. Oak Flat is reached by a side trail that crosses Sespe Creek to the south. Round Trip - 10 miles. Mutau Flat is a meadow in Ventura County and has an elevation of 4,806 feet. Another9.4 miles down the trail is Thacher Camp (2528 feet) which is sort of an overflow camp for Willet Camp and Hot Spring (2520 feet) (9.8 miles), as you continue on you will find Hartman Camp (2489 feet) (10.9 miles), and then Coltrell Flat Camp (2312 feet) (14 miles). There are no downed objects or other navigation hazards. Highlights on the trail include two nearby hot springs and the scenery along Sespe Creek. Off to the right (east and south) are Squaw Spring, Dough Flat, Pidgeon Flat, Cow Spring . If anyone wants more info, you can message me on IG @trailrunningdrummer. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. follow. Sespe River Trail - Length 16.8 miles one way. The elevation gain at certain parts is extremely tiring and some parts of the trail are overgrown. The road provided access to the hot springs as well as supported a number of car camping destinations before it was closed in the late 1970s. A mile west of Hartman, Sespe River Trail arrives at the turnoff for Willet Hot Springs. Enjoy this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Water is plentiful. If you fall here it is very bad. Share sensitive information only
Posted in Condor Trail, Sespe Wilderness, Trail Reports. There was minimal water on the hike in, however. SESPE WILDERNESS - More information on the Sespe Wilderness: www.wilderness.net, Maps: Tom Harrison - Sespe Wilderness Map or 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps (Devils Heart Peak). Many Trails listed may be unmaintained, always plan ahead, check weather report, know your risks and level of ability. Picked up as much extra as I could fit in my pack. Alder Creek Indian Cave and Sespe Hot springs Hike from Dough Flat To ALder Creek cave and camp 8 miles first day. Routes 26 and 27 Reaching the gate going down the creek meant you had survived the gauntlet. Sespe River Trail To Sespe Hot Springs [CLOSED] Hard 4.6 (259) Los Padres National Forest Photos (882) Directions Print/PDF map Length 32.4 miElevation gain 4,012 ftRoute type Out & back Bummer, this trail is closed. The water spicketts at Willett Camp were dried up as well. I was not bitten on my legs where I wore pants, nor on my feet, which were bare while I sat in the shade. The best thing to do is open up the rock dams and let all the gravel flow out of the filled in pools and then close them back up. Official websites use .gov A .gov
Also through the Creek area, it's easy to lose the trail. Continuing along Sespe River Trail, about half-mile west of the Johnson Ridge Trail intersection, Sespe River Trail arrives at Coltrell Flat. There are parts of the trail that are frozen, parts that are dry and parts that are VERY MUDDY. North of Tar Creek and west of Dough Flat Rd is in the Condor Sactuary where public entry is not allowed. Open in Spring, Summer and Fall and is within the Winter Seasonal Closure between approximately December 15th April 30th. Length23.2 miElevation gain4,419 ftRoute typeOut & back The park's rustic environment, reminiscent of old kampungs, also holds many . Here, where the trail was high above the high water line it was easy to follow. we pick the challenging route to Pioneer Basin. No fee to park. 2021Outdoor Project. Starting from the parking lot at Piedra Blanca, the trail quickly drop down to the river crossing, after the crossing Lion Creek and Sespe Creek is the Gene Marshall Piedra Blanca trail junction. The other access points are Dough Flat and Mutau Flat. -Arrive early. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. the tall man aboriginal spirit; metadata api request failed: component conversion failed: file_ended; caleb foote sandlot The trail will take about 5-7 hours of hiking round trip, as the elevation gain is moderate. Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. . We saw 7 snakes over the whole trip, none of them were rattlesnakes but other backpackers we saw said they did see multiple rattlesnakes. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. Some of the trail is super muddy and can be frosty (slippery) in the am to early afternoon. Hall: Trail description: From Piedra Blanca Trailhead downstream to Oak Flat, the trail is easy to find and follow, but with some brushy and rutted sections. Sespe River Trail follows Sespe Creek for roughly 20 of those miles as it passes through the Sespe Wilderness. , 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. Gate closed Saturday afternoon added 2.5ish miles to our hike to the hot springs (14.4 in) but gate was open when we returned Sunday- downloading this map recommended for places where trail easy to lose by river, hot springs really hot with two good size pools and a really nice palm oasis camp spot for many tents. All trail campsites in the Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest A total of 29 Sespe Wilderness Camps are currently available. The south facing slope is sparsely vegetated and I never found myself on an uncomfortable slope. These springs also issue forth from a rock wall, but the water is in a temperature range more conducive to soaking. Dough Flat Trailhead does not offer reservations through Recreation.gov. The Sheriff's Office activated the Fillmore and East Valley Search and Rescue teams to conduct a ground search. 