scouted nearly everything and had only about three short carries. The number of scouts and carries would increase with the flow. One of the portages was a really ugly drop in the lower section where a large boulder has fallen into a slot, creating sieves on either side, with some wood thrown in for good measure. This creek is not the same creek as the N.F. Matilija Creek. Both are tributaries of Matilija Creek, which is one of the major sources of the Ventura River. Related information: |
