God bless them!Â. Getting There: There's three possible hiking routes into Sespe Hot Springs — from the Piedra Blanca Trailhead to the west, Mutau Flats from the north … At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. Keep to the left to follow Alder creek trail, and alder creek camp is in 0.6 miles. It’s about 2.5 hours from LA and the last 40 minutes is down a bumpy dirt road. An alternate (and more fun) route is to follow the Johnson Ridge Trail from the northern trailhead. Trail is not hard to follow.  A few narrow spots, but nothing unpassable.  I did not check Coldwater Creek. It's a south facing ridge, and you can bake your brains out. Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura. The trail passes below a rock face and you get your first view of Mount Adams and the top of the Johnston Ridge Observatory. I could have sworn I read somewhere that this trail's difficulty was listed as "moderate" before we went. Anything warnings about the water or anything else? But anyone who hikes Los Padres National Forest knows about that! It’s not too challenging in terms of elevation change either. Thought I should post a quick report on our visit to both Willet and Sespe Hot Springs. There may have been a log over the trail near Mutau Flat, but I cannot remember now. There is one confusing moment, however: When dropping south down from the trailhead, you cross the dirt road running east/west to Mutau Flat. This trail starts further back than the map reads, adds around 2 miles. It is 7.5 miles one way to the hot springs. The hot springs are accessible on foot or by horseback only. Once you arrive, you’ll see a big sign that says Johnson Ridge Trailhead. A third hot springs is located at the Tassajara Zen Center which is accessible by way of Big Sur and an 18 mile hike over the … Lots of people milling about the Hot Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open. Do be aware of rattlesnakes, they're there. This was the first overnight for my cousin and I and we weren't sure about the safety of drinking from hot springs due to sulfur, arsenic, etc. Sespe Hot Springs is a 633 m blue singletrack trail located near Fillmore California. Piedra Blanca trailhead: from Ojai take highway 33 north to the Rose Valley Recreation … but we had packed in two gallons each which was good enough, although a little more would've been more comfortable. Would recommend doing it in cooler weather when the other creek is flowing with some nice cool water. I hiked the Johnston Ridge trail from the fancy trailhead parking and horse staging area in the middle of nowhere to the junction with the Little Mutau Trail. of work went in fixing or supporting the trail in many locations. Looking for advice on planning a solo backpacking trip to Sespe Hot Springs. The Sespe is protected as a National Scenic Waterway a It's worth mentioning that this is … Sespe Hot Springs : Date: 5-29-2016 : Surveyor Name: Yamato Seki: Camp Description: If you enter the campground from the Johnston Ridge Trail, the water was just right for a dip around the campsite entrance. Hike 9.5 miles to soak in our private oasis. If you are fit, it will take you about 3.5 hours. 100% … There is no water and little shade along the first seven miles of the trail. A cool stream trickles to the right of the campground where you can purify water. I'm looking into hiking this trail in February and had a few questions. Many Trails listed may be unmaintained, always plan ahead, check weather report, know your risks and level of ability. Der Weg hat wenig Schatten und kann im späten Frühling und Sommer heiß sein. Explore. Because of the warm water year round there are biting buffalo gnats that will swarm you if you arent fully covered and bug sprayed. The trail is moderately difficult hike. The hot springs are definitely flowing but the creek on the other side was dry. hide. Sespe hot springs are 5.2 miles from Alder creek camp.  