Dough Flat Trail 4/22 1164. Continuing along Sespe River Trail, about half-mile west of the Johnson Ridge Trail intersection, Sespe River Trail arrives at Coltrell Flat. At Willett Hot Spring there's a good repair near the foot of the side trail, but another hairy traverse higher up. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. Update from a trip dec 17-18. To access the trail, there are three different starting points. Alder Creek Indian Cave and Sespe Hot springs Hike from Dough Flat To ALder Creek cave and camp 8 miles first day. Top. When visiting the Los Padres always remember to pack extra water for any trip! Went only from Piedra Blanca Trailhead downstream to Oak Flat, with camp at Bear Creek, check of Kerr Spring and other off-trail hikes. Sourdough Ridge Washington Trails Association We've seen backpackers have to drop crosscountry down to the Sespe here as well in years past. For more information, please visit, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. At the Expect to get knee to thigh deep depending on height. Starting from the parking lot at Piedra Blanca, the trail quickly drop down to the river crossing, after the crossingLion Creek and Sespe Creek is the Gene Marshall Piedra Blanca trail junction. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. The pools in the hot creek are full of gravel, mud and algae again because the rain caused a lot of debris from the surrounding hills to flow into the hot creek. curtis wayne wright jr wife. Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Im 52 so take that into consideration. Sespe is the best! The mere sight of the words had me giddy. Sespe River Trail - Los Padres National Forest We'll update this page if and when it reopens. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. From Shady Camp to the high point of the trail at (34.5781, -118.9624) there are signs of recent brush clearing work. Sespe Creek has some great swimming holes, but a 16 mile trek to the hot springs might be a bit much when it's 100 degrees outside. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. However, the easiest (Piedra Blanca) has been closed due to fire damage since December of 2017. The 11-mile Alder Creek Trail from Dough Flat to Sespe Hot Springs is exceptionally mouthwatering. We received a report from the Sespe Trail from a couple who hiked from Piedra Blanca down to Willet. Squaw Flat Road EASY 2.0 mi. Initially the hikers were not located. pigella miraculous ladybug power. Photo by Anna Roth. 4 Southern California Hot Springs for Backpackers Only Post by Kim_S Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:22 pm. Following along the Sespe Creek Trail, there are several more campsites accessible a day's walk from the trailhead. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs - mohanvilla.com First is Oak Flat Camp (2600 feet) (7.4 miles from trailhead). Within the Los Padres, D13 covers the Mt Pinos Ranger District east of Hwy 33 and the Ojai District north and east of Sespe Creek. Did this over 3 days Friday - Sunday. Once at the hot springs, we used some shovels others had left behind to dig out built up sediment and create some pools. Open daily 9am - 4pm The camp is situated under several large oaks and has a fire ring. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. From the Dough Flat Trailhead, you will enter the Sespe Wilderness within mile. We provide tools and tips to discover I happen to enjoy hot springs without clothes also, and typically only around friends, but this was a very different vibe. Sespe Hot Springs can be gloriously . see pictures. The trail will take about 5-7 hours of hiking round trip, as the elevation gain is moderate. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs +1 (760) 205-9936. Fairly cold still at night and in the morning but perfect during the day. Just after Coltrell Flat the third trail juntion is with the Johnston Ridge Trail (20W12). FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Here a side trail crosses the creek and arrives at Willet Camp. There was stagnant water at Bear Creek, although I recommend pushing on to Kerr Springs for cleaner water (still not moving). Share sensitive information only The trailhead at Dough Flat is reached from Fillmore by way of Goodenough Road and unpaved Squaw Flat Road. Day 1 made it all the way to Sespe hot springs which was rough. OVERVIEW Sespe Hot Springs at its source produces water upwards of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Tough spot for stock near Kerr Spring because of narrow trail and big step. (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District Length23.2 miElevation gain4,419 ftRoute typeOut & back A camp at Coltrell Flat can be found under the oaks. Got stalked by a mountain lion who stomped around camp and grunted at us all night. This hike is very difficult. At these levels, on a 6'3" guy, the first river crossing at Bear Creek was thigh deep and moving quickly. Use caution when travelling during the wet season due to the potential of flash flooding. There are parts of the trail that are frozen, parts that are dry and parts that are VERY MUDDY. Dough Flat: 34.480807, -118.916874. How is the water level in the river, it was already fairly low in mid April wanted to get out again soon, dry and hot Sespe hot springs were so relaxing worth every step! Usually rangers leave shovels by fire pits but I didnt see any along the way. Only came across 3 other groups in 3 days. 