Murrieta Trail Camp - Day Hike with Overnight Camping Option

After two consecutive beach hikes, we've had several requests to get out in the boonies again, so here's an easy 4 mile round tripper that makes an ideal day hike or an easy overnighter.
Murrieta Trail Camp lies near the western end of Matilija Canyon below Old Man Mountain on a bench above Matilija Creek. The camp was named for our legendary local bandito Joaquin Murrieta. Local lore has it that foxy old Joaquin took advantage of the trail running west from Ventura through Matilija Canyon, out to the ocean and north toward Santa Barbara. Supposedly, if a posse came from Ventura he would flee up the coast and if the posse came from Santa Barbara, he would head east into the Ojai hills. Not sure if that is gospel, but it makes a great story.
The trailhead to the camp is located at the west end of Matilija Canyon Road and beyond the private preserve / sanctuary located there. Murrieta Camp lies in a verdant grotto of Oaks and Sycamores in a wooded area above a spring. A beautiful shady place to take our lunch break and a peaceful spot for camping overnight. This is a "primitive trail camp", so other than a fire ring and nearby spring, there are no facilities.
As usual, some overnighting members will have water filtration gear available to demonstrate and treat water needed by others.