alder creek trail to sespe hot springs

The water sources aren't great at the beginning but we filtered and we are still alive, so ok I guess. However, I read that there is a summit just over six miles and a lean-to about 1. . Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. -The Sespe River Trail is WASHED OUT so Sespe Hot Springs is inaccessible. This is a tough trail! Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! Overgrown trail that is easy to lose and requires backtracking., Trail is in good shape with several small water crossings up until Cow Camp. Long sleeves, pants, and a hat are highly recommended tto charge through the brush. Sespe River Trail - Starting from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead, this trail is 16.8 miles one way and is rated as moderate to difficult. 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. (805) 968-6640 or (805) 448-6487, Mt. 47555 Highway 1,Big Sur, CA 93920 At the trailhead you enter the Sespe Wilderness. The trail below Dripping Springs becomes narrow and sections of the tread have been destroyed from winter flooding. Length 2.6 miElevation gain 78 ftRoute type Out & back. 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. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. - After this point the trail gets much worse the short distance until you meet with the main Alder Creek Junction. Want to report conditions for this trail? Lol.. has water year-round. From this point on to shady camp the trail is sporadic. The next trail junction is 2.7 miles further. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat. The trail is NOT PASSABLE to the Sespe River. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! From Shady Camp to Sespe hotsprings involved 2 deep river crossings and several sketchy/washed out sections of trail along the hillside. We chose to hike from Piedra Blanca (Rose Valley). Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! 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. The rock formations once you pass Cow Springs were amazing. Continue 3.2 miles down to Alder Creek Camp. Mountain bikes are not permitted in designated wilderness areas. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs - AllTrails.com The gate was surprisingly unlocked today! Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. Was able to place more cairns and fixed a few that had fallen down. This, obviously, is to help the California Condors recover from the brink of extinction. Sespe Hot Springs is a remote, backcountry spring that can only be accessed by foot or horseback. Bucksnort junction sign needs replacing as does the junction sign at the East Fork with the northern leg. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. Toggle navigation. Prepare to get thigh high wet. You can catch the Sespe River Trail from Ojai and the other two trails from Maricopa. -The Sespe River Trail is WASHED OUT so Sespe Hot Springs is inaccessible. No water at Squaw Flat but grape vines are starting to fruit. Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. Alder Lake Loop: 188 Reviews, Map - New York | AllTrails The second trail called Johnson Ridge Trail is the second option at 9.5 miles one way. Couldnt make it in. This is a narrow rough road traveled by large oil trucks so be very cautious as you continue to the parking area at Dough Flat. Get to know the winter safety gear you need in your pack. (831) 667-2315 I only made it to Cow Spring and was happy for the alternative given that Piedras Blancas is closed. Trail Quest: Sespe River Trail | Songs of the Wilderness Gate is closed 5.5 miles out from the trailhead. Alder Creek is flowing well in most parts. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs. A lot of rock cairns guide you here. Griffiss International Sculpture Garden and Nature Trail. Trail is good for 3 miles after dough flat trailhead. A landslide essentially wiped out the trail along the mountainside and there was no viable alternative route, in my estimation. (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District Trail use and trail camps are on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Gate to Dough Flat unlocked. 0, Ojai Ranger District Heading out the door? Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. When visiting the Los Padres always remember to pack extra water for any trip! Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min to complete. Other hikers reported overgrown brush from Alder to Shady Camp. The last way to the hot spring is Johnson Ridge Trail It is 9.5 miles one way. Breweries. Shop . 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). Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail The Johnson Ridge Trail is also challenging and 9.5 miles each way. As long as youre prepared for elevation and give yourself enough time, its well worth the hike! Just wasnt worth the risk to me. 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. Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. California's Sespe Wilderness - Backpacker Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. Even so, it was pretty clear to see. -Despite the USFS saying the road to Dough Flat TH is closed, it is, in fact, OPEN as of 2/20/2022. Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. way. Go Visit ALDER LAKE: CATSKILLS NEW YORK - Adventures of Abby Girl Alder creek camp and shady camp were clean and both will make nice places to spend the night.. When Dough Flat Road is dry, you can drive a 2WD vehicle on the road. The trail from Cow Springs to Alder Creek was extremely overgrown in some parts with downed tress. 