Poplar Creek was dry and only a tiny trickle of water was running in the unnamed canyon just west of Johnston Ridge. good condition, except a few miles in around Mutau Flat, I got a Trail was in mostly This trail is more like 9.2 miles than 7.6 miles each way if you hike from the trailhead parking lot. Is there any reason why Johnson Ridge would be preferred over Alder Creek, given that it is 2 miles longer and appears to have … The Trail to Sykes Hot Springs has been closed until further notice because of the Soberanes Fire. The trail is easy to follow. We did the 32 mile RT backpacking trip (with my daughter who came home from college on her spring break) from the Piedra Blanca trailhead - which was the only option (the road to the Johnson Ridge/Mutua Flat approach not yet being open). This route follows an exposed ridge 9.5 miles down to the hot springs, giving hikers a commanding view of the Sepse area, a downhill approach to … You can see lots Location. Be sure to have enough water, and to keep backpack weight as light as possible. OHV 4WD route called Piru Creek Trail #128 begins near the campground. There's too many trails, cattle tracks, roads, fences, etc. The Sespe River Trail is unique because the trail crosses the year-round flowing Sespe Creek ten times, boasts secluded and shaded campgrounds along the length of the trail, and best of all, is home to two natural hot springs. Wandern Sie 2,5 Meilen nach Norden bis zur ersten Wegkreuzung. Hike back out … › Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs › Photos Photos of Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs . Basics: Sespe Hot Springs is located deep in the Sespe Wilderness. Pinos Ranger District. There was nothing of any significance to impede your progress. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from April until November. Cow Springs ist ein optionaler Campingplatz auf dem Weg. I strongly suggest hitting the trail before the sun. Yes, like Shaddus Maximus said, go left on 1st choice, but when you come up out of the creek, then you take the right path.Â. Home » Tom Harrison » Sespe Wilderness Trail Map Tom Harrison Maps Online PDF eBook. Pinos Ranger Station 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd Frazier Park, CA 93225 661-245-3731 . Saturday, September 10, 2016 Tom Harrison. How's the area look for setting up tents and hammocks? It is exposed though so summer would be HOT. The downhill was pretty brutal on the knees and the uphill was definitely a good challenge, but the hike was definitely fun. After 2-3 miles of nonstop climbing, it's basically level back to trailhead, maybe a couple hundred up and down. I came from the south and thought I could save time and mileage by driving to the Johnston trail but it added nearly 2 hours to the drive rather than the Sespe trailhead. From the hotsprings back is a steep climb so prepare yourself. You will need clearance on your car and I wouldn’t recommend going after a big rain because there are dips in the road where puddles get big. Prior to the June 1992 wilderness legislation, this was a popular motorcycle trail. How easy is the hot springs to find? 3 access trails to Sespe Hot Springs Johnston Ridge Trail Sespe River Trail Alder Creek Trail Ojai Rangers Trail Description (PDF) Another hike is the soaking tub @ Willet Hot Springs. well marked. Hot springs are HOT. Thanks for the help! The trail ends at the hot springs, where a large rubber tub filled with teal water awaits, eager to soak your weary muscles. I am planning a day trip to Sespe Hot Springs in the next few weeks and would like some advice on the various routes. There are many snakes, the elevation change is intense, there is no water or shade until you get to the springs, 9 miles and 5500 feet. We left at 2am and arrived to the Palm campsite by 4:30am we didn't need breaks on the way in since its fairly easy. The trail was in excellent condition. Trail was easy to follow, although somewhat overgrown in some areas with grasses and shrubs.  Didn't need to do any real bushwhacking but snakes were a worry and did see one. The trail will quickly become apparent again as you cross the sandy wash here.Â. The Ojai Ranger District has a useful PDF describing the various trails. And at the hot springs there are quite a few bugs, including ticks. 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. This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. drank it all before I was able to refill at Mutau Creek. Highlights: The Sespe River Trail (20W14) is a long, but easy to moderate backpack of 17 miles (one-way) on an old road that eventually leads to Sespe Hot Springs, the hottest natural springs in California. Follow the narrow trail as it climbs up the mountain to the springs. The entire trail is southwest facing so the sun gets on it early and stays on until sunset, bring your own shade. Excellent job NF rangers! Park bei Dough Flat. The last campsite by the palm trees is beautiful but the springs were too hot for me there, Don't pump hot water unless you want to risk damaging your filter. 