The crossing back to the north side of the river has no clear route. Off to the right (east and south) are Squaw Spring, Dough Flat, Pidgeon Flat, Cow Spring . way. Not technically but the sun beating down on you all day definitely takes its toll. So, for a resplendent escape from the sprawl and bustle of the Los Angeles area, grab your backpack and bathing suit and hit the trail to explore these four incredible hot springs in Southern CaliforniaMother Nature's best day spas. Matilija Gorge 2/21 Size 16 X 20 1028. Getting from the start of Goodenough Road to the trailhead will take you about an hour. This trail goes by Dough Flat Trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs. It was admittedly a long-shot for most of the prospective volunteers a three-day mid-week sojourn via Dough Flat, that trailhead I last visited during last fall . Because of the distances involved, a visit to the hot springs is best done as part of a backpacking trip. Wilits hot springs was the fav. Many have crossed but I'm a chicken. Mutau Flat is a meadow in Ventura County and has an elevation of 4,806 feet. We made sure to keep our packs under our vestibules to make sure nothing could be stolen at night. I took that banking turn left toward Sespe Hot Springs too, leaving that much smaller trail. The south facing slope is sparsely vegetated and I never found myself on an uncomfortable slope. Hot Springs Trail 3/22 1166. Alder Creek Camp - Ventura South Los Padres 2520 ft. Ventura County Ojai Ranger District Trail Camp Ant Camp South Los Padres 2700 ft. Ventura County Ojai Ranger District Trail Camp 341: . Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. I had read the 2/28 LPFA report of the dangerous section of trail that has slid just west of the saddle between Alder and Sespe. From Sespe River Trail, Johnson Ridge Trail follows Hot Springs Canyon north and arrives at Sespe Camp a half-mile later. There was poison oak but I think lots is an exaggeration at least at the bottom. one mile from Alder Camp. Both were in places where there has been historical slide damage: We were attempting to access sespe creek from dough flat trail head, but got turned around just after climbing out of alder creek on the sespe river trail. He's creepy as hell. Ocean View Trail #2 3/22 The most common way to get to Bighorn is to . 2nd day trip to sespe hot springs 8 miles round trip. (805) 968-6640 or (805) 448-6487, Mt. GPS is essential out here past Willett. A large colony of these can be found near the Gaviota Hot Springs. hidden hills gated community homes for sale Location ron cheats on hermione with lavender fanfiction dramione completed Kolkata (City Center 1) anne arundel county inspections and permits Saltlake Sector 5 (Megatherm/Pantaloon Building) no operations defined in spec swagger net core Saltlake Sector 5 (Webel More) The Dough Flat gate is locked from approx. We have plenty of things to worry about while backpacking and a potentially schizophrenic man that harasses people shouldnt be one of them. TheJohnston Ridge Trail leads to Mutau Flat and the Matau Trail. Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. The NF allows firearms use/discharge. (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District Follow the ridge down to the river. Bighorn Peak is a very adventurous hike that is located between Ontario and Cucamonga Peaks. The Mosquito Flat trailhead is at 10,000 and you have to go over Mono Pass at 12,000. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. Bighorn Peak stands at 8441 feet above sea level and offers great views of the Inland Empire, towards Santiago Peak, and the High Desert, although, not as great views as Telegraph and Cucamonga Peaks offer. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Lots of trash on this trail, especially at Willet, Night hiked in ,only got wet thru half the water crossings,roughly 10.Only 3 we're knee high.Camped at the Palm trees at Sespie Hot Springs,was real windy but hot springs were enjoyable..Trail was good.Over all was great trip. Some of the trail is super muddy and can be frosty (slippery) in the am to early afternoon. Sespe River is extremely low, very stagnant, & even with water filtering tasted like death. Sespe was flowing well with crossings knee to thigh deep. Alder Creek trail to Sespe Hot Springs Option Two: The junction of Tar Creek with the Sespe is a broad gravel flat and you should cross the river to begin your progress downstream along Sespe . Trails were pretty clearly marked but we did a few times find ourselves going a wrong way and having to backtrack. From the Junction with Alder Creek trail until Shady Camp the trail makes many crosses of the river bed and about 20% of the time is directly in the river bed. Best Season - Fall to Spring. Sespe River Trail follows Sespe Creek for roughly 20 of those miles as it passes through the Sespe Wilderness. There's very little legacy with regard to this trail designation, but it