Piru Creek
The creek drains an area of about 497 square miles (1,290 km2), making it the Santa Clara River's biggest tributary in terms of watershed size.[5][6] Thousands of years ago, Native Americans of the Chumash group lived in the area, but by 500 CE, their former territory along Piru Creek had been occupied by the Tataviam.[9] By the late 19th century, prospectors had discovered traces of calcite on Piru Creek in Lockwood Valley near Frazier Mountain, north of present-day Pyramid Lake.[12] Hiking, camping, off-roading and rock climbing are some of the recreational opportunities in the Los Padres National Forest that surrounds much of the Piru's course.[19] From 0.5 miles (0.80 km) downstream of Pyramid Dam to the Los Angeles-Ventura County line, Piru Creek in various sections is designated a National Wild and Scenic River.In the present day, the uppermost limit of natural fish spawning in the creek is below Pyramid Dam, where a cement culvert adjoining the remains of Highway 99 creates a 15-foot (4.6 m) waterfall.Piru Creek was once a popular spot for both fly fishing and bait-casting anglers as it contained both wild and hatchery-raised rainbow trout, along with largemouth bass.
United StatesCaliforniaVentura CountyLos Angeles CountyPiru, CaliforniaSan Emigdio MountainsSanta Clara RiverLake PiruRiver systemNational Wild and Scenic Rivers SystemstreamVentura County, CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaLos Padres National ForestreservoirsPyramid LakeCalifornia State Water ProjectPine Mountain RidgeSanta Ynez MountainscampgroundGormanPyramid DamCalifornia AqueductInterstate 5Topatopa MountainsHwy 99Cobblestone MountainSanta Felicia DamSanta Clara River ValleyState Route 126Chumash groupTataviamGaspar de PortoláMexican governmentRancho San FranciscoRancho CamulosYgnacio del VallecalciteDeath ValleyHikingcampingoff-roadingrock climbingNational Wild and Scenic RiverfishingHighway 99waterfallfly fishingrainbow troutlargemouth bassCalifornia Department of Fish and Gamecatch and releaseartificial luresSespe CreekSespe WildernessGeographic Names Information SystemUnited States Geological SurveyUnited States Department of the InteriorTopoQuestProtected areas of CaliforniaNational Park SystemChannel IslandsJoshua TreeKings CanyonLassen VolcanicPinnaclesRedwoodSequoiaYosemiteMojaveCabrilloCastle MountainsCésar E. ChávezDevils PostpileLava BedsMuir WoodsTule LakePoint ReyesRosie the Riveter World War II Home FrontSan Francisco MaritimeEugene O'NeillFort PointJohn MuirManzanarPort Chicago Naval MagazineGolden GateSanta Monica MountainsWhiskeytown–Shasta–TrinityCalifornia State ParksAhjumawi Lava SpringsAndrew MoleraAngel IslandAño NuevoAnza-Borrego DesertArthur B. Ripley Desert WoodlandBidwell–Sacramento RiverBig Basin RedwoodsBorder FieldBothe-Napa ValleyBurton CreekButanoCalaveras Big TreesCastle CragsCastle RockCaswell MemorialChina CampChino HillsClear LakeCoast DairiesCrystal CoveCuyamaca RanchoD. L. BlissDel Norte Coast RedwoodsDonner MemorialDos RiosEd Z'berg Sugar Pine PointEmerald BayThe Forest of Nisene MarksFort Ord DunesFremont PeakGarrapataGaviotaGreat Valley GrasslandsGrizzly Creek RedwoodsGrover Hot SpringsHearst San Simeon