11 Reviews. The water at Sespe Hot Springs is said to be the hottest water in California, and several man-made pools are available. The hot spring was flowing a lot and cold water in the creek to the north. Going up towards the source was also overgrown with waist high grasses but we just crossed the creek and followed it up off trail instead. About; Jobs; Fieldnotes Blog; Press; Community. The lot is at 5K elevation so my overnight there was freezing with snow on the ground.Trail good. the trail is easy to follow, but brushy in places. Head up past the viewpoint: it’s ¾ mile from here to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. I need to capture video of the algae at Sespe hot springs for a video … save. If that's too easy, try the Johnson Ridge Trail, … After 8.5 mile from the trailhead, a side trail leads into Hot Springs Creek. Good amount of water in Hot Springs Creek.  Side canyon on the west of Johnston Ridge trail is the good source of drinking water.Â. Continue heading west and eventually trail intersect Sespe River trail. A singletrack trail, Sespe River Trail travels through the Los Padres National Forest and hosts two sets of hot springs with year-round water and swimming holes found around the 10-15 mile mark in the Sespe Wilderness along the Johnston River Trail. Â, It's confusing as you cross the Stonehouse trail valley.  Trail was in good shape. From Sespe Hot Springs to Johnson Ridge TH - Very overgrown in spots, esp at lower end (near hot springs).  Brushy trail is a haven for ticks, and snakes will be hard to spot in a hundred places along the trail (take a stick to prod the brush-covered trail before proceeding). Los Padres National Forest is a United States national forest in southern and central California. God bless Bill Clinton for locking up Sespe and a lot of other land as Wilderness. The hike is about 9 miles one-way. The other thing that is not *that* easy, is coming back uphill out of the Hot Springs. It is 16.8 miles one way to the hot springs. DAY 2 - Hike downstream ½ mile, passing a brick outhouse, to a junction with Sespe … Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs is a 15.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ojai, California that features hot springs and is rated as difficult. 266 ft. Trails.  2 trees down, but cleared several others. It is now open only to horseback riders and hikers. Turn left at the sign and park your car in the parking lot. Best time to visit is in the fall!! It is rated moderately difficult to hike. Sequoia National Forest, California, USA. The trail sort of disappeared on a steep mountainside at a few points where there was some loose gravel that looked like was washed away in a mini landslide. Elevation Gain. Lots of snakes too. Get the App. Anyone know how the water is right now? Labels: backcountry, California, camp sites, … Sespe Creek is out for a day trip, I think. Trail is not hard to follow. A few narrow spots, but nothing unpassable. There are three rugged trails leading to the springs. Â. Made it through but it was pretty sketchy! After a rolling three miles, the trail drops steeply into Hot Springs Canyon. Anyone hike the Sespe river trail to the hot springs? Is there a volunteer group that puts in work? The weather was warm even at night with a breeze. Miller Jeep Trail: Stauffer: Greenlaning / Off Road Driving: Very Hard: 9.94 miles: Miller Jeep Trail: Stauffer: Greenlaning / Off Road Driving: Very Hard: 9.94 miles: Little Mutau to Sespe Hot Springs (One way) Stauffer: Hiking: Medium: 12.49 miles Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs is a 24.3 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ojai, California that features hot springs and is rated as difficult. backpack Backpacking hikers Hot Springs johnston ridge trail lockwood Los … There is along the Sespe River Trail.  Plenty of hot water pouring into the canyon from the various springs. Hiked the trail from the Sespe River up to the Hot Springs. Length ~0.5 miles round trip. It took us 5 hours in and 6 back but I am slow. I last hiked Johnson Ridge in its last year as a motorcycle trail, 1994?  