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. It starts right at the tree you have to limbo under. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. Turn right into Squaw Flat Forest Rd/ 6N16 (you can't turn left anyway). Coltrell, a corruption of Cottriel, is the former site of George Cottriels homestead. Haven't been to Sespe Hot Springs before. We did have to park at the gate and hike to the trail head about 2.5 miles since it isn't open yet. We also headed out to fix the slide that occurs on the side of the mountain coming out of the saddle and down into the Sespe. Using a pickmatix, we worked to open up the footing and widen it to ensure safe passage. Route 89 Johnston Ridge 20W12 and Sespe Hot Springs. North of Tar Creek and west of Dough Flat Rd is in the Condor Sactuary where public entry is not allowed. Volunteers have also been busy working on the far southern side of the Sespe with trail days focused on the Agua Blanca, an upcoming reroute of the Pothole Trail and scouting for future projects working from Dough Flat to Sespe Hot Springs. A rusted brown, bullet riddled sign offered us two paths continue on to Alder Creek Camp and Dough Flat, or veer south and down the Sespe Creek, 15 miles to the appropriately named Devil's Gate. more details below. There were several vehicles up there in addition to ours. The Sespe Condor Sanctuary portion of the wilderness is closed to the public. Calleguas Creek. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. 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). Los Padres National Forest - Dough Flat Trailhead - Alder Creek Trail 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. Water sources were sparse with a small stream before Oak Flats Camp and then another a mile after Willet. 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. There are several well marked turnoffs along Rose Valley Road leading to nearby Rose Valley and Middle Lion Campgrounds. Find your route along the river and join the trail where it comes down to the river as well. Too hot to dip, and no built out pools. Lots of trash and horse poop. At about 13.75 miles from Dough Flat and 10.5 miles from the Piedra Blanca trailhead, the trail arrives at Hartman Camp. . We picked the hottest day of a heat wave to attempt this hike, and I cant blame Sespe for that. We broke it up in 3 days. Sespe River is extremely low, very stagnant, & even with water filtering tasted like death. 0, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center Sespe was flowing well with crossings knee to thigh deep. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. Visit the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Website, Tread Lightly! Below is a list of the biogeographic regions within Ventura County I have developed for the flora, listed alphabetically, with many local placenames associated with the bioregion included: Agua Blanca Creek. Reply Delete. Got five blisters. Hiked to Willet's. Cross the riverbed and head down-stream (east) on the old road. On our hike back, on Monday, we ran into 7 Ventura sheriffs on horse back that said they were out there looking for pan. I hung around to make sure they werent feeling threatened and heard them all chatting and the women laughing, so I felt ok leaving. This trail is called the Sespe River Trail, and it is the most-traveled trail due to its campsites and water sources. Lots of dug out pool choices at Sespe, lower pools are cooler than the upper, naturally. Length 37.3 kmElevation gain 1,347 mRoute type Out & back 5 miles to the Piedra Blanca trailhead. Bugs were relentless. (831) 667-2315 Sespe Hot Springs | Outdoor Project Beautiful hike!! 3505 Paradise Rd. Mutau Flat is a meadow in Ventura County and has an elevation of 4,806 feet. This is a difficult one way trail to Sespe Hot Springs in Sespe Wilderness. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. The second trail called Johnson Ridge Trail is the second option at 9.5 miles one way. Link: Sespe River Trail : Date: 05-15-2019 : Surveyor Name: Daniel J. Overview. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. Borracho Spring. Matilija Gorge 2/21 Size 16 X 20 1028. