dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs

The creek remains free from major habitat modifications and is noteworty for its lack of dams, although one was originally proposed for a site named Topa Topa near Sespe Hot Springs in the Sespe Wilderness. Be aware and give them space and youre fine. To get to dough flat hang right not straight. Willett Hot Springs can be visited as a long 19-mile day hike, or as a more reasonable overnight backpacking adventure. Visit the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Website, Tread Lightly! From here, it's another 5 miles to the trailhead. This is a wonderful camp located on a large sandbar with a swimming and shade from cottonwood trees. Non-native: PricklyPoppy: Argemone munita From there . Share sensitive information only 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. Ocean View Trail 3/22 1161. Agua Blanca Trail 2/21 Size 15 X 23 1029. After Bear Creek Camp crossings are thigh to hip deep, There were some washed out sections of trail that need a little work, but overall the trail was in good condition. If you stay to the left, the There was a small creek with fresh water just above the fork to the hot springs not a lot of volume, but enough to filter. The trailhead is located at the Piedra Blanca parking lot, where you're required to have an Adventure Pass. 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. sba-den_15.JPG by Doc Searls 1 If I'm reading this right, the gray mountain to the right is the home to Oak Flat and the condor release point. by siketflow in socalhiking. The drive from Santa Barbara is roughly an hour and a half. As long as youre prepared for elevation and give yourself enough time, its well worth the hike! During the 1960s and 1970s the road continued unpaved past the Piedra Blanca trailhead, through what was then Lion Campground, and followed Sespe Creek downstream to just before the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. The trailhead at Dough Flat is reached from Fillmore by way of Goodenough Road and unpaved Squaw Flat Road. (Next time will be adding another day to break it up). Sespe is VERY busy, & the last mile is full of poison ivy & poison oak. Went only from Piedra Blanca Trailhead downstream to Oak Flat, with camp at Bear Creek, check of Kerr Spring and other off-trail hikes. This route is about 12 miles one-way, and access to the trailhead is also closed . Overall, still a great trip! Recorded time is mostly moving. Blog Home Uncategorized dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. Past the palm trees, the trail arrives at the hot springs. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. Thank you for taking the time to visit Hike Los Padres. Trespass Trail 2/22 1160. . trailhead you enter the Sespe Wilderness. Following along the Sespe Creek Trail, there are several more campsites accessible a day's walk from the trailhead. The Dough Flat gate is locked from approx. Another route is from Dough Flat, following Alder Creek Trail to Sespe River Trail. It is brushy on the last drop down to Alder at Shady Camp. Its heat can be felt in the stream all the way through the foot of the canyon and the floor of the campsites that dot the trail are substantially warmer than sites located near the Sespe River Trail. However, because the flow of the springs fills the creek one need only hike back downstream until they find a pool to their liking. This hike is very difficult. LockA locked padlock At one point the trail was a forest service road that lead to Willets Hot Spring, after the wilderness protection act the road was closed to car traffic and only open for hiking and horseback riding. 47555 Highway 1,Big Sur, CA 93920 The other access points are Dough Flat and Mutau Flat. The next designated camp along Sespe River Trail is Oak Flat, about 7 miles from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Recreation.gov. The trail was a little hard to spot when crossing over some of the dried-out creek beds, but a trail crew was heading in as we left and I suspect they will make the route a bit easier to follow. Unfortunately the rain has done little to tamp down the biting gnats, though they are only an issue at the canyon of sespe hot springs. Image courtesy LPNF . 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. The Alder Creek Trail offers Wilderness access along a moderately difficult, nine and a half mile trail from Dough Flat to Sespe River. We got word this past weekend that the closure is 8miles before you get to Dough Flat. 2. Try this 32.4-mile out-and-back trail near Ojai, California. From the trailhead at Dough Flat its about 7.5 miles along Alder Creek Trail to Sespe River Trail. It is primarily within the southern Los Padres National Forest. 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. Along the . Map Information, Interactive Visitor Map: Los Padres National Forest, Forest Recreation Informational Brochures. Because the pools are so shallow they are also much hotter. It can be seen on the USGS 1:24K topographic map Devils Heart Peak, CA . Rain has made rocks fall like men on the trail after Bear Creek. Official websites use .gov A .gov From the Shady Camp turnoff, it is -Sunblock, shade is not common and probably every 3 miles so make sure you bring a hat and sunscreen. They grow in marshes and around hot springs in other parts of the county as well. 