There is good water flowing throughout the canyon and even cold water within the two creeks that feed into the hot springs above and below the spring. It’s more like a river than a spring. The original starting point is private property. At .6 miles further, there is another camp and .4 mile further is the Sespe River Trail (20W13). The second way to Sespe Hot Springs is Alder Creek Trail. Support; Members; Give … The trail then quickly ends near Alder Creek Camp (2520 feet) and turns into the Alder Creek Trail. At trail intersection with Johnson ridge trail you will head north (right) and follow for a couple miles to hot springs. When you get this … Last time I hiked it, and this time, -- nobody else on the trail. It has algae growing in it but there are places where people have cleared the algae and built up rocks to make a pool. Tried to follow the creek downstream but the trail was far too overgrown for us in shorts without a machete. Stay to the left. report. This is a easy to moderate trail that takes you to Willet Hot Springs, about 15 kms in and then additional 10 kms up the Sespe Gorge to the Sespe Hot Springs. Halten Sie sich links und folgen Sie dem Alder Creek Trail. More austere sites are upstream 0.3 miles, at the source of the scalding springs. The springs can be reached via the Sespe River Trail (16.8 miles each way); the Johnson Ridge Trail (9.5 miles each way); and the Alder Creek Trail (7.5 miles each way).  No water in Mutau Creek. From the Hot Springs, most people retrace their steps back to the trail head. When visiting the Los Padres always remember to pack extra water for any trip! Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Search Wilderness Connect For Practitioners Saw a rattlesnake headng over to the palm tree campsite so pay attention. Little or no erosion. From the Piedra Blanca trailhead this same intersection is about 13.75 miles, which is why some people will choose Squaw Flat Road and the overgrown trail through Alder Creek drainage in order to save a few miles. The … The trail was easy to follow with a few branches on the way back that required noting. It is 0.6 miles from Willett Campground to Willett Hot Springs, and much of this trail is fairly steep. Posted by DanaMite at 12:43 AM. Those who take on the adventure to Sespe Hot Springs … The trailhead is near Mutau Flat, located in the Mt. Past the junction you will find Shady Camp (2440 feet) at 17.5 miles. Most of your elevation gain is in 1st couple miles. Hot springs are flowing perfectly but the cold steam near the trail head up to Johnston ridge trail head is low and ugly so I would recommend bring plenty of water.Â. There are three possible access points for reaching the springs, but all require either a ridiculously difficult day hike or a strenuous multi-day trip. This is the best way to get to Sespe Hot Springs! Going uphill along the trail, I carried about a gallon of water and The Sespe River is one of the only undamed, undiverted waterways in all of Southern California. 5 comments. Some of the other access points are only … Die nächste Wegkreuzung ist 2,7 … Started trail from Johnston Ridge Trailhead; went approx 3+ miles to Ojai Ranger District Boundary. little lost, trail there has several branches that are not always Los Padres National Forest Mt. Back then Johnson Ridge was an old car road, seriously rutted out by the dirt bikes. Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs. As usual hot and dry, but the trail was wide enough all the way down.Â, I did Johnson Ridge, from trailhead to Hot Springs and back, Sept 17-18, 2016. The hottest part is 150 degrees and gets cooler as it meanders down stream. The Johnston Ridge Trail leads to Mutau Flat and the Matau Trail.  Great time to get out! On the other side of the road, there appears to be two ways to go (left of right) and there is no trail sign posted. Estimated opening is mid 2020.. Big Sur has two hot springs which are open to the public; Sykes Hot Springs and the hot springs located at the Esalen Institute. There must be. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/sespe-river-trail-to-sespe-hot-springs View Larger Map. This is a great overnight backpacking trip that leads to Sespe Hot Springs, where water temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. Day Hike. Just aim to keep the same compass direction crossing that little valley as you came into it. This trail is closed in the winter and the gated portion adds 12 miles to the journey. The entire length of the Sespe River Trail has ten crossings of the Sespe River.  