A User’s Guide : GETTING AROUND THE LAKE

The most compelling portions of the lake are its coves and narrows, accessible only by boat.

Santa Felicia Cove, the largest, is situated on the southeastern shore and has sub-coves and a wide variety of vegetation, including massive oaks that in some places loom above the water and create wonderful retreats. One can easily spend a day parked in Santa Felicia’s numbing quiet, which is broken only by the occasional cow moo onshore and thriiiip-creak! calls of osprey that dive, loonlike, on one side of the boat only to emerge 50 feet on the other.

Continuing north on the east face of the lake are Skiers, Cow and Diablo coves, all with distinct configurations though far smaller and somewhat gentler than Santa Felicia.

At high water levels--and this year’s rains have assured them--travel north and watch the lake’s walls converge into the Narrows, the point at which Piru Creek feeds the lake.

To the east are magnificent striated, sheer cliffs rising more than 200 feet, set in relief by sharp, serrated buttresses of land that have withstood the forces of water. Perhaps no better view of these cliffs is available than from a small nook on the west side of the Narrows, facing east: As the sun sets, light is thrown by the rock faces upon the water, once again adding new colors to Piru’s already protean palette.

BOATING

A five-lane ramp is available for launching craft from 12 to 26 feet in length. Smaller craft, except those in the kayak and canoe area, are prohibited, as winds at the center of the lake may easily gust waves into whitecaps. Rental of 44 boats, most of them small outboard aluminum skiffs, are available at the marina ($25 for the first hour, $5 each additional hour, $50 maximum for the day, $50 deposit), as are five pontoon boats ($125 per day) that accommodate larger parties and offer cover from the sun.

FISHING

The marina stocks a full bait shop, with gear, lures and soft drinks and beer available. Varieties fished regularly: rainbow trout, brown trout, northern black bass, catfish, bluegill, sunfish, crappie.

CAMPING

There are two distinctly different campgrounds. Olive Tree Camp runs up a mountainside to the west of the lake’s only road, offering nearly 200 terraced, olive-tree shaded sites--a few with views of the lake.

Below the road, closer to the lake, is Oaks Camp, featuring fewer sites beneath towering oaks and offering a beach-like feel. All sites have fire rings, grills and picnic tables; both campgrounds have modern restroom facilities, and hot showers are available. Fee: $16 per night. Notable amenity: A man with a golf cart drives around selling firewood.

PICNICKING

A vast grove at the base of Reasoner Canyon has dozens of tables, most with their own pergolas, all facing the lake.

HIKING

A looped trail system, with clear starting points from active areas of the park, does not exist--though this may be proposed in a revised master plan. But first-rate hiking does commence from the point at which Piru Creek feeds into the lake, reachable on foot by two miles of dirt road.

To the left is Agua Blanca, an excellent hike in its own right, or you can continue up Piru Creek to Ellis Apiary. All creek and canyon beds that form these hiking trails will lead into the vast Sespe Condor Sanctuary, immediately west of Lake Piru.

SWIMMING

Two beaches: In conditions of high water, such as this season, a small sand beach is situated immediately north of the picnic area. Piru’s larger beach, established in 1980, is one mile northward, toward the Narrows.

DINING

The park has a snack bar/restaurant with wraparound lookout. Representative fare: the Piru Special Burger consisting of two patties, Swiss cheese, mild green Ortega chili, with fries ($3.50).

WILDLIFE

Golden eagles, ducks, ospreys, turtles, blacktailed deer, bears, opossum, brush and cottontail rabbits, fox, skunks, garter snakes, rattlesnakes, bobcat.

DIRECTIONS

Take California 126 to Piru, then go six miles north on Piru Canyon Road.

FEES

Day-use entry/parking fee is $6, an additional $6 with boat in tow. Rentals and campsites are extra.