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. The Sheriff's Office activated the Fillmore and East Valley Search and Rescue teams to conduct a ground search. There was a lot of graffiti and vandalism at the trailhead. Trail is in great shape. Water is plentiful. 382: So, armed with Brennen's directions we headed out for six days of adventure on the Sespe. Sespe River Trail - Length 16.8 miles one way. Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Sespe Hot Springs can be gloriously . Haven't been to Sespe Hot Springs before. We saw 7 snakes over the whole trip, none of them were rattlesnakes but other backpackers we saw said they did see multiple rattlesnakes. The downhill side of this climb/rootball is the most dangerous part of the trail. Water along the entire stretch of the Sespe from Piedra Blanca to Alder Creek. Despite the dry river, the terrain was beautiful. Trail Description: We set out somewhat early (7:30 am) on the Sespe River Trail. Hiked from Piedra Blanca Trailhead down past Bear Creek. 1980 Old Mission Drive Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. This is the perfect time to hike this trail. The entire length of the Sespe River Trail has ten crossings of the Sespe River. I think Sespe hot springs is what you're looking for. If you fall here it is very bad. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS This is a moderate one way trail in Los Padres National Forest. Rose Valley Road continues east and dead ends at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. -The Sespe River Trail is WASHED OUT so Sespe Hot Springs is inaccessible. First is Oak Flat Camp (2600 feet) (7.4 miles from trailhead). Beautiful hike!! Sespe Hot Springs offers a difficult, but rewarding hike. (LogOut/ Kim_S Moderator Posts: 5102 Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:49 pm Location: San Diego. 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. We made sure to keep our packs under our vestibules to make sure nothing could be stolen at night. Camping this area is hot during the day and cold at night through the am. Not technically but the sun beating down on you all day definitely takes its toll. 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. Blog Home Uncategorized dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. The temperature of the water from the hottest spring is in the 190 degree range and is unsuitable for soaking. SESPE SADDLE: The trail heading from Alder Creek to the Sespe, just as you head West and crest at the Saddle the trail wraps around to the north with some pretty dramatic exposure. 3. United States government. We found hot springs that were about 105 degrees which seems hot, but you get used to it. Sespe is the best! Continue 3.2 miles down to Alder Creek Camp. Cow Springs is the first camp along the way. It's rated as a hard hike according to AllTrails. Just wondering if Pan is still out there? Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail The most accessible hike to Willett Hot Springs is the Sespe River Trail, which begins at the Piedra Blanca trailhead. At these levels, on a 6'3" guy, the first river crossing at Bear Creek was thigh deep and moving quickly. Major tributaries include the Lion Canyon, Hot Springs Canyon, Timber, West Fork Sespe and Little Sespe Creeks, although over 30 creeks and springs nourish it. You can also go down Alder Creek and take the Sespe back to Tar Creek or Devil's Gate. The more deep and dammed up pools that are built from the source and downstream, the more time the water has to cool and thus the more tolerable the pools downstream are to soak in. We received a report from the Sespe Trail from a couple who hiked from Piedra Blanca down to Willet. Very little water. 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 . Youll be drinking a lot from the stream so a good quick filter for that cold water is great. A short bushwhack away from the lazy-flowing Sespe leads into Hot Springs Canyon and a sulfur-scented nirvana. website belongs to an official government organization in the 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. I took that banking turn left toward Sespe Hot Springs too, leaving that much smaller trail. Day 2 headed back after a nice dip in the am and found a nice spot with beach like sand about 4 miles back from springs and a nice 6ft deep spot in the cold spring to beat the heat. Willett Hot Springs is 9.5 miles from the trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs is 15.5 miles away. In the summer months, water is normally very low and there is not much shade so it can be very hot. Sespe River Trail - Los Padres National Forest Trail Distance 18.73 Miles From Highway 33, travel east on Rose Valley Road to Piedra Blanca Trailhead. Routes 26 and 27 Reaching the gate going down the creek meant you had survived the gauntlet. Bummer, this trail is closed. way. Overall: . one mile from Alder Camp. Overview United States California Los Padres National Forest Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail I am covered in bites all over my arms, neck, and body which had been covered by my loose-fitting button-down shirt. 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 Length23.2 miElevation gain4,419 ftRoute typeOut & back A camp at Coltrell Flat can be found under the oaks. Rincon Creek. The Sespe Condor Sanctuary portion of the wilderness is closed to the public. To get to the Piedra Blanca trailhead from Ojai, take State Route 33 north and continue past Wheeler Gorge. Take I-5 north to CA 126 west; turn north in Fillmore on A Street-Goodenough Road for 141/2 jolting miles (high clearance or 4WD vehicle is recommended). Sespe is amazing! Continuing along Sespe River Trail, about half-mile west of the Johnson Ridge Trail intersection, Sespe River Trail arrives at Coltrell Flat. The views are worth the price of admission. . At the worst part of the slide people have walked to the uphill side to climb over a small dead tree and root ball. 