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. - The trail is passable but needs lots of work from the McDonald Junction out to Alder Creek Camp and beyond to the Sespe. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Gate is closed 5.5 miles out from the trailhead. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Enjoy this 2.4-mile loop trail near Livingston Manor, New York. The trail needs some work once you get down to the creek but all in all it was easy to follow. Overall great trip just wish we would have started a bit earlier to avoid the bit of night hiking we had to do. Be sure to bring long sleeves and long pants for the overgrown sections, as well as sandals or waterproof boots to cross river sections. Recorded time is mostly moving. (831) 667-2315 The sections along the creek to Alder camp and the mile after Alder are washed out; there really is no trail left. Some nice campsites along creek with fire pits. Overview. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. 0, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center Alder Lake Loop. Overgrown and deteriorating between Cow Springs and Alder Creek Camp. It all adds up to limitless possibilities for trekking in an untamed land thats just a short drive from Los Angeles. There are three different trails that lead to Sespe Hot Springs: 1. Backpacking Sespe Hot Springs - NorCal Hiker Olympic National Park: Hike Mountains to Sea on These 6 Perfect Trails, Want To Hike In Middle-Earth? At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. Road from Fillmore to Dough Flat Trailhead passable by sedan, but not advisable. 3. Many beautiful campsites along the gorge. Alder Creek Trail is easily navigable with cairns and orange tape, but long sleeves are heavily recommended since it is overgrown in many places. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. A short bushwhack away from the lazy-flowing Sespe leads into Hot Springs Canyon and a sulfur-scented nirvana. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Los Padres National Forest - Alder Creek - 20W11 - US Forest Service Los Padres National Forest (South-East) Trail Map and Descriptions Open daily 9am - 4pm that is a private gated community. miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward Hike north 2.5 Disappears at time; you're better off hiking in the creek bed. The trail is still in good shape but a bit hard to follow in spots but there are some trail markers. Fairly cold still at night and in the morning but perfect during the day. Easy 4.1 (29) South Fork, Colorado. Follow the stream for The trail almost entirely follows the Sespe River. I would definitely go back. River crossings from Coltrell to Sespe Camp are difficult. 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]. 2.5 mi to Trailhead. Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Camp. This closure adds 2 1/2 miles of additional hiking from where you park at the gate to the trailhead. This series of springs create a hot spring creek flowing through the mountains. 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]. Overall, still a great trip! This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. For information, please call (805) 968-6640 or (805) 724-0079. Continue west one mile to reach Cow Spring Camp. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 A very tough hike. If you stay to the left, the trail will go down Alder Creek Trail to Alder Creek Camp after .6 miles. road traveled by large oil trucks so be very cautious as Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Camp. Choose between the moderate, 16.8-mile Sespe River Trail; the 7.5-mile Alder Creek Trail; and the difficult, 9.5-mile Johnson Ridge Trail. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. We found hot springs that were about 105 degrees which seems hot, but you get used to it. Then you have to bushwhack through lots of foliage at the 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. and there is not much shade so it can be very hot. Sespe River Trail (20W13): This trail is approximately 15 to 17 miles one-way and over 30 miles round trip to the hot springs. If that's too easy, try the Johnson Ridge. Trail Creek boasts two large hot spring rock walled with cement pools. Finding - and staying on the trail in the gorge is tough. The trail to Cow Spring is in decent shape. The Dough Flat parking area is adjacent to the public access corridor of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Alder Creek Tourism: Tripadvisor has reviews of Alder Creek Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Alder Creek resource. The water was flowing at the bottom of Alder Creek to Shady. 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. 2. We didn't see one single person. DIFFICULTY RATING: Moderate; elevation, 2,225 to 3,700 feet. Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Visit the One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire Website, Tread Lightly! Share sensitive information only Explore Community. 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. ( December 15 - April 30. 2 important notes: Highlights on the trail include two nearby hot springs and the scenery along Sespe Creek. Firearms Prohibition Forest Order: Effective February15, 2023 throughDecember 31, 2024, Sespe Condor Sanctuary Occupancy and Use Restrictions, ForestOrder05-07-55-21-15 Expires 9-20-2023. TRAILS: There are 18 trails offering a total of 136 miles of hiking. Solvang, CA 93463 We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back., Dough Flat Gate was unlocked when we returned. one mile from Alder Camp. Some nice campsites along creek with fire pits. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. I chose to pee in the woods over it. 2.5 mi to Trailhead. LockA locked padlock Walk peacefully and swiftly by it.. Also one big beehive in one of the camps - but there are many camps to choose from. Plan on moving slowly and uncomfortably if you intend to make it to Alder Creek Camp. website belongs to an official government organization in the Rest of trail to Coltrell Flats is pretty good but keep steady footing on the small track. Unlike most waterways in the United States, Sespe Creek still flows undammed and crystal clear through one of the nations largest roadless areas, the 220,000-acre Sespe Wilderness in Los Padres National Forest. (831) 385-5434 ext. Highway 33 is closed from South Matilija springs Rd to 9 miles south of the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line until further notice. Ill be back and will take the other trail in instead. Frazier Park, CA 93225 Mud covered and rocky. United States . We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. Gardens, Parks. There was a lot of graffiti and vandalism at the trailhead. , 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. The water sources aren't great at the beginning but we filtered and we are still alive, so ok I guess. 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). Hike 2.5 miles north to the Bucksnort Trail Junction. 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. To any trail crew leader reading this I would be more than happy to join on a return trip to replace the said signs. River crossings from Coltrell to Sespe Camp are difficult. 2.5 mi to Trailhead. The road to Dough Flat Th was closed but did open over the weekend. The Alder Creek trail takes you down to the Sespe Creek. There were at least two points where fallen trees block the path, and the trail is mostly lost in East Fork Alder Creek. Continue 3.2 miles down to Alder Creek Camp. It's not like the Sierra foothills or Big Sur where it is the state plant and things nightmares are made of. Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. We crossed 3 very dangerous rockslides here, only to find a fourth rockslide with a sheer drop off below it that is impassable. We crossed 3 very dangerous rockslides here, only to find a fourth rockslide with a sheer drop off below it that is impassable. We only went to the second camp but the stream was beautiful. connected to the .gov website. The 11-mile Alder Creek Trail from Dough Flat to Sespe Hot Springs is exceptionally mouthwatering. The trail to Cow Spring is in decent shape. Sespe Wilderness Camps - Los Padres National Forest Its about nourishment and learning. Go left toward Alder Creek. We started from Dough Flats and made it to Shady Camp. after 0.6 miles. Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Camp. From here, you enter the Sespe Wilderness and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. The water in the creek was low enough to walk the creek to the confluence right before Alder camp. Pinos Ranger District: 1-(661) 245-3731, Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. 2023 Best 10 Trails in Sespe Wilderness | AllTrails April 7, 2023 - Due to severe storm damage to Dough Flat Rd, there is a locked gate 5 miles below the trailhead. Squaw and Cow springs were dry., From doughflat trailhead to junction with McDonald cabin the trail is in good condition and easy to follow. Prepare to get thigh high wet. Alder Creek is flowing well in most parts. The last track is via the moderately difficult Alder Creek Trail, which runs 7.5 miles . 5.2 miles to the Sespe Hot Springs. 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. Piedra Blanca to Sespe Hot Springs. Steady climb for the next 3.5/4 mi to peak before dropping into Alder Creek. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Alder Creek. We had no trouble finding where the trail leaves Alder Ck to climb towards Dripping Springs. In the summer it is too hot and there may not be water in the river for parts of the year as well. Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. At least two points where fallen trees block the path, and the trail is mostly gone in East Fork Alder Creek. Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! There were several vehicles up there in addition to ours. It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. [6] See also [ edit] Sespe Creek #1 - Sespe River Trail to Willett Hot Springs [CLOSED] Sespe Wilderness Length: 20.2 mi Est. Basically walking on the creek bed all the way to shady. 12 Natural (Free!) Hot Springs in Southern California + Roadtrip Map Share sensitive information only Parking for the Alder Creek Trail is 5 miles at the gate below the trailhead. Continue on to the end of the road at the Dough Flat trailhead. Frazier Park, CA 93225 I only made it to Cow Spring and was happy for the alternative given that Piedras Blancas is closed. - Back in December the CREW worked the first part of the trail from Dough Flat out to the Bucksnort Junction.

alder creek trail to sespe hot springs 2023