From here, it's another 5 miles to the trailhead. Los Padres National Forest - Dough Flat Trailhead - Alder Creek Trail Despite the dry river, the terrain was beautiful. The Sheriff's Office activated the Fillmore and East Valley Search and Rescue teams to conduct a ground search. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. Rest of trail to Coltrell Flats is pretty good but keep steady footing on the small track. and reservations. Replacing my previous review with updated conditions. 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. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. 2nd day trip to sespe hot springs 8 miles round trip. Bit of a dense brush challenge but doable. Just two hours from Los Angeles, the Sespe Hot Springs feel worlds away. Danilo and Gyorgyi with Sespe Creek in the background. See a few pictures below taken of the slide: Slide @ (34.5798, -118.9647). Some nice campsites along creek with fire pits. 0, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center The next trail junction is 2.7 miles. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. United States government. Because of the distances involved, a visit to the hot springs is best done as part of a backpacking trip. Just after Coltrell Flat the third trail juntion is with the Johnston Ridge Trail (20W12). I think Sespe hot springs is what you're looking for. 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). Find your route along the river and join the trail where it comes down to the river as well. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, December 15th April 30th. There were a few groups that either got to Bear creek and stayed put or decided to turn around and return to the car not willing to risk the river. We didn't see one single person. Climbing up from alder creek was relatively easy to follow, but overgrown near the saddle. Sespe Hot Spring: 34.594545, -118.998812. One can still find what looks like the fireplace left from the homestead. 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. At about the 4.5-mile mark from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead one arrives at Bear Creek Camp. From the Shady Camp turnoff, it is hot topic assistant manager job description; It starts right at the tree you have to limbo under. 379: Route 93 Buck Creek 20W01 18W01 and 19W05. Want to report conditions for this trail? It is primarily within the southern Los Padres National Forest. A short bushwhack away from the lazy-flowing Sespe leads into Hot Springs Canyon and a sulfur-scented nirvana. Set up camp. 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. Welcome to Sespe he said. It is folded and and it is held in place with a large rock. The trail includes a number of camps along the way. All downed trees were removed from Piedra Blanca to the Hot Springs junction. 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. Enjoy this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. The camp is situated under several large oaks and has a fire ring. Recreation.gov. 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. Continuing along Sespe River Trail, about half-mile west of the Johnson Ridge Trail intersection, Sespe River Trail arrives at Coltrell Flat. Overview United States California Los Padres National Forest Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail 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. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail DIFFICULT 19.8 mi. Follow the stream for 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. 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. Solvang, CA 93463 SHORT TERM CLOSURE: This area is temporarily closed until March 14, 2023 due to extreme winter weather. Tar Creek forms part of the southern border of the Sespe Condor Sactuary and Dough Flat Rd forms part of its eastern boundary. Wesweswes and I chatted about it, and settled on visiting the Sespe hot springs from Dough Flat. There was stagnant water at Bear Creek, although I recommend pushing on to Kerr Springs for cleaner water (still not moving). The trail below Dripping Springs becomes narrow and sections of the tread have been destroyed from winter flooding. There are two campsites separated by the creek crossing. Continue west along the creek .8 miles to reach the junction with Sespe River Trail (20W13). Water is usually only available here during winter and spring. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. Hiked from Piedra Blanca Trailhead down past Bear Creek. Fillmore is in the gray mist at the bottom left. Hot Springs Trail 3/22 1166. Within the National Forest the route utilizes existing trails and roads. way. . There are no downed objects or other navigation hazards. It can be seen on the USGS 1:24K topographic map Devils Heart Peak, CA . 373: Route 91 Bucksnort Trail 19W18. Agua Blanca Trail 2/21 Size 15 X 23 1029. I drove to the Dough Flat trailhead in a 1974 Pinto operated sanely at a speed appropriate to the road and the modest capabilities of that vehicle. Plenty of camp area before you head up the climb though. Turn right into Squaw Flat Forest Rd/ 6N16 (you can't turn left anyway). This is a difficult one way trail to Sespe Hot Springs in Sespe Wilderness. This closure adds 2 1/2 miles of additional hiking from where you park at the gate to the trailhead. Lots of trash and horse poop. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. You can also go down Alder Creek and take the Sespe back to Tar Creek or Devil's Gate. All rights reserved. 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. Hike From Highway 33 take Rose Valley Road to the Piedra Blanca Trailhead. 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. No sign of Pan btw. On the way down I encountered three hikers . Sespe Trail 3/21 Size 19 X 24 1026. We showed up in Fillmore on Sat, and drove up Squaw Flat road. peter w busch why is it important to serve your family dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. Usually rangers leave shovels by fire pits but I didnt see any along the way. We ended up moving up the canyon, passed the rock circle to camp under the cottonwood with two other friends we met up with there. The park's rustic environment, reminiscent of old kampungs, also holds many . Santa Barbara, CA 93105 If you visit on the weekend, it's probably very busy at Willet. 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. 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. We did this as an overnight, but it could definitely be split into a two night trip. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 13 h 26 min to complete. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. I've been here many many times over the years and never had this happen to me before. Cold water is just down stream a bit for filtering. The Mosquito Flat trailhead is at 10,000 and you have to go over Mono Pass at 12,000. 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. We provide tools and tips to discover Moderately difficult hike. Mountain views Wildlife Good for kids Dogs not allowed Ridges/passes Parking Pass/Entry Fee National Park Pass The hot springs are amazing and camping spots are nicely spaced with plenty of pools. that is a private gated community. This place is amazing, but watch out for Pan, the homeless guy in the Batman pajamas who lives at the hot springs. 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. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun (hat, sun glasses, sun protection creames, water, etc) Enjoy. Update 1-11: all entry roads are closed due to rains. 5. 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. Reduced by hunting and diseases transmitted from livestock grazing, bighorn sheep were last seen in Los Padres National Forest in 1914. Very little water. The trail up to Bear creek was extremely well marked, and between Bear Creek and Oak Flat was reasonable but a bit overgrown and hard to follow at a few points. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. After crossing the saddle between the two, the first drainage crossing to the west is severely washed out and not safely passable. Then in good shape, with the above mentioned gillies, from Bear to Willet. Its here that youll want to leave Johnson Ridge Trail and continue to the right, upstream along the creek another half-mile to the hot springs. Mutau Flat is a meadow in Ventura County and has an elevation of 4,806 feet. KERR SPRINGS: The pictures pretty much tell the story. This route passes by the disappointing Willet Hot Springa rubber cistern in the ground that's filled with algaeas it follows the Sespe Creek. I was bitten somewhere in one of those two locations. Beautiful day! (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District Expect to see a lot more activity within D13 over the next month and in particular this long holiday weekend. 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. Cross the riverbed and head down-stream (east) on the old road. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min to complete. The vehicle for that trip was a Honda Civic. Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. It's 1-2 hours to the trailhead from LA. 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. Blog Home Uncategorized dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. until the trail leaves the drainage bottom, approximately Trail is mostly clear until this point but upon decent and through Alder Camp, beware of poison oak. The Alder Creek Trail offers Wilderness access along a moderately difficult, nine and a half mile trail from Dough Flat to Sespe River. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. The internet said there would be some sort of seasonal closure, but the road was open all the way to Dough Flat. Ventura County mopakigbahin sa usa ka utlanan sa Santa Barbara County, Kern County, ug Los . The views are worth the price of admission. Sespe Creek starts in the mountains near Potrero Seco Camp, close to the border between Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, and flows south and east joining the Santa Clara River 55 miles later near Fillmore.