Ticks and snakes are out and about. ($4.29 each) available from Ojai Ranger District (see address at right; make check payable to LPIA). There was poison oak but I think lots is an exaggeration at least at the bottom. The Johnson Ridge Trail is also challenging and 9.5 miles each way. After another 1.5 miles of misery (lots more bushwhacking, we were covered in pollen from head to toe) beyond Alder camp, a very narrow trail goes along the mountainside. Alder Creek Trail (20W11) WILDERNESS Length: 7.5 Difficulty: moderate trailhead to Cow Spring, difficult to Shady Camp turnoff Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 54 min to complete. From here, you enter the Sespe Wilderness and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. After that, while the trail is overgrown in places, particularly on north facing slopes, it is pretty easy to follow all the way out to Dough Flat. Directions: From McCall, Idaho Take Deinhard Ln to ID-55 S/S 3rd St 6 min (2.8 mi) Turn right onto ID-55 S/S 3rd St Continue to follow ID-55 S. Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder 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. Email:bigsurstation@gmail.com, https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lpnf/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5309152, Forest Order 05-07-00-23-04Firearms Prohibition, List of roads restricted to non-motorized vehicle use, List of trailhead and hiking trail closures, Other trails in the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Forest Road Closures and Current Conditions by Ranger District, Forest Closure Order 05-07-00-23-06 - Public Safety, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center. A short bushwhack away from the lazy-flowing Sespe leads into Hot Springs Canyon and a sulfur-scented nirvana. 12 Natural (Free!) Hot Springs in Southern California + Roadtrip Map It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Cow Springs had a small pool of clear stagnant water. One Study Got it Wrong. that is a private gated community. This trail is NOT PASSABLE to the Sespe River Trail/Willett Hot Springs and Sespe Hot Springs. When Dough Flat Road is dry, you can drive a 2WD vehicle on the road. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains. We only went to the second camp but the stream was beautiful. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Mud covered and rocky. At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. 3505 Paradise Rd. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The Dough Flat parking area is adjacent to the public access corridor of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. 1190 E Ojai Ave Explore Community. A landslide essentially wiped out the trail along the mountainside and there was no viable alternative route, in my estimation. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. I recommend starting early and packing layers! Mud covered and rocky. A very tough hike. What Are the Most Dangerous National Parks? During wet weather, 4WD is strongly advised. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 More rains to come this weekend, recommend to wait out til roads are cleared. Alder Lake Loop. Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs - AllTrails.com 2.5 mi to Trailhead. Visit the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Website, Tread Lightly! We hiked east from the jnctn of the trail to Sespe Hot Springs and the Sespe River trail, out to Dough Flat (started at Piedra Blanca). Its about nourishment and learning. Head out on this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. River crossings from Coltrell to Sespe Camp are difficult. 8h 24m The best time to hike this trail is in the Spring or Fall. It rained often and was chilly in March when I went through in the upper 40s . The road to Dough Flat Th was closed but did open over the weekend. The hill section down to alder creek trail needs some love. Road crews and resources from other national forests in California have been assisting with road clearing and maintenance projects to reopen additional areas once they have been repaired. (805) 968-6640 or (805) 448-6487, Mt. United States. 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. More rains to come this weekend, recommend to wait out til roads are cleared. Be sure to bring long sleeves and long pants for the overgrown sections, as well as sandals or waterproof boots to cross river sections. Plan on moving slowly and uncomfortably if you intend to make it to Alder Creek Camp. Get updates on conditions, surveys and more Los Padres Forest Association - 11-21-2015, Los Padres Forest Association - 07-27-2019, Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura. Top Hot Springs | Sitemap, 14 Natural Springs Close to Tampa, Florida, Backcountry camping in Los Padres National Forest, 10 Beautiful Hot Springs in British Columbia, Halcyon Hot Springs Resort Nakusp, BC, Canada, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools Canterbury, New Zealand, Waitangi Soda Springs Rotorua, New Zealand, Pitt River Hot Springs Alvin, BC, Canada. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. The road is narrow and arduous; high-clearance vehicle recommended even though we were able to get 3 sedans up there a little bit worse for wear. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min to complete. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs. turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat Ojai Ranger District project to install carsonite Condor Sanctuary signs along the west boundary of the Alder Creek Trail. We chose to hike from Piedra Blanca (Rose Valley). Enjoy this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Want to report conditions for this trail? Squaw and Cow springs were dry., From doughflat trailhead to junction with McDonald cabin the trail is in good condition and easy to follow. We did have to park at the gate and hike to the trail head about 2.5 miles since it isn't open yet. Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. The sections along the creek to Alder camp and the mile after Alder are washed out; there really is no trail left. Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail mdbekins 2 years ago . After another 1.5 miles of misery (lots more bushwhacking, we were covered in pollen from head to toe) beyond Alder camp, a very narrow trail goes along the mountainside. 2023Outdoor Project. Other hikers reported overgrown brush from Alder to Shady Camp. A very tough hike. Sespe Hot Springs - Complete Hike & Soak Guide We didn't see one single person. Brush is encroaching heavily in many spots beyond Stone Corral and below dripping Springs with at least one downed tree that would make stock passing difficult. The elevation gain at certain parts is extremely tiring and some parts of the trail are overgrown. East Fork Alder Creek was dry. There is plenty of water at Cow Springs if you hike up the wash 30 yards or so. The trail to Cow Spring is in decent shape. Highlights on the trail include two nearby hot springs and the scenery along Sespe Creek. Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS The Alder Creek trail takes you down to the Sespe Creek. There is much worth saving in this southern California wilderness: sheer gorges, cool pools, hot springs, parched badlands, barren chaparral, chalky sandstone with bizarre outcroppings, aboriginal petroglyphs, pine-spattered peaks, and a variety of wildlife, including bears and bobcats. 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. In Alder Ck drainage: several cairns, and if you lose them you can find the trail again - just continue upstream; really, there is nowhere else to go. After another 1.5 miles of misery (lots more bushwhacking, we were covered in pollen from head to toe) beyond Alder camp, a very narrow trail goes along the mountainside. I would definitely go back. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 WHERE: The Alder Creek trailhead is only 75 miles northwest of Los Angeles, but allow 21/2 hours driving time for traffic and bumpy back roads. (661) 245-3731 ext. Head out on this 2.6-mile out-and-back trail near South Fork, Colorado. (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District Started at Dough Flat Gate. The drive to Dough Flat is possible only in the driest weather and the hike down the gorge to Tar Creek Camp requires swimming skills. Once at the hot springs, we used some shovels others had left behind to dig out built up sediment and create some pools. #1 - Sespe River Trail to Willett Hot Springs [CLOSED] Sespe Wilderness Length: 20.2 mi Est. A few reports from the Alder Creek Trail: Not much shade, full sun exposure on most of trail, Dripping Spring Water Report: June 9, 2014. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min to complete. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. It's not like the Sierra foothills or Big Sur where it is the state plant and things nightmares are made of. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. You can catch the Sespe River Trail from Ojai and the other two trails from Maricopa. 8h 24m The best time to hike this trail is in the Spring or Fall. and there is not much shade so it can be very hot. Piedra Blanca Trailhead via Rose Valley Road and NFD6N31 a.burt7123 2 years ago . Gate to Dough Flat unlocked. 47555 Highway 1,Big Sur, CA 93920 A very tough hike. Also through the creek crossings, it's easy to lose the trail., At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. Rose Valley Lake Upper and Lower Day Use Areas. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs | Map, Guide - California | AllTrails 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. From the saddle, descending into Alder Ck: overgrown with brush, but pretty easy to follow. (805) 967-3481 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Lucia Ranger District . This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Get to know this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. At the Also, once you get up out of the alder drainage and head into the Sespe, there is a very large slide that makes the trail difficult to navigate while on the side of the mountain. However, I read that there is a summit just over six miles and a lean-to about 1. . The gate 2.4 miles away from the trailhead was closed which added 4.8 miles to the trip overall (we saw other reviews about this as well). Fairly cold still at night and in the morning but perfect during the day. If there is no water there, continue downstream California's Sespe Wilderness - Backpacker Photos (13) Directions. From the Dough Flat Trailhead, you will enter the Sespe Wilderness within mile. Recorded time is mostly moving. Some nice campsites along creek with fire pits. Griffiss International Sculpture Garden and Nature Trail. Best Hiking Trails in Los Padres National Forest - Gaia GPS Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Camp. The trail to the right is the Bucksnort Trail (19W18), which ends at Ant Camp at the junction with the Agua BlancaTrail (19W10). Even so, it was pretty clear to see. This is a tough trail! Sespe Wilderness Camps - Los Padres National Forest Road from Fillmore to Dough Flat Trailhead passable by sedan, but not advisable. Trail to Cow Springs was in decent shape. Santa Maria, CA 93454 Sharing Our Trails - A Guide To Trail Etiquette, Forest Headquarters (Supervisor's Office) has water year-round. We always manage to be able to walk around it. Basically walking on the creek bed all the way to shady.