dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. Rattlesnakes are out and angry. Along much of Sespe Creek one will find various improvised camps reflective of the amount of usage the trail sees each year. trailhead you enter the Sespe Wilderness. 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 River Trail To Sespe Hot Springs [CLOSED], https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lpnf/alerts-notices/?aid=77373, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=STELPRDB5181410&width=full. Great mountain views the whole way, it got a lot hotter than we expected in April and we really enjoyed cooling off in the creek. Categories . Beautiful hike!! Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. There had been rain on Friday 2/10 and off and on during the day on Saturday with some of the side creeks dying the whole Sespe a chocolaty brown. Rest of trail to Coltrell Flats is pretty good but keep steady footing on the small track. The worst one is located here: (34.5798, -118.9647). Also known as Arroyo Sespe, Cespai River, Sespe River. Sespe Wilderness - Sespe Hot Springs | Wilderness Trip Report I'd planned to go on to Hot Spring Canyon but didn't want to ford the creek four more times in each direction, and I heard Hot Spring Canyon was washed out. Looking forward to do it again. This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains. 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. Trails were pretty clearly marked but we did a few times find ourselves going a wrong way and having to backtrack. Water crossings are about ankle to waist high. -Make sure to have an adventure parking pass (order online or pickup from big5/7-11) (805) 968-6640 or (805) 448-6487, Mt. you continue to the parking area at Dough Flat. What needs to be done now is several pools need to be dug out along the creek to allow the hot water to cool. Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Camp. We did this as an overnight, but it could definitely be split into a two night trip. 3. . Our group saw 8 snakes over 2 days, 4 of them rattlers. (LogOut/ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Enter your email address to subscribe to Songs of the Wilderness and receive notifications of new posts by email. Replacing my previous review with updated conditions. We picked the hottest day of a heat wave to attempt this hike, and I cant blame Sespe for that. There are 5 or 6 shovels along the trail so anyone who wants to dig out wet gravel after hiking 16 miles have at it! On our hike back, on Monday, we ran into 7 Ventura sheriffs on horse back that said they were out there looking for pan. So if you are planning a trip to that part of the Forest be sure to plan on an extra 8miles of road hiking/biking before you get to the trailhead. Anybody been to Dough Flats Trailhead lately? In the other vehicle(s) continue along the only open road for 5.5mi and 20min to the Dough Flat trailhead at 34 o 31.34'N 118 o 53.73'W. Pratt Trail 4/22 1162. Recorded time is mostly moving. that is a private gated community. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate; elevation, 2,225 to 3,700 feet. Plenty of camp area before you head up the climb though. From here, it's another 5 miles to the trailhead. ( No fee to park. We took a break at Bear Camp (4.3 miles in), made it past several creek crossings and reached Willett in about 4 hours. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. Oak Flat has two picnic tables and a fire ring. Mountain views Wildlife Good for kids Dogs not allowed Ridges/passes Parking Pass/Entry Fee National Park Pass by siketflow in socalhiking. Enjoy Your National Forests Safely Know Before You Go! This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Worst news of all is the december rains caused a lot of debris flows in the hot creek and all the pools are full of gravel. Climbing up from alder creek was relatively easy to follow, but overgrown near the saddle. Some bad news to report along the Sespe. Trail in good shape and easy to follow. I recently hiked from Piru (Pothole Tr) to Piedra Blanca. I would definitely go back. Climb the hill south of the saddle. Started at Dough Flat Gate. Johnson Ridge Trail - Begins from the trailhead at Mutau Flat, extends for 9.5 miles, and is rated as difficult. 2. He's creepy as hell. 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. Tar Creek forms part of the southern border of the Sespe Condor Sactuary and Dough Flat Rd forms part of its eastern boundary. https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2020/12/horsethief-timber-canyon-camps.html, Lots of glass shattered on the ground and trash. Bummer, this trail is closed. This is a narrow rough road traveled by large oil trucks so be very cautious as you continue to the parking area at Dough Flat. Where the trail has obviously been cleared it is wide open but where it has not been cleared a traveler needs to push aside some light brush to continue. There are several well marked turnoffs along Rose Valley Road leading to nearby Rose Valley and Middle Lion Campgrounds. Alter Creek Trail (Dough Flat to Sespe) Schwierigkeit mittel. When visiting the Los Padres always remember to pack extra water for any trip! Hiked the Sespe Trail from PB TH to Bear Creek with the Troop 111 Scouts on Good Friday. Water is usually only available here during winter and spring. 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. Image courtesy LPNF . 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. While we were hangin out he got up and walked to a hot springs where two women were soaking. At the FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 2. At the worst part of the slide people have walked to the uphill side to climb over a small dead tree and root ball. Great hike experience. The vehicle for that trip was a Honda Civic. 382: So, armed with Brennen's directions we headed out for six days of adventure on the Sespe. