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). -Despite the USFS saying the road to Dough Flat TH is closed, it is, in fact, OPEN as of 2/20/2022. The whole section of the national forest is ruggedly beautiful but brutally exposed to the sun on southward facing slopes. Sespe Wilderness Length: 20.2 mi Est. It rained often and was chilly in March when I went through in the upper 40s . Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Mud covered and rocky. We always manage to be able to walk around it. Johnson Ridge Trail - Begins from the trailhead at Mutau Flat, extends for 9.5 miles, and is rated as difficult. Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. The hill section down to alder creek trail needs some love. 2. Alder Creek is flowing well in most parts. The sections along the creek to Alder camp and the mile after Alder are washed out; there really is no trail left. The LPFA partnered with Southern California Edison to install a new trailhead sign at Dough Flat, cleanup the trailhead, install regulation signs (no campfires, no target shooting), painted the outhouse and cleared the short trail up to the condor observatory. Good fun and great work by over 25 SCE volunteers. Here are some photos: Trail from Dough Flat to the east fork of Alder Creek is easy to follow however would benefit from some maintenance. December 15th April 30th. -The Sespe River Trail is WASHED OUT so Sespe Hot Springs is inaccessible. Even so, it was pretty clear to see. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min to complete. (805) 967-3481 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Lucia Ranger District 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. Sespe River Trail - Starting from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, this trail is 16.8 miles one way and is rated as moderate to difficult. Share sensitive information only Lol.. Then you have to bushwhack through lots of foliage at the top. Buckhorn ridge(4/17/21, 10:35:15AM) . Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs | Map, Guide - California | AllTrails The Alder Creek trail takes you down to the Sespe Creek. 9 Hot Springs in California You Need to Visit ASAP Los Padres National Forest - Dough Flat Trailhead - Alder Creek Trail This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Map Information, Interactive Visitor Map: Los Padres National Forest, Forest Recreation Informational Brochures. Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Dough Flat Rd to the Alder Creek Trail is open, but there is a locked gate 5 miles south of the Dough Flat Trailhead which adds an additional 5 miles of walking on the road to access the trailhead. If there is no water there, continue to hike downstream 0.8 miles until the trail leaves the drainage bottom. TRAILS: There are 18 trails offering a total of 136 miles of hiking. The gate from the top is closed because the road is washed out so its about 6 miles to the actual TH. -The Sespe River Trail is WASHED OUT so Sespe Hot Springs is inaccessible. (805) 623-0328, Monterey Ranger District In the summer it is too hot and there may not be water in the river for parts of the year as well. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. Alder Creek is flowing well in most parts. 2 important notes: We believe good things come from people spending time outside. I only made it to Cow Spring and was happy for the alternative given that Piedras Blancas is closed. 150 yards and youll reach Shady Camp, which normally The Sespe River Trail is the most popular way to go and is 16.8 miles each way. Cow Springs had a small pool of clear stagnant water. Piedra Blanca Trailhead via Rose Valley Road and NFD6N31 a.burt7123 2 years ago . Sharing Our Trails - A Guide To Trail Etiquette, Forest Headquarters (Supervisor's Office) The main fork of Alder was flowing nicely all the way to the confluence with the Sespe. Also through the Creek area, it's easy to lose the trail. Deep Creek Hot Springs . Manyof the areas that were closed for public health and safety concerns following powerful winter storms that inflicted significant damage across the Forest have reopened. 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). From here, you enter the Sespe Wilderness and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. Be very cautious en route to trailhead. A new Forest order is now in place that keeps severely compromised roads, trails, campgrounds, and day-use sites closed to the public while Forest engineers, partner groups, volunteers, and contractors work on repairs as funding becomes available. 2023 Best 10 Trails in Sespe Wilderness | AllTrails Ojai, CA 93023 1190 E Ojai Ave 0, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center United States. Trail was in great condition and easy to follow. We did have a map and knew it was about a half mile upstream from Alder Camp, so we knew to watch for it. Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. Enjoy this 2.4-mile loop trail near Livingston Manor, New York. At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. I would definitely go back. Breweries. I would definitely go back. Long sleeves, pants, and a hat are highly recommended tto charge through the brush. The first trail called Sespe River Trail is the longest at 16.8 miles and winds it's way through Los Padres Forest and is considered a moderately difficult hike. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS Explore Community. Hike north 2.5 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 pretty good shape, but horribly overgrown and deteriorating once you get a bit past it. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 54 min to complete. A few of the springs are flowing on the way to Alder. River crossings from Coltrell to Sespe Camp are difficult. Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. However, I read that there is a summit just over six miles and a lean-to about 1. . and there is not much shade so it can be very hot. 2.5 mi to Trailhead. Couldnt make it in. Ticks and snakes are out and about. Recorded time is mostly moving. Warning, One big beehive at hip height in the rock face right by the trail 2/3rd of the descent - the trail goes about 4 feet from the hive, with no real options going wider. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. A vigorous grassroots campaign to Keep the Sespe Wild led to the creeks wild and scenic designation in 1992, and the slogan is now a victory banner on Ventura County car bumpers. Solvang, CA 93463 Probably wouldn't recommend for inexperienced hikers, but otherwise it was no problem. I recommend starting early and packing layers! Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Camp. Check the. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. The last way to the hot spring is Johnson Ridge Trail It is 9.5 miles one way. 22. , The trail from Dough Flats to Cow Springs is well defined, cared for and overall easy to follow. As i traveled north on the trail it began to show a lack of use, and became harder to follow. There were a couple of minor tree blowdowns, a self made trail around water in the original trail and the brush began to become harder to navigate through. An example is a 34.56364, -118.90896. Once you reach the top and begin to switch back down to Alder Creek, pushing through the brush becomes more common place. On this day it was raining as we approach Dripping spring. When I arrived the ground was wet and slippery. The trail width has become narrow and downsloped, both toward the spring and falling off to the creek. The trail to the spring also looked had blowdowns across the trail. I decided based on the conditions it would be unsafe to continue to Alder Creek Camp. On a dry day it maybe possible to continue north with extreme care to avoid the sharp drop off and fall into the creek below., Alder Creek from Dough Flats to mile 5.56. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat. All rights reserved. Fish Canyon to Fish Canyon Narrows and Cienaga Campground, Punchbowls via Santa Paula and Last Chance Trail, The Pianobox Prospect via Fish Canyon Trail, Devil's Gateway Via Agua Blanca Creek and Pothole Trail, Pronghorn OHV Trail from Hungry Valley Road, Sespe Hot Springs via Johnston Ridge Trail, Santa Paula Canyon and Punch Bowls Trail [CLOSED]. (831) 667-2315 Due to the Hwy 33 closure by Caltrans due to winter storm damage, there is no vehicle access to the Matilija or Sespe Wildernessat this time. has water year-round. 1980 Old Mission Drive The trail is still in good shape but a bit hard to follow in spots but there are some trail markers. Gate to Dough Flat unlocked. 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. The water was flowing at the bottom of Alder Creek to Shady. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Its about protecting what sustains us. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Head out on this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. on official, secure websites. you continue to the parking area at Dough Flat. The rock formations once you pass Cow Springs were amazing. Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. after 0.6 miles. Was able to place more cairns and fixed a few that had fallen down. 2. On average, the soaking pools are about 105 degrees. -Despite the USFS saying the road to Dough Flat TH is closed, it is, in fact, OPEN as of 2/20/2022. website belongs to an official government organization in the The trail is still in good shape but a bit hard to follow in spots but there are some trail markers. We had to zigzag across the creek many times. It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. 2 stars because the Cow Springs (no shade here) and Alder Camp sites are very nice. Alder Creek. Overgrown trail that is easy to lose and requires backtracking., Trail is in good shape with several small water crossings up until Cow Camp. If you stay to the left, the trail will go down Alder Creek Trail to Alder Creek Camp after .6 miles. We had to zigzag across the creek many times. The trail is moderately difficult hike. The trail is still in good shape but a bit hard to follow in spots but there are some trail markers. 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). Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. The second way to Sespe Hot Springs is Alder Creek Trail. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. Be very cautious in route to trailhead. way. We had to zigzag across the creek many times. (831) 385-5434 ext. Open daily 9am - 4pm It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. 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 Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. As long as youre prepared for elevation and give yourself enough time, its well worth the hike! , The trail once at the bottom was tough to find and follow, making for extra slow progress as I was beelining and zigzaging all through it - Bless the trail angels that dotted it with rock cairns to make it easier to find. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. 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. 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. Alder Lake Loop: 188 Reviews, Map - New York | AllTrails We found hot springs that were about 105 degrees which seems hot, but you get used to it. Continue on to the end of the road at the Dough Flat trailhead. 3. Vegetation is overtaking the trail in sections. Frazier Park, CA 93225 Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. Top Hot Springs | Sitemap, Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa T or C, New Mexico, 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. [6] See also [ edit] Sespe Creek You can catch the Sespe River Trail from Ojai and the other two trails from Maricopa. Alder Creek Trail. Add 2.5 miles or so to the hike because the access road may be closed getting to the trailhead. Mud covered and rocky. We crossed 3 very dangerous rockslides here, only to find a fourth rockslide with a sheer drop off below it that is impassable. Then you have to bushwhack through lots of foliage at the top. Head out on this 2.6-mile out-and-back trail near South Fork, Colorado. Overall great trip just wish we would have started a bit earlier to avoid the bit of night hiking we had to do.