was for a time, anyway the label given that small bit of trail east of the Devils Gate (20W14) drop-in near Hot Springs/Sespe confluence that heads over the hump and down to Alder Creek (between Alder Creek and Shady camps). We received a report from the Sespe Trail from a couple who hiked from Piedra Blanca down to Willet. Turn right into Squaw Flat Forest Rd/ 6N16 (you can't turn left anyway). Be very cautious en route to trailhead. The site has a picnic table, fire pit, and nearby outhouse, each with its own cement foundation harking back to the days of when it was a car camping destination. Alder Creek trail to Sespe Hot Springs turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. The rain dec 10-12 has made some changes. Im guessing the parks district heard about all the trash along the trail and did something because it was really clean out there this weekend. Dough Flat Trailhead does not offer reservations through Recreation.gov. Bugs were relentless. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. If anyone wants more info, you can message me on IG @trailrunningdrummer. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail, Cow Spring via Alder Creek Trail and Sespe River Trail, Condor Lookout via Squaw Flat Road and Alder Creek Trail. Cold water is just down stream a bit for filtering. Day 1 made it all the way to Sespe hot springs which was rough. Trail is in typical good shape with a few sections that are being rutted by the rain (I think there are already pictures of those sections here on HLP). When Dough Flat Road is dry, you can drive a 2WD vehicle on the road. From the Dough Flat Trailhead, you will enter the Sespe Wilderness within mile. Hike 2.5 miles north to the Bucksnort Trail Junction. Continue west one mile to reach Cow Spring Camp.Continue 3.2 miles down to Alder Creek Camp. When my friends who left later than us, got back to service, they said they ran into the sheriffs and found out they didnt find him. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Posted in Condor Trail, Sespe Wilderness, Trail Reports. Round Trip - 10 miles. Hike north 2.5 At the worst part of the slide people have walked to the uphill side to climb over a small dead tree and root ball. Haven't been to Sespe Hot Springs before. Youll be drinking a lot from the stream so a good quick filter for that cold water is great. In contrast, going up to Willet was intense uphill but for a shorter distance. next trail junction is 2.7 miles. Get updates on conditions, surveys and more Los Padres Forest Association - 10-03-2015, Los Padres Forest Association - 02-28-2017, https://www.globosurfer.com/best-fly-fishing-rods/, https://www.globosurfer.com/best-camping-grills/, Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura, https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2022/01/middle-lion-to-piedra-blanca-via-little.html. The spring is in great condition - new robust plumbing giving a good flow, which means totally clear water in the tub, not the usual green liquid. see pictures. After originating above 5,000 feet (1,500 m) in the Sierra Madre Mountains in the northwest corner of the Ojai Ranger District, about 75 percent of the Sespe Creek subwatershed is characterized by numerous rugged slopes and canyon walls of the southern Pine Mountains. That left nearly 10 miles of trail with no water, from the aforementioned creek until you turn up the valley towards Sespe Hot Springs. Maybe an experienced individual could have found a way, but my group did not want to take the risk given the slope and apparent loose ground. The park's rustic environment, reminiscent of old kampungs, also holds many . until the trail leaves the drainage bottom, approximately In late April of this year, I received an email from the Ojai RD that a small crew was being assembled to slay some downed trees along the Alder Creek Trail in the Sespe Wilderness. KERR SPRINGS: The pictures pretty much tell the story. We only went to the second camp but the stream was beautiful. North of Tar Creek and west of Dough Flat Rd is in the Condor Sactuary where public entry is not allowed. Take extra water to Sespe Springs! We've seen backpackers have to drop crosscountry down to the Sespe here as well in years past. At about 14.75 miles from Dough Flat, and 9.5 miles from the Piedra Blanca, Sespe River Trail arrives at the junction for Red Reef Trail, which crosses Sespe Creek, and climbs south, away from the creek, passing near the Topatopa Mountains on its way toward the upper Ojai Valley. Download the GPS track to help you find your way. Then in good shape, with the above mentioned gillies, from Bear to Willet. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS This is a moderate one way trail in Los Padres National Forest. Vegetation still very green with lots of wild flowers., From Piedra Blanca Trailhead downstream to Oak Flat, the trail is easy to find and follow, but with some brushy and rutted sections. Tough spot for stock near Kerr Spring because of narrow trail and big step. No blowdowns across the trail. Sespe Creek flowing well, but crossings are easy to do. Captioned photos with more detail at http://tinyurl.com/yy32hc7v. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun (hat, sun glasses, sun protection creames, water, etc) Enjoy. 2 important notes: Trail in great shape; flowers are popping (esp. Rattlesnakes are out and angry. 0, Ojai Ranger District Enjoy your visit! I mentioned to my partner that I wondered if that was the person we had read about in all the reviews. This is a steep country road. Continue 3.2 miles down to Alder Creek Camp. Day 3 packed up early and started hiking around 745am and got back to car around 2ish. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. From this slide to the Sespe river there are a few other small slides but none pose nearly as great a hazard as the one above. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. United States . A search began by helicopter of the areas of Tar Creek, Dough Flats, Devils Gate, The Sespe Hot Springs, and all surrounding trails. We couldn't find the hot spring, but maybe we just needed to look more closely at the map. The 421-mile long through-hike route starts in the south at Lake Piru, traverses the southern and northern portions of the Los Padres National Forest, and ends at Botchers Gap in the Monterey Ranger District. Moderately difficult hike. Mercury getting into the act with Jupiter & Saturn, in the night sky. While we were hangin out he got up and walked to a hot springs where two women were soaking. Email:bigsurstation@gmail.com, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=81861, Forest Closure Order 05-07-00-23-02 - Public Safety, Forest Road Closures and Current Conditions, Pine Ridge Trail Sykes Hot Springs Trail Information, Forest Headquarters (Supervisor's Office), Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center. We saw 7 snakes over the whole trip, none of them were rattlesnakes but other backpackers we saw said they did see multiple rattlesnakes. Past the camp you will come to Kerr Spring, the first year-round water source, which is located .8 miles further from Bear Creek Camp on the south side of the river. Usually rangers leave shovels by fire pits but I didnt see any along the way. Add 2.5 miles or so to the hike because the access road may be closed getting to the trailhead. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat. King City, CA 93930 There are seven more river crossings before Sespe Hot Springs. In the summer months, water is normally very low The trailhead is about 70 miles northwest. Dry January has meant creek levels are down again, though you still cant dry cross. Sometimes the gate is locked and you have to walk an extra 5 miles to the trail head. . From the Piedra Blanca trailhead this same intersection is about 13.75 miles, which is why some people will choose Squaw Flat Road and the overgrown trail through Alder Creek drainage in order to save a few miles. Sespe Creek is one of two National Wild and Scenic Rivers in our local area, the other is the Sisquoc River in the San Rafael Wilderness. . pigella miraculous ladybug power. Expect to get wet crossing the stream. We did have to park at the gate and hike to the trail head about 2.5 miles since it isn't open yet. Snow in the mountains will melt and the creek will rise somewhat. LockA locked padlock Rincon Creek. . Hike 2.5 miles north to the Bucksnort Trail Junction. The most straightforward way is to hike 19.5 miles from the Piedra Blanca trailhead on the western side of the wilderness. 5. Plenty of camp area before you head up the climb though. miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward -Sunblock, shade is not common and probably every 3 miles so make sure you bring a hat and sunscreen. 366: Route 90 Dough Flat to Shady Camp via Alder Creek 20W11. Open daily 9am - 4pm December 15th - April 30 th . Sespe River Trail - Starting from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, this trail is 16.8 miles one way and is rated as moderate to difficult. Dough Flat: 34.480807, -118.916874. Not a whole lot to say here that hasn't been said already. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. Replacing my previous review with updated conditions. Trail from the last crossing of the Sespe River to Shady Campsite in mostly good but one section by the river badly overgrown and a landslide on the uphill making things dicey. Pack in /pack it out. Camp 2nd night at alder creek and hike out the 3rd day 8 miles back to Dough Flat trailhead posted by Howard Esteban @ 6:23 AM 0 Comments But if you want to go the shortest route, the Ojai Ranger District suggests starting your hike at the Dough Flat Trailhead, north of the town of Fillmore. -Have a good water filter. The Alder Creek Trail offers Wilderness access along a moderately difficult, nine and a half mile trail from Dough Flat to Sespe River. Mountain bikes are not permitted in designated wilderness areas. After crossing the saddle between the two, the first drainage crossing to the west is severely washed out and not safely passable. https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2020/12/horsethief-timber-canyon-camps.html, Lots of glass shattered on the ground and trash. For those interested in following the Condor Trail route through the southern Los Padres National Forest in a single, continuous hike, the Piedra Blanca trailhead can serve as a potential place for resupply support. Sespe Hot Springs offers a difficult, but rewarding hike. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. Big Narrows. on official, secure websites. I've been here many many times over the years and never had this happen to me before. It is brushy on the last drop down to Alder at Shady Camp. I found what I feel is a safe alternate (use at your own risk). It's not right that there's a shady guy lurking around out there bothering people and ruining what would otherwise be a really cool spot. Sespe Creek is one of two National Wild and Scenic Rivers in our local area, the other is the Sisquoc River in the San Rafael Wilderness. hot topic assistant manager job description; The trail is pretty open all the way to willet but past that you get a lot of leg scratchers. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Borracho Spring. Continue west one mile to reach Cow Spring Camp. Set up camp. The trail includes a number of camps along the way. I saw it along the entire trail. May 1, 2022 - Dough Flat Rd is open to the trailhead There is access to the Dough Flat Trailhead during the spring, summer and fall and is within the winter seasonal closure between approx. (831) 385-5434 ext. Adventure Pass is notrequired for parking at the Dough Flat Trailhead. Another route is from Dough Flat, following Alder Creek Trail to Sespe River Trail. It was reported this week as impassable, even making backpackers retreat rather than risk passing along the slide. The general deer hunting season in Zone D13 starts this weekend October 12 and lasts through November 10. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 13 h 26 min to complete. I said hello and he said hi and proceeded to stare into my soul with his creepy empty eyes. PINOS RANGER DISTRICTS CHAPTER 3 Western Santa Ynez Mountains Gaviota Peak via Gaviota Hot Springs Broadcast Peak via Tequepis Trail Lizard''s Mouth The Playground CHAPTER 4 Santa Ynez Recreation Area Snyder Trail and Knapp''s Castle Aliso Nature Trail Upper Oso Canyon to Nineteen . 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. Water is plentiful. Recreation.gov. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min to complete. We didn't see one single person. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, Alder Creek Trail is easily navigable with cairns and orange tape, but long sleeves are heavily recommended since it is overgrown in many places. Danilo and Gyorgyi with Sespe Creek in the background. This is a narrow rough Most people cleared out, as they do on Sundays, and we heard from somebody that they saw him walking back to willet. 406 S Mildred Ave Willett Hot Springs is about 10 miles from the trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs is about 6 miles further, past Willett. ( I used permethrin on my clothes and bug spray on my legs and did not find any ticks luckily, but there were a lot of small biting gnats once we got to the Sespe Hot Springs. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. In 2011, Anna, Kevin and I spent three days exploring Sespe Gorge in the Los Padres' Sespe Wilderness. There was much debate surrounding how to get there after we found out the gate accessing the eastern approach via dough flats is closed (and even if open otherwise apparently unpassable unless one has a robust 4wd vehicle), so the discussion congregated upon weather to do that approach (13 mi each way) or from the west . shake down cruises out of Dough Flat to Sespe Hot Springs and Alder Sespe; snow shoe trips in the Sierra Nevada; dashes through the Grand Canyon; hundred mile sections of the PCT in the Cascades; loops in Big Bend: I am proud to say I . The most accessible hike to Willett Hot Springs is the Sespe River Trail, which begins at the Piedra Blanca trailhead. The trail from Piedra to Sespe is about 14 miles, from Dough to Sespe is about 11 miles. There is no real cold stream coming down to mix with the hot creek anymore so you are left with shallow hot water in the whole canyon, was all too hot to soak. Summer is brutally hot and dry. Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. The Dough Flat parking area is adjacent to the public access corridor of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. . Recreation.gov is your gateway to explore America's outdoor The elevation gain at certain parts is extremely tiring and some parts of the trail are overgrown.