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. 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). Be prepared, there is very little water this time of year. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The south facing slope is sparsely vegetated and I never found myself on an uncomfortable slope. pigella miraculous ladybug power. Sespe Wilderness - California Trail Map. Suggested Time - 5 hours. It rained often and was chilly in March when I went through in the upper 40s . May 1, 2022 - Dough Flat Rd is open to the trailhead. Exploration of the canyon beyond Willet was restricted as no one was willing to attempt the third river crossing due to depth and speed. The trailhead is about 70 miles northwest. Alder Creek trail to Sespe Hot Springs turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. 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. 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. Length 37.3 kmElevation gain 1,347 mRoute type Out & back 5 miles to the Piedra Blanca trailhead. Is it too low in elevation for deer? Hike north 2.5 miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward Alder Creek. (661) 245-3731 ext. Reduced by hunting and diseases transmitted from livestock grazing, bighorn sheep were last seen in Los Padres National Forest in 1914. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs +1 (760) 205-9936. 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. Plenty of big horn sheep up at the hot springs. until the trail leaves the drainage bottom, approximately 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. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Sometimes the gate is locked and you have to walk an extra 5 miles to the trail head. I saw it along the entire trail. The third trail called Alder Creek Trail is the shortest . Coltrell, a corruption of Cottriel, is the former site of George Cottriels homestead. Along much of Sespe Creek one will find various improvised camps reflective of the amount of usage the trail sees each year. The road is a combination of dirt, gravel and pavement. The views are worth the price of admission. The general deer hunting season in Zone D13 starts this weekend October 12 and lasts through November 10. You will also see an old road cut paralleling the ridge for a while but I stayed just above it on the ridge. Its about nourishment and learning. Re: Best route to Sespe Hot Springs. Dogs are not a good idea at these flows. Here, the canyon opens up and reveals a more spartan and rocky terrain evocative of the Palm Springs area. Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. The trail is wide open most of the way but starts to get overgrown as you approach Alder Creek at the last crossing of the Sespe. The next trail junction is 2.7 miles. Expect to get wet crossing the stream. The river is considered one of the best trout fishing streams in Ventura County. At Willet, there was a moving creek with much cleaner water. (831) 667-2315 This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains. see pictures. (805) 968-6640 or (805) 448-6487, Mt. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. There were fewer built-out pools at the hot springs than previous trips, so we dug out a spot to enjoy for most of our stay. Climb the hill south of the saddle. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Buckhorn Road 1/22 1163. 1156. And, since it's a parking lot/trailhead it is not a "public street" and prohibited under the general prohibition. Hot Springs Trail 3/22 1166. 5.2 miles to the Sespe Hot Springs. In wetter years many of the crossings can be more challenging and so its best to check with the Forest Service regarding current conditions. There were dozens of mountain goats hanging out in the area for most of our first morning. From the town of Fillmore in Ventura County, take A Street . Creek still running, went up to Bear Creek.. Sespe Hot Spring: 34.594545, -118.998812. Photo by Anna Roth. Replies. the lupine and blue dicks). We found a small spring around the 6.5 mile mark, but that was the only water source we were able to find aside from the major springs. . We didn't see one single person. Enjoy your visit! 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. 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. . Below is an example of another slide found along this section of trail: Once along the Sespe river the trail is easy to follow for a while until it crosses to the south side of the river bed. Within the National Forest the route utilizes existing trails and roads. All but one creek crossing were completely dry. Fillmore is in the gray mist at the bottom left. 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). Sespe Hot Springs - Sespe Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest; Sykes Hot Springs - Ventana Wilderness, Los Padres National Forest . Park in one of the parking spaces distributed around the trailhead loop at Dough Flat (elevation 2825ft). (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District We parked at 7am on Friday and parking lot was 3/4 full. The park's rustic environment, reminiscent of old kampungs, also holds many . Snow in the mountains will melt and the creek will rise somewhat. Initially the hikers were not located. The trail went along the base of a large slide and it looks like all the rain made that slide active once again. The hot springs were quite awesome, lots of pools to choose from, the water was flowing well so most don't have that much algae buildup. The first section of Condor Trail from Lake Piru to the Piedra Blanca Trailhead covers about 32 miles. A search began by helicopter of the areas of Tar Creek, Dough Flats, Devils Gate, The Sespe Hot Springs, and all surrounding trails. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. Spent a few nights on Thanksgiving weekend. 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 . A landslide essentially wiped out the trail along the mountainside and there was no viable alternative route, in my estimation. It was an incredible 30-something mile hike and one of my earliest backpacking trips. There are seven more river crossings before Sespe Hot Springs. Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. When Dough Flat Road is dry, you can drive a 2WD vehicle on the road. Gregg from Santa Barbara thanks for the coconut water and checking on me at Willetts (was in a bad way on Sunday) thank you :) mh, Amazing but Im confused this says 15 miles when its actually more like a full 40 mile hike (in and out), For the love of solitude and hiking, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE YOUR EXTRA FOOD TO THE GUY LIVING IN THE WILDERNESS, PAN UPDATE 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. So, armed with Brennen's directions we headed out for six days of adventure on the Sespe. . This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Overall a beautiful trail. Set up camp. For more information, please visit. Dough Flat: 34.480807, -118.916874. From uphill side, Slide @ (34.5798, -118.9647). Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. . The trail then quickly ends near Alder Creek Camp (2520 feet) and turns into the Alder Creek Trail. This means that UNLESS there is a specific ordinance prohibiting the discharge/carry of a weapon in the PARKING LOT at that specific trailhead, the discharge/carry of a weapon is not illegal. Shady camp is in good condition and shows signs of light use. (LogOut/ Tar Creek Falls is located in the Los Padres National Forest. Not the best time of year to do this trail. I recently hiked from Piru (Pothole Tr) to Piedra Blanca. Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. Water flowing intermittently with the deeper pools still holding especially near Bear and just upstream of Oak flat. Once at the hot springs, we used some shovels others had left behind to dig out built up sediment and create some pools. On average, the soaking pools are about 105 degrees. August 4, 2020. December 15th April 30th. Its about 39.5 if you stop at Willett and climb to that pool. 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 . We have plenty of things to worry about while backpacking and a potentially schizophrenic man that harasses people shouldnt be one of them. The trail below Dripping Springs becomes narrow and sections of the tread have been destroyed from winter flooding. 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. Despite no formal trail tread the trail is easy to follow and navigate. The nights are cold, cold cold. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. curtis wayne wright jr wife. Jon B. and I backpacked a loop to Sespe Hot Springs, Alder-Sespe confluence, up the Alder Creek narrows to Shady Camp and out. 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. Trail is in good condition besides rock slide after crossing bear creek camp. Trail is mostly clear until this point but upon decent and through Alder Camp, beware of poison oak. Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. 5. kind of a pain to get to. There are actually several distinct springs that amazingly issue directly from the rock walls and flow into the creek. We'll update this page if and when it reopens. 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. Trail use and trail camps are on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations. The crossing back to the north side of the river has no clear route. 1. There was a ton of algae buildup at Sespe. It is one of the last wild rivers in Southern California. Alder Creek Indian Cave and Sespe Hot springs Hike from Dough Flat To ALder Creek cave and camp 8 miles first day. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. More rains to come this weekend, recommend to wait out til roads are cleared. Be advised, Willet is super popular and not much area to camp once you're at the spring. CHAPTER 1 Introduction to the Southern Los Padres CHAPTER 2 About This Guide PART I SANTA BARBARA AND WESTERN MT. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Someone has left a large tarp in the middle of the camp. If you visit on the weekend, it's probably very busy at Willet. Dry January has meant creek levels are down again, though you still cant dry cross. Trespass Trail #2 2/22 1157. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. Cold water is just down stream a bit for filtering. Getting from the start of Goodenough Road to the trailhead will take you about an hour. Expect to see a lot more activity within D13 over the next month and in particular this long holiday weekend. Not for people with acrophobia or vertigo. Want to report conditions for this trail?