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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 . Sespe Hot Springs. Big Narrows. I mentioned to my partner that I wondered if that was the person we had read about in all the reviews. Along the . Bummer, this trail is closed. The third trail called Alder Creek Trail is the shortest . A camp at Coltrell Flat can be found under the oaks. Mud covered and rocky. 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), Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. Update 1-11: all entry roads are closed due to rains. follow. The Dough Flat gate is locked from approx. Solvang, CA 93463 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. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. 0, Ojai Ranger District We provide tools and tips to discover Add 2.5 miles or so to the hike because the access road may be closed getting to the trailhead. Squaw Flat Road EASY 2.0 mi. Got stalked by a mountain lion who stomped around camp and grunted at us all night. We did have to park at the gate and hike to the trail head about 2.5 miles since it isn't open yet. Posted in Condor Trail, Sespe Wilderness, Trail Reports. This is a wonderful camp located on a large sandbar with a swimming and shade from cottonwood trees. The pools were washed away, so my friend and I (mostly my friend) built one by scooping the shale and using the rocks to divert the cold river and the hot river for the perfect temperature. Home; Categories. . . Pinos Ranger District: 1-(661) 245-3731, Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. This route is about 12 miles one-way, and access to the trailhead is also closed . It used to have an annual Steethead Trout run but dam construction and drought years have ended these runs. An adventure pass is required to park or camp in this part of the National Forest. There was poison oak but I think lots is an exaggeration at least at the bottom. Route 89 Johnston Ridge 20W12 and Sespe Hot Springs. There is access to the Dough Flat Trailhead during the spring, summer and fall and is within the winter seasonal closure between approx. We received a report from the Sespe Trail from a couple who hiked from Piedra Blanca down to Willet. 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. After Oak Flat Camp the trail has another junction with the Red Reef Trail (21W08). Park in one of the parking spaces distributed around the trailhead loop at Dough Flat (elevation 2825ft). The temperature of the water from the hottest spring is in the 190 degree range and is unsuitable for soaking. I recommend starting early and packing layers! Las Virgenis Creek. 2. All downed trees were removed from Piedra Blanca to the Hot Springs junction. All in all, trail is in good shape, minus the abundance of swingin dongs at every other swimming hole. Once at the hot springs, we used some shovels others had left behind to dig out built up sediment and create some pools. Mercury getting into the act with Jupiter & Saturn, in the night sky. 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. I hung around to make sure they werent feeling threatened and heard them all chatting and the women laughing, so I felt ok leaving. Sespe River Trail is unshaded much of the way, so plan accordingly. Trailhead for the Sespe Hot Springs hike is way out here too. The Sespe River Trial proceeds down stream and is in excellent shape. I agree lots of trash out there. The nights are cold, cold cold. kill the process running on port 1717 sfdx. Sespe Creek starts in the mountains near, At about 14.75 miles from Dough Flat, and 9.5 miles from the Piedra Blanca, Sespe River Trail arrives at the junction for, This article originally appeared section A of the March 29th, 2013 edition of the, Trail Quest: Gene Marshall-Piedra BlancaTrail, Los Padres National Forest (current conditions), USGS Online Current and Historical Topo Maps, USGS Topo Maps for Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties, Santa Barbara Mountain Bike Trail Volunteers. Water levels were still good everywhere and plenty of greenery all around. Trail use and trail camps are on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations. Continue west along the creek .8 miles to reach the junction with Sespe River Trail (20W13). At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. After crossing the saddle between the two, the first drainage crossing to the west is severely washed out and not safely passable. Sespe River Trail To Sespe Hot Springs [CLOSED] - AllTrails.com Trail is in great shape. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. It rained often and was chilly in March when I went through in the upper 40s . At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. Is it too low in elevation for deer? I added a pic of the man, in his purple robe, in the photos. Getting from the start of Goodenough Road to the trailhead will take you about an hour. Sharing Our Trails - A Guide To Trail Etiquette, Forest Headquarters (Supervisor's Office) Sespe Hot Spring: 34.594545, -118.998812. In 2011, Anna, Kevin and I spent three days exploring Sespe Gorge in the Los Padres' Sespe Wilderness. Overview United States California Los Padres National Forest Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail Alder Creek is flowing well in most parts. Map Directions Satellite Photo Map Type: Meadow Location: Ventura County, Central Coast, California, United States, North America View on OpenStreetMap Latitude 34.62831 or 34 37' 42" north Longitude Trail is in good condition besides rock slide after crossing bear creek camp. 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. Find your route along the river and join the trail where it comes down to the river as well. (805) 967-3481 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Lucia Ranger District The hot springs are amazing and camping spots are nicely spaced with plenty of pools. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 13 h 26 min to complete.