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. Instead of starting at Dough Flat, I wanted to start at the Piedra Blanca trailhead (Lions Camp)and then camp at Willett Hot Spring, then Sespe Hot Springs, then in the Sespe Narrows, and finally camp at the Tar Creek / Sespe confluence. The water temp was about 106 degrees in the pool we chose. Lots of snakes, bugs and poison oak but the hot springs are worth it! see pictures. The Squaw Flat Road (Forest Route 6N16) provides public access to a trailhead at Dough Flat east of the corridor. Length 37.3 kmElevation gain 1,347 mRoute type Out & back 5 miles to the Piedra Blanca trailhead. 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. From uphill side, Slide @ (34.5798, -118.9647). We showed up in Fillmore on Sat, and drove up Squaw Flat road. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. next trail junction is 2.7 miles. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs [CLOSED], https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lpnf/alerts-notices/?aid=77373, Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. From the town of Fillmore in Ventura County, take A Street . It is folded and and it is held in place with a large rock. An adventure pass is required to park or camp in this part of the National Forest. I thought perhaps quail or dove, maybe even jack rabbit. -Shorts to willet but pants beyond. From downhill side. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. United States . Be advised, Willet is super popular and not much area to camp once you're at the spring. On Saturday, April 24th, I hiked out to Sespe hot springs from Pierda and upon arrival to sespe hot springs springs I was greeted by a man in a sleeping bag under the second grove of palm trees. Monte Arido Trail 3/22 1159. Because the pools are so shallow they are also much hotter. Replies. Many have crossed but I'm a chicken. The views are worth the price of admission. Traverse over to just below hill 3067. Frazier Park, CA 93225
Ventura River. The trailhead at Dough Flat is reached from Fillmore by way of Goodenough Road and unpaved Squaw Flat Road. 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. Shady camp is in good condition and shows signs of light use. The Squaw Flat Road (Forest Route 6N16) provides public access to a trailhead at Dough Flat east of the corridor. Blog Home Uncategorized dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. The trailhead is located at the Piedra Blanca parking lot, where you're required to have an Adventure Pass. 2. Prepare to get thigh high wet. Anyone ever scout around here? one mile from Alder Camp. From here, it's another 5 miles to the trailhead. But struggle ensued on the last few miles, when we ventured off-trail toward a hidden meadow shaded by black oaks known only to lifelong backcountry wizards like Coyote Dave, who grew up in nearby Fillmore. Once on the north side it can be hard to find the trail but once found it is in good condition until the junction with the Johnston Ridge Trail. Totally worth it. Its about 39.5 if you stop at Willett and climb to that pool. Day 3 packed up early and started hiking around 745am and got back to car around 2ish. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. Sespe was definitely more unique, much hotter (maybe 105) and lots of gnats that gave us lots of gnarly itchy bites. After crossing the saddle between the two, the first drainage crossing to the west is severely washed out and not safely passable. Categories . The first 10 miles of trails out to the creek crossing before Willett are clearly marked and well maintained. I recommend starting early and packing layers! Update 1-11: Rains have washed out the entry road about 10miles out. (805) 967-3481 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Lucia Ranger District
The river is considered one of the best trout fishing streams in Ventura County. We also smoothed out the slide as best we could, and we left the pickmatix wedged into the tree that sits on the left side of the slide area for others to use. Overall: . Post by Kim_S Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:22 pm. Just now finished a 4 day & 3 night trip. 378: Route 92 Agua Blanca 19W10. Sometimes the gate is locked and you have to walk an extra 5 miles to the trail head. Dough Flat to Sespe Gorge. I spent some time relaxing at Sespe Hot Spring, laying in the shade under some cottonwoods on a small foam mat. We attempted to cross, but the hillside is not stable and we turned around at the beginning where there is a bit of exposure (if one were to slide off the trail as they would go over a 15ft cliff). We parked at 7am on Friday and parking lot was 3/4 full. -Make sure to have an adventure parking pass (order online or pickup from big5/7-11) Sespe Trail 3/21 Size 19 X 24 1026. Ill be back and will take the other trail in instead. Overall great trip just wish we would have started a bit earlier to avoid the bit of night hiking we had to do. Hiking up to Sespe was long uphill climbing but not too intense. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. From Sespe River Trail, Johnson Ridge Trail follows Hot Springs Canyon north and arrives at Sespe Camp a half-mile later. Although no longer listed on some maps, this former car camping site, still has a stove and picnic table with cement foundations, neither in use, the later now crushed under a fallen oak tree.