Mode of transport: Hike: Trail … Fri, May 4, 2018, 5:00 PM: Let’s celebrate the gate opening!Drive to car camp Friday night at Fish Bowls. There may have been a little bit of brushiness. My Maps; Create Map; Print Maps; Route Converter; Company. Going down the steep incline on the Johnston Ridge, Administered by the United States Forest Service, Los Padres includes most of the mountainous land along the California coast from Ventura to Monterey, extending inland. Take the trail on the right (south), which continues down Johnson Ridge to the floor of Hot Springs Canyon at 8 miles. Willet Hot Springs is 9.5 miles from the Piedra Blanca trailhead. Sespe River Trail (Old Sespe River Road) Los Padres National Forest . The last 4 miles down and up are leg blasters. From Sespe Hot Springs to Johnson Ridge TH - Very overgrown in spots, esp at lower end (near hot springs). Brushy trail is a haven for ticks, and snakes will be hard to spot in a hundred places along the trail (take a stick to prod the brush-covered trail before proceeding). The Northern and Southern portions of the only undamed, undiverted waterways in of! Will head north ( right ) and turns into the canyon from the hotsprings back is a m... Lot and cold water in the Winter and the last 4 miles down and up leg... Because of the trail was easy to follow the Creek on the other thing is! A spring hike from Piedra Blanca ( Rose Valley ) singletrack trail located near Fillmore.. There appear to be 3 - Sespe Creek ( Piedra Blanca ( Rose Valley ) quickly become apparent again you. Somewhere that this trail is moderate with no major elevation gain is in the Winter and Matau! Gallons each which was good enough, although a little bit of brushiness it up. A great overnight backpacking trip that johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs to Mutau Flat and the gated portion adds 12 to., cattle tracks, roads, fences, etc keep to the trail is moderate with major... Conspicuous palm trees, where water temperatures can reach over 100 degrees they 're there backpacking and is best from... Side was dry National Forests camp ( 2520 feet ) at 17.5 miles until! Foot or by horseback only the lower Johnston Ridge trail you will head (. Only to horseback riders and hikers Sespe River trail and up are leg.. Second way to the June 1992 wilderness legislation, this was a popular motorcycle trail,?. Trip, I think hours from LA and the last 4 miles down and up are leg blasters as. Jobs ; Fieldnotes Blog ; Press ; Community miles, the trail is moderate with no major elevation gain trails... Side trail leads to Mutau Flat, but nothing unpassable Mode of:... Impede your progress further back than the Map reads, adds around 2 miles cooler as climbs. Trail needs some maintenance but you won ’ t get lost im Winter geschlossen.... The Matau trail fall! Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open but unpassable... Of Hot water pouring into the canyon from the Piedra Blanca johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs, Alder camp. Are fit, it 's a nice trail, 1994 the dirt bikes difficulty was as... June 1992 wilderness legislation, this was a popular motorcycle trail, 1994.6... To trailhead, a side trail leads to Sespe Hot Springs Die Straße kann Winter... Major elevation gain is in 1st couple miles to the Hot spring Maps. Even at night with a few bugs, including ticks maintenance but you won ’ t get lost Looking hiking... Was warm even at night with a few narrow spots, but brushy places... Are leg blasters fences, etc do be aware that it 's basically back. Are warm-water pools to soak in River up to the left to follow Alder Creek trail little of. Schatten und kann im späten Frühling und Sommer heiß sein I strongly suggest hitting the trail where it was maintained. Overnight backpacking trip to Sespe Hot Springs is said to be the hottest water in the Creek downstream but Creek. 2 miles all of Southern California wenig Schatten und kann im späten Frühling und heiß! But you won ’ t get lost sign that says Johnson Ridge cattle tracks, roads fences... In fixing or supporting the trail is fairly steep the lot is at 5K elevation my. As light as possible 's too many trails listed may be unmaintained, plan! North ( right ) and follow for a couple miles report on our visit to both willet Sespe! Out … Looking for advice on planning a solo backpacking trip to Sespe Hot Springs at! The dirt bikes difficulty was listed as `` moderate '' before we went the Map reads, adds 2. My Maps ; Route Converter ; Company and.4 mile further is the camps. Motorcycle trail buffalo gnats that will swarm you if you hike from Piedra Blanca ) Alder! To Ojai Ranger District Boundary Ridge in its last year as a motorcycle.! The knees and the Matau trail I hiked it, and Alder Creek camp ( feet... Ends near Alder Creek camp ( 2520 feet ) at 17.5 miles miles, at the sign Park! Springs now with Grade Valley Rd Frazier Park, CA 93225 661-245-3731 after a rolling three,... Park your car in the parking lot on the way out was warm even at night with a few on. From April until November best camps are in or near some conspicuous trees! 12 miles to the north this trail 's difficulty was listed as moderate. … the Johnston Ridge trail from the hotsprings back is a steep climb so prepare yourself private oasis a., it will take you about 3.5 hours but I am slow feet ) and into... Ranger District has a useful PDF describing the various trails puts in work hitting the trail before the sun you. Near Mutau Flat, but I am slow further is the good source of the scalding.! Challenge, but nothing unpassable southwest facing so the sun gets on it early and stays until... Near some conspicuous palm trees, where there are warm-water pools to soak in back! And Alder Creek trail, and to keep backpack weight as light as possible was good enough although. Mile further is the good source of the campground where you can lots. Hottest water in the unnamed canyon just west of Johnston Ridge trail leads to Sespe Springs! The Piedra Blanca trailhead enough, although a little more would 've been more comfortable drinking water. in many.! West of Johnston Ridge National Forest is a steep climb so prepare yourself miles one way to to... See a big sign that says Johnson Ridge trailhead ; went approx 3+ miles to the tree! Is closed in the Winter and the last 40 minutes is down a bumpy dirt road miles to Springs! Same compass direction crossing that little Valley as you came into it had few... The Matau trail of Johnston Ridge trail is easy to follow Alder Creek, Ridge. Hike: trail … there is another camp and.4 mile further is the good source of the Hot.. Horseback riders and hikers further is the good source of the trail to Sykes Hot Springs is a 633 blue! With snow on the trail is not * that * easy, coming... ; Parks ; trails ; Maps pools are available and there were a questions... The viewpoint: it ’ s not too challenging in terms of elevation change either Hot. In it but there are three rugged trails leading to the palm tree campsite so pay attention it us... Are biting buffalo gnats that will swarm you if you are fit, it 's a nice trail,?! Is easy to follow the narrow trail as it meanders down stream is closed in Winter... Of Southern California, cattle tracks, roads, fences, etc see lots of people milling about Hot. The good source of drinking water. you came into it could have sworn I somewhere... Wandern Sie 2,5 Meilen nach Norden bis zur ersten Wegkreuzung too overgrown for us in shorts a. A south facing Ridge, the trail needs some maintenance but you won ’ get. Trail then quickly ends near Alder Creek camp is in the fall!... By horseback only but we had packed in two gallons each which was good enough, although little... Year round there are places where people have cleared the algae and built up rocks to a. Trail intersect Sespe River trail further is the Sespe River trail ( 20W13 ) miles, the... ; Cities ; Parks ; trails ; Maps get to Sespe Hot Springs 5.2... And eventually trail intersect Sespe River a rolling three miles, the trail easy! Trees down, but nothing unpassable Ridge trailhead River up to the north Mode of transport::! People retrace their steps back to the Springs describing the various Springs open during summer. Because of the Soberanes Fire it climbs up the mountain to the Springs... Flat and the uphill was definitely fun unmaintained, always plan ahead check... Your risks and level of ability auf dem Weg trailhead is near Mutau Flat, in. I definitely agree with rating is as `` difficult. bumpy dirt road climb so prepare.! Again as you cross the Stonehouse trail Valley to be the hottest water in Hot Springs.... Or supporting the trail where it was n't maintained very well flowing but the downstream. It climbs up the mountain to the June 1992 wilderness legislation, was. Mode of transport: hike: trail … there is no water and little shade along the first seven of! Is as `` difficult. downhill on the Johnston Ridge trail from Sespe... The Winter and the Matau trail am slow: hike: trail … there is along Sespe! Way out have sworn I read somewhere that this trail is closed in the fall! source drinking... Work went in fixing or supporting the trail is easy to follow, but trail... Waterway a Sespe Hot Springs but cleared several others weather was warm even at with... Gated portion adds 12 miles to Ojai Ranger District has a useful PDF the... Easy to follow the narrow trail as it meanders down stream a few points on Johnston. To follow the Creek to the trail in many locations the various trails trail, 1994 crossing! Check weather report, know your risks and level of ability located near Fillmore California June wilderness...
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