Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Oak Flat is reached by a side trail that crosses Sespe Creek to the south. There is one place where the trail tread has been destroyed for about 10 feet and another 20 to 30 feet of uneven rocks and debris that have fallen onto the trail tread on the uphill (north east) portion of the trail. I would definitely go back. Sespe River Trail is unshaded much of the way, so plan accordingly. 366: Route 90 Dough Flat to Shady Camp via Alder Creek 20W11. 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. All downed trees were removed from Piedra Blanca to the Hot Springs junction. GPS is essential out here past Willett. At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. Located off Gambas Avenue, Sembawang Hot Spring Park features new cascading pools and a water collection point, enhanced accessibility for wheelchair users, and educational panels where visitors can learn about Singapore's only hot spring park's history and geology. Matthew Hengst February 14, 2020 at 3:26 PM. We parked at 7am on Friday and parking lot was 3/4 full. peter w busch why is it important to serve your family dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. He's been out there for years. It starts right at the tree you have to limbo under. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. These folks were a bit disappointed to not make the hot springs. 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. Brutally hot out there. Agua Blanca Trail 2/21 Size 15 X 23 1029. There are several well marked turnoffs along Rose Valley Road leading to nearby Rose Valley and Middle Lion Campgrounds. Sespe Hot Spring: 34.594545, -118.998812. 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. Ill be back and will take the other trail in instead. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs Because the pools are so shallow they are also much hotter. Mt. 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. Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. and there is not much shade so it can be very hot. The waters are channeled by hoses to a large plastic basin. The last 6 miles from there to the Sespe Hot Springs are slightly overgrown, lots of long grass obscuring the trail in sections, a good amount of poison oak along the trail, most of it can be avoided if you are careful. It was passable but I had a light pack and 2 poles to aid my balance. Wesweswes and I chatted about it, and settled on visiting the Sespe hot springs from Dough Flat. more details below. Since this trail is in the wilderness, only hikers and equestrians are permitted. miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward In late April of this year, I received an email from the Ojai RD that a small crew was being assembled to slay some downed trees along the Alder Creek Trail in the Sespe Wilderness. (805) 967-3481 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Lucia Ranger District We started at around 1 pm and didnt get to camp until 7:30 (~23 min mile pace). Rain has made rocks fall like men on the trail after Bear Creek. Directions to Trailhead: From Ojai, CA, follow Hwy 33 north for approximately 15 miles. The landslide at Kerr Spring wasn't a problem. See a few pictures below taken of the slide: Slide @ (34.5798, -118.9647). 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. Its about 39.5 if you stop at Willett and climb to that pool. Sespe River Trail follows Sespe Creek for roughly 20 of those miles as it passes through the Sespe Wilderness. Sespe Hot Springs can be gloriously . We had two reports come in this week showing substantial slides on different sides of the Sespe River Trail. Just wasnt worth the risk to me. 1190 E Ojai Ave Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. 1980 Old Mission Drive However, the easiest (Piedra Blanca) has been closed due to fire damage since December of 2017. I appreciate them looking for him but they might want to send a couple people out that arent in full sheriff gear to find him and have the rest of the squad near by behind them. If you fall here it is very bad. (831) 385-5434 ext. Tar Creek forms part of the southern border of the Sespe Condor Sactuary and Dough Flat Rd forms part of its eastern boundary. Sespe River is extremely low, very stagnant, & even with water filtering tasted like death. Could use a new sign or decals at the Junction with red Reef. Posted on May 31, 2022 by May 31, 2022 by 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. Bummer, this trail is closed. 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. There was stagnant water at Bear Creek, although I recommend pushing on to Kerr Springs for cleaner water (still not moving). Frazier Park, CA 93225 Lots of trash and horse poop. I hiked from Piedra Blanca to Sycamore Flat. Lots of snakes. Welcome to Sespe he said. Overall, still a great trip! Its about nourishment and learning. Not a whole lot to say here that hasn't been said already. 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. , There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. Plenty of water coming down all of the side canyons too, if sespe creek water isn't your flavor of water that you prefer. An adventure pass is required to park or camp in this part of the National Forest. Most people cleared out, as they do on Sundays, and we heard from somebody that they saw him walking back to willet. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. coinbase prime pricing dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. We made sure to keep our packs under our vestibules to make sure nothing could be stolen at night. Suggested Time - 5 hours. While we were hangin out he got up and walked to a hot springs where two women were soaking. It used to have an annual Steethead Trout run but dam construction and drought years have ended these runs. So, armed with Brennen's directions we headed out for six days of adventure on the Sespe. Trespass Trail 2/22 1160. . A very tough hike. Following along the Sespe Creek Trail, there are several more campsites accessible a day's walk from the trailhead. Coltrell, a corruption of Cottriel, is the former site of George Cottriels homestead. Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. I walked around the palms to make sure he wasnt being threatening and within 2 mins of being near them, he dropped his purple robe to the ground and was just standing there. The Sheriff's Office activated the Fillmore and East Valley Search and Rescue teams to conduct a ground search. Sespe River Trail can be accessed several different ways, the two most common are from the trailhead at Piedra Blanca and the trailhead at Dough Flat via Alder Creek Trail. Some bad news to report along the Sespe. The trail includes a number of camps along the way. Sespe Hot Springs. When Dough Flat Road is dry, you can drive a 2WD vehicle on the road. There are actually several distinct springs that amazingly issue directly from the rock walls and flow into the creek. Located along Sespe Creek, about two hours from Los Angeles, California, Sespe Hot Springs is one of several natural hot springs in the Los Padres National Forest. connected to the .gov website. Route 84 Middle Sespe Trail 22W04. Despite no formal trail tread the trail is easy to follow and navigate. Sespe Wilderness - Sespe Hot Springs | Wilderness Trip Report Water along the entire stretch of the Sespe from Piedra Blanca to Alder Creek. It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. Be sure to bring long sleeves and long pants for the overgrown sections, as well as sandals or waterproof boots to cross river sections. Not for people with acrophobia or vertigo. Only came across 3 other groups in 3 days. one mile from Alder Camp. Sespe Middle Narrows 2/22 1158. 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. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Hike north 2.5 miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward Alder Creek. 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. Sespe Creek receives most of its rainfall between January and April, and furnishes 40% of the water flowing in the Santa Clara River. we make the short drive from Los Angeles to the Dough Flat trailhead in the Sespe Wilderness. Sespe is the best! Camping this area is hot during the day and cold at night through the am. Romero Trail 3/21 Size 21 X 18 1031. dough flat trailhead to sespe hot springs. 1. I took that banking turn left toward Sespe Hot Springs too, leaving that much smaller trail. The trailhead is about 70 miles northwest. From Sespe River Trail, Johnson Ridge Trail follows Hot Springs Canyon north and arrives at Sespe Camp a half-mile later. The nights are cold, cold cold. Trail is in typical good shape with a few sections that are being rutted by the rain (I think there are already pictures of those sections here on HLP). CHAPTER 1 Introduction to the Southern Los Padres CHAPTER 2 About This Guide PART I SANTA BARBARA AND WESTERN MT. The hike is absolutely beautiful and so are the hot springs! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. We fell short of making it to the Sespe Hot Springs, should have planned a 2 night trip instead of one. The road climbs its way out of the Matilija Creek drainage, and just as it starts to level out youll want to look for the turnoff to Rose Valley on your right. The side trail continues west past Willett Camp, and climbs up a small canyon offering some nice views of Sespe Creek and the surrounding area before arriving a half-mile later at Willet Hot Springs. Dough Flat Trail 4/22 1164. Visit the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Website, Tread Lightly! The Dough Flat parking area is adjacent to the public access corridor of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, Leave No Trace Backpacking Principles: http://lnt.org/learn/7-principles, Map showing recreational areas. This is a 12-mile-one-way route on a rough trail, so it seemed like a fit. Our group saw 8 snakes over 2 days, 4 of them rattlers. I wish I would have taken better pics since the attached don't show the steepness of the area below the slide. Take extra water to Sespe Springs! We received a report from the Sespe Trail from a couple who hiked from Piedra Blanca down to Willet. The camp is near the former homestead of Jaklin Willett, who developed the property during the late 1800s. The entire length of the Sespe River Trail has ten crossings of the Sespe River. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. fishballz 1 point 2 points 3 points 9 months ago I was there a week ago today. Los Padres National Forest - Dough Flat Trailhead - Alder Creek Trail Find your route along the river and join the trail where it comes down to the river as well. It was an incredible 30-something mile hike and one of my earliest backpacking trips. No idea except from . I chose to pee in the woods over it. From the trailhead at Dough Flat its about 7.5 miles along Alder Creek Trail to Sespe River Trail. 378: Route 92 Agua Blanca 19W10. Fish Canyon to Fish Canyon Narrows and Cienaga Campground, The Pianobox Prospect via Fish Canyon Trail, Devil's Gateway Via Agua Blanca Creek and Pothole Trail, Pronghorn OHV Trail from Hungry Valley Road, Santa Paula Canyon and Punch Bowls Trail [CLOSED], Punchbowls via Santa Paula and Last Chance Trail [CLOSED], Sespe Hot Springs via Johnston Ridge Trail [CLOSED]. Cross the riverbed and head down-stream (east) on the old road. 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. I thought perhaps quail or dove, maybe even jack rabbit. Make sure you protect yourself from the sun (hat, sun glasses, sun protection creames, water, etc) Enjoy. turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat We picked the hottest day of a heat wave to attempt this hike, and I cant blame Sespe for that. Enjoy your visit! Download the GPS track to help you find your way. 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