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS No conditions reported in the past 7 days. One can still find what looks like the fireplace left from the homestead. The Squaw Flat Road (Forest Route 6N16) provides public access to a trailhead at Dough Flat east of the corridor. Continue northward here until a Montecito Trails Foundation sign (0.45 mile, 850', 257415E 3815691N) directs you to the right (east) off the road to follow a small stretch of trail that then curves right to rejoin the road rather quickly and then cross Hot Springs Creek (0.5 mile, 860', 257448E 3815684N). You can also go down Alder Creek and take the Sespe back to Tar Creek or Devil's Gate. Sespe Fire Brake 3/21 Size 26 X 21 1027. Matt Kettmann. The trail is amazing, but it was hot & miserable with minimal shade. next trail junction is 2.7 miles. We saw a number of snakes, they were mellow just walked around them cautiously. The south facing slope is sparsely vegetated and I never found myself on an uncomfortable slope. The hot springs are amazing and camping spots are nicely spaced with plenty of pools. Dough is. In the summer months, water is normally very low This route passes by the disappointing Willet Hot Springa rubber cistern in the ground that's filled with algaeas it follows the Sespe Creek. The camp is near the former homestead of Jaklin Willett, who developed the property during the late 1800s. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! The Squaw Flat Road (Forest Route 6N16) provides public access to a trailhead at Dough Flat east of the corridor. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Make a right at the signed junction for Rose Valley (and Piedra Blanca). Thirty-one miles (50 km) of Sespe Creek is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River and National Scenic Waterway, and is untouched by dams or concrete channels. There are no downed objects or other navigation hazards. The river is considered one of the best trout fishing streams in Ventura County. Try this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. And, since it's a parking lot/trailhead it is not a "public street" and prohibited under the general prohibition. The creek starts at Potrero Seco in the eastern Sierra Madre Mountains, and is formed by more than thirty tributary streams of the Sierra Madre and Topatopa Mountains, before it empties into the Santa Clara River in Fillmore. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. . December 15th April 30th. No fee to park. Camping in the Sespe Wilderness is free and doesn't require a backcountry permit unless you plan on making fires, in which case you will need a fire permit. This is a top spot in my book enjoy! I was bitten somewhere in one of those two locations. King City, CA 93930 Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS Length 32.4 miElevation gain 4,012 ftRoute type Out & back If you go North through Filmore up goodenough road it dead ends into some BLM property, looks like you can hike in there or take a dirt road to squaw flat road and go through the whole southern part of Los Padres in D13. Can anyone compare Sespe hot springs routes? : socalhiking - reddit Trail Description: We set out somewhat early (7:30 am) on the Sespe River Trail. This is the perfect time to hike this trail. Flowing out of a large southern California wilderness, Sespe Creek is a major tributary of the Santa Clara River in Ventura County. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. It's 1-2 hours to the trailhead from LA. Sespe Hot Springs is an actual creek, with no permanent human-built tubs or pools, around 16 miles from the trailhead. Picked up as much extra as I could fit in my pack. From the Shady Camp turnoff, it is This section of trail is just upstream from Kerr Spring and was reworked about 5-7 years ago. There are 3 ways to access the hot springs: 1. Great hike experience. Rattlesnakes are out and angry. December 15th - April 30 th . -Sunblock, shade is not common and probably every 3 miles so make sure you bring a hat and sunscreen. From uphill side, Slide @ (34.5798, -118.9647). Someone has left a large tarp in the middle of the camp. Because the optimal way to walk the GMT is from north-to-south (the other direction involves a 3,000 foot ascent of the southern, sun exposed ramparts of the Pine Mountain ridge), we dropped a car Lion Campground where the Sespe Trail begins and then drove up the Maricopa Highway to the trailhead near Reyes Creek and Camp Scheideck. This trail goes by Dough Flat Trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs. Wilits hot springs was the fav. I added a pic of the man, in his purple robe, in the photos. To get to the Piedra Blanca trailhead from Ojai, take State Route 33 north and continue past Wheeler Gorge. 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. From the trailhead at Dough Flat it's about 7.5 miles along Alder Creek Trail to Sespe River Trail. This trail is called the Sespe River Trail, and it is the most-traveled trail due to its campsites and water sources. 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. Upper Sespe 2/22 1165. way. Posted in Condor Trail, Sespe Wilderness, Trail Reports. Monte Arido Trail 3/22 1159. Not the best time of year to do this trail. Follow the ridge down to the river. 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. 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. Big Narrows. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. kill the process running on port 1717 sfdx. Best if you're headed west since it's downhill. This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains.