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Thorn Meadows Campground
7/1/2023 - Temporarily closed to vehicle access due to storm damage. Walk-in only until the road is repaired.
Jeffrey Pines and shaded camping area, high clearance vehicles recommended.
Elevation: 5,000 feet.
Facilities: 1 Pipe corral, No piped water, 4 stoves, 4 tables and 1 toilet.
Location: Located at end of the spur road, 9 miles south of Lockwood Valley and 23 miles west of Frazier Park.
Day hiking in the Thorn Point area:
Trail distance: 3.46 miles
Thorn Point is located in the Sespe Wilderness, within the Los Padres National Forest. About 20 miles southwest of Frazier Park, 90 miles from Los Angeles. This peak has a Lookout tower is very weathered has seen better days, but the tower can still be accessed via a small ladder. This is one of the last Lookout towers still standing in the Los Padres, it would be nice to see this tower restored. The tower gives you a 360 view that is very spectacular, best seen in early hours of the morning but is also a great place to watch the sunset. The Thorn Point trail has interesting rock formations, large pine tress, and views in all directions, the trail is good shape and easy to follow.
W. H. Thorn was an early day surveyor with the U. S. Geological Survey that mapped the central Ventura County area in 1905. Both the meadow, camp and point were named for him. During a drought cattlemen brought their cattle up to find feed and water. The Snedden Land and Cattle Company ran cattle in this area along Piru Creek.
Thorn Camp was established in 1961. At the camp there are 3 camp sites with tables and stove,one is across the creek. No water or toilets available. There is a public horse corral. The camp and meadow are located at the start of the steep horse Trail 21 W07 which leads from the end of the right fork of Grade Valley Road. The trails goes up the north tee of the mountain to reach the abandoned Thorn Lookout.
When the lookout was manned during the fire season a pack train of Forest Service mules made the trip carrying supplies, mail and water to the lookout person. The tower is in poor shape and no longer manned during the fire season.
At a Glance
| Reservations: | None. First-come, first-served. |
|---|---|
| Fees: | No fees required to camp |
| Open Season: | May - December |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Restrictions: | Current Fire Restrictions |
| Closest Towns: | Frazier Park, CA (23 miles) |
| Water: | None |
| Restroom: | Vault or pit |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Mt. Pinos Ranger District Office (661) 245-3731 ext. 0. Mon-Fri, 8-4:30. |
General Information
Directions:Take Forest Road 7N03C, for approximately eight miles south of the Lockwood Valley Road.
General Notes:
Thorn Point Fire Lookout
Activities
Campground Camping
Camping, hiking, horse riding and Hunting - access to Sespe Wilderness; Cedar Creek Trail, Pine Mountain Lodge Trail and Thorn Point Trail
| No. of Accessible sites | 5 |
Day Hiking
Trail distance: 3.46 miles
Thorn Point is located in the Sespe Wilderness, within the Los Padres National Forest. About 20 miles southwest of Frazier Park, 90 miles from Los Angeles. This peak has a Lookout tower is very weathered has seen better days, but the tower can still be accessed via a small ladder. This is one of the last Lookout towers still standing in the Los Padres, it would be nice to see this tower restored. The tower gives you a 360 view that is very spectacular, best seen in early hours of the morning but is also a great place to watch the sunset. The Thorn Point trail has interesting rock formations, large pine tress, and views in all directions, the trail is good shape and easy to follow.
W. H. Thorn was an early day surveyor with the U. S. Geological Survey that mapped the central Ventura County area in 1905. Both the meadow, camp and point were named for him. During a drought cattlemen brought their cattle up to find feed and water. The Snedden Land and Cattle Company ran cattle in this area along Piru Creek.
Thorn Camp was established in 1961. At the camp there are 3 camp sites with tables and stove,one is across the creek. No water or toilets available. There is a public horse corral. The camp and meadow are located at the start of the steep horse Trail 21 W07 which leads from the end of the right fork of Grade Valley Road. The trails goes up the north tee of the mountain to reach the abandoned Thorn Lookout.
When the lookout was manned during the fire season a pack train of Forest Service mules made the trip carrying supplies, mail and water to the lookout person. The tower is in poor shape and no longer manned during the fire season.