Share sensitive information only website belongs to an official government organization in the Started at Dough Flat Gate. We always manage to be able to walk around it. Thank you for taking the time to visit Hike Los Padres. Get to know this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. We had no trouble finding where the trail leaves Alder Ck to climb towards Dripping Springs. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. 47555 Highway 1,Big Sur, CA 93920 (805) 623-0328, Monterey Ranger District Started at Dough Flat Gate. - The trail is passable but needs lots of work from the McDonald Junction out to Alder Creek Camp and beyond to the Sespe. Toggle navigation. 1616 N. Carlotti Dr. Santa Maria, CA 93454 The water was flowing at the bottom of Alder Creek to Shady. Camped at Alder Ck right where the trail first drops into Alder Ck (hiking east) - didn't go down to Shady Camp. Couldnt make it in. ( Sespe River Trail is 16.8 miles each way and is rated as moderately complex. Even so, it was pretty clear to see. The trail to Cow Spring is in pretty good shape, but horribly overgrown and deteriorating once you get a bit past it. The elevation gain at certain parts is extremely tiring and some parts of the trail are overgrown. The 11-mile Alder Creek Trail from Dough Flat to Sespe Hot Springs is exceptionally mouthwatering. Basics: Sespe Hot Springs is located deep in the Sespe Wilderness. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. way. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. I would definitely go back. King City, CA 93930 Recorded time is mostly moving. The water in the creek was low enough to walk the creek to the confluence right before Alder camp. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. This adds an additional 5 miles of walking on the road to access the Dough Flat TH to the Alder Creek Trail. 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]. Mud covered and rocky. The hill section down to alder creek trail needs some love. This trail goes by Dough Flat Trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs. The shortest of the three is via Alder Creek Trail, a 7.5-mile trek through the wilderness that heads at Dough Flat in the Sespe Oil Fields. If that's too easy, try the Johnson Ridge. From this point on to shady camp the trail is sporadic. The gate from the top is closed because the road is washed out so its about 6 miles to the actual TH. Trail is mostly clear until this point but upon decent and through Alder Camp, beware of poison oak. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The Heading out the door? Copper City Brewing Company. Sespe River Trail - Starting from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, this trail is 16.8 miles one way and is rated as moderate to difficult. 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). The last 2 miles to Alder camp and are extremely overgrown, you will be doing some brutal bushwhacking along a trail that is basically one long rut. Thereis no access to Willett Hot Springs or Sespe Hot Springs from this trail. Stream was 1 inch deep average at the bottom, stronger at Shady with pretty strong waterfalls just behind shady (it had rained for 3 days the previous days). - After leaving the Bucksnort the trail gets gradually worse but stays good until you get down to the McDonald Trail Junction. We did not progress past Alder Creek Camp. The trail below Dripping Springs becomes narrow and sections of the tread have been destroyed from winter flooding. Saved. 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. Enjoy this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. (805) 968-6640 or (805) 448-6487, Mt. (831) 385-5434 ext. User fee: $5 per day/per vehicle, $30 per season/per vehicle; free campfire permit required. Finding - and staying on the trail in the gorge is tough. We had to zigzag across the creek many times. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Alder Creek Trail. Be sure to bring long sleeves and long pants for the overgrown sections, as well as sandals or waterproof boots to cross river sections. There are also many camping areas along the way, making this trail ideal for multi-day trips. Update 1-11: Rains have washed out the entry road about 10miles out. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. next trail junction is 2.7 miles. I don't know why they send you that way. What Are the Most Dangerous National Parks? ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Overall, still a great trip! The beginning of the trail, through the Cow Springs Campsite and the Stone Corral, is easy to follow. The decent down into the Alder drainage could use some brushing. Last year, in 2016, a group of Thacher students and I brushed and cleared as much as possible from Alder Camp to the trail junction with the Sespe Trail. This work held up well when we camp through it this year, which was nice to see. However, you have to do some inventing of the trail at times in the stretch from the McDonald Camp sign to Alder Camp. You are basically walking in the creekbed. The elevation gain at certain parts is extremely tiring and some parts of the trail are overgrown. ($4.29 each) available from Ojai Ranger District (see address at right; make check payable to LPIA). Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat. ) or https:// means you've safely based on 6 tracks & routes | #236 hike out of 473 in Sespe Condor Sanctuary | EASY smartphoneSave Hike fullscreen Driving Directions file_download GPX/KML 2.8 mi Distance 1 hrs 17 min Time terrain 1,060 ft Elev Gain Overview This is a easy one way trail in Sespe Condor Sanctuary. miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward We started at around 1 pm and didnt get to camp until 7:30 (~23 min mile pace). It is rated moderately difficult to hike. The next trail junction is 2.7 miles further. Edit Add a Report Be the first to rate this hike! All Ojai District campgrounds are closed. Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. 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. United States government. Add 2.5 miles or so to the hike because the access road may be closed getting to the trailhead. The water sources aren't great at the beginning but we filtered and we are still alive, so ok I guess. trail will go to Alder Creek and youll reach Alder Camp We found hot springs that were about 105 degrees which seems hot, but you get used to it. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The last 2 miles to Alder camp and are extremely overgrown, you will be doing some brutal bushwhacking along a trail that is basically one long rut. (661) 245-3731 ext. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. More rains to come this weekend, recommend to wait out til roads are cleared. Continue on to the end of the road at the Dough Flat trailhead. Also through the creek crossings, it's easy to lose the trail., At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. Gate closed Saturday afternoon added 2.5ish miles to our hike to the hot springs (14.4 in) but gate was open when we returned Sunday- downloading this map recommended for places where trail easy to lose by river, hot springs really hot with two good size pools and a really nice palm oasis camp spot for many tents. Just wasnt worth the risk to me. King City, CA 93930 Continue 3.2 miles down to Alder Creek Camp. The hike is absolutely beautiful and so are the hot springs! - After this point the trail gets much worse the short distance until you meet with the main Alder Creek Junction. Continue on to the end of the road at the Dough Flat trailhead. (831) 667-2315 Overall, still a great trip! Follow the stream for Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. [5] Willett Hot Springs are also located in the Sespe Wilderness area. Start hiking at the Piedra Blanca trailhead and walk four miles along the river to the first campground, Bear Creek. If you stay to the left, the trail will go down Alder Creek Trail to Alder Creek Camp after .6 miles. Fairly cold still at night and in the morning but perfect during the day. I chose to pee in the woods over it. There is access to the Dough Flat Trailhead during the spring, summer and fall and is within the winter seasonal closure between approx. Check the. This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains. Dough Flat Rd is open to a locked gate 5miles below the Dough Flat Trailhead. Hiked Alder Creek Trail from Dough Flat to Alder Creek and continued on down Alder Creek to the Sespe. Alder Lake Loop. Alder Creek and Bucksnort Trails. 406 S Mildred Ave The hike is absolutely beautiful and so are the hot springs! Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! 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. Sespe River Trail - Starting from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, this trail is 16.8 miles one way and is rated as moderate to difficult. Ojai, CA 93023 2. Started at Dough Flat Gate. The trail to the right is the Bucksnort Trail (19W18), which ends at Ant Camp at the junction with the Agua BlancaTrail (19W10). From Shady Camp to Sespe hotsprings involved 2 deep river crossings and several sketchy/washed out sections of trail along the hillside. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min. Trail is mostly clear until this point but upon decent and through Alder Camp, beware of poison oak. Good shape to Cow Camp; overgrown in many places between Cow Camp and Shady Camp. Mud covered and rocky. This is a moderate one way trail in Los Padres National Forest. The trail is still in good shape but a bit hard to follow in spots but there are some trail markers. Download the app. There is along the Sespe River Trail. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Frazier Park, CA 93225 Open daily 9am - 4pm To get to dough flat hang right not straight. This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. An official website of the -The Sespe River Trail is WASHED OUT so Sespe Hot Springs is inaccessible. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful . . A very tough 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. North-facing 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. We crossed 3 very dangerous rockslides here, only to find a fourth rockslide with a sheer drop off below it that is impassable. Piedra Blanca Trailhead via Rose Valley Road and NFD6N31 a.burt7123 2 years ago . After final Sespe River crossing, at "Alder Camp 4 miles" sign: as it climbs out of Sespe River, trail is narrow, and washed out in a couple short spots, requiring caution to proceed safely - soil is loose, tread is mostly gone, and there is a pretty steep drop-off. 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. The road is a combination of dirt, gravel and pavement. Its about protecting what sustains us. I chose to pee in the woods over it. We took a side trail for a bit and decided to turn around. We only went to the second camp but the stream was beautiful. A few of the springs are flowing on the way to Alder. Overview. connected to the .gov website. If there is no water there, continue to hike downstream 0.8 miles until the trail leaves the drainage bottom. SESPE WILDERNESS - More information on the Sespe Wilderness: www.wilderness.net, Maps: Tom Harrison - Sespe Wilderness Map or 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps (Devils Heart Peak). Then you have to bushwhack through lots of foliage at the top. Backpacked with packs ~35lbs out and back in two days. There are three main trails you can take to get to Sespe Hot Springs. Visit the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Website, Tread Lightly! I would stay one day at the bottom to make more cairns and make the existing ones a little taller if I had the leisure. Its recommended to replace the 2 trail signs where the ttrail forks for Ant Camp and McDonald. Trail is severely comprimised and travel is not recommended at this time. I made it to shady and I can tell it's a well loved place. This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. 2 important notes: Home; Blog. Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. Having said that, the 4 of us passed safely, with full packs on. I don't know why they send you that way. We did have a map and knew it was about a half mile upstream from Alder Camp, so we knew to watch for it. This is a narrow rough Print/PDF map. 2.5 mi to Trailhead. The rock formations once you pass Cow Springs were amazing. The trail is still in good shape but a bit hard to follow in spots but there are some trail markers. - That portion of the trail is fantastic. Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. 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. If there is no water there, continue downstream There are three ways to access the springs on different trails. We did have to park at the gate and hike to the trail head about 2.5 miles since it isn't open yet. The sections along the creek to Alder camp and the mile after Alder are washed out; there really is no trail left. Gate closed Saturday afternoon added 2.5ish miles to our hike to the hot springs (14.4 in) but gate was open when we returned Sunday- downloading this map recommended for places where trail easy to lose by river, hot springs really hot with two good size pools and a really nice palm oasis camp spot for many tents. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. We started at around 1 pm and didnt get to camp until 7:30 (~23 min mile pace). Santa Barbara, CA 93105 We didn't see one single person. Basically walking on the creek bed all the way to shady. Cow Spring Campground - 3.50 Miles from Dough Flat, Started at Dough Flat Gate. turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat Probably wouldn't recommend for inexperienced hikers, but otherwise it was no problem. Gate is closed 5.5 miles out from the trailhead. The whole section of the national forest is ruggedly beautiful but brutally exposed to the sun on southward facing slopes. Once at the hot springs, we used some shovels others had left behind to dig out built up sediment and create some pools. ( Trail is mostly clear until this point but upon decent and through Alder Camp, beware of poison oak. The road to Dough Flat Th was closed but did open over the weekend. website belongs to an official government organization in the Ojai Ranger District project to install carsonite Condor Sanctuary signs along the west boundary of the Alder Creek Trail. Then you have to bushwhack through lots of foliage at the top. DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate; elevation, 2,225 to 3,700 feet. There is a rockslide blocking the trail between Alder Creek Camp and Cotrell Camp. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. We had to zigzag across the creek many times. 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. At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep.