These are all completely undeveloped and free to visit, which makes it especially important to leave no trace and do your part to keep them clean. This is a rough dirt road that is traveled by large oil trucks. 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). and there is not much shade so it can be very hot. 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. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! 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. Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. However, I read that there is a summit just over six miles and a lean-to about 1. . As long as youre prepared for elevation and give yourself enough time, its well worth the hike! A very tough hike. The trail to the right is the Bucksnort Trail (19W18), which ends at Ant Camp at the junction with the Agua BlancaTrail (19W10). 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. Deep Creek Hot Springs . - After this point the trail gets much worse the short distance until you meet with the main Alder Creek Junction. 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). Download the app. As long as youre prepared for elevation and give yourself enough time, its well worth the hike! 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. Couldnt make it in. To get to dough flat hang right not straight. (805) 448-6487 or (805) 724-0079, Santa Barbara Ranger District The Alder Creek trail takes you down to the Sespe Creek. The trail to Cow Spring is in decent shape. Long sleeves, pants, and a hat are highly recommended tto charge through the brush. Sespe Hot Springs - ULTIMATE HOT SPRINGS GUIDE Vegetation is overtaking the trail in sections. I would definitely go back. We started at around 1 pm and didnt get to camp until 7:30 (~23 min mile pace). I recommend starting early and packing layers! 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. Water is usually only available here during winter and spring. If you stay to the left, the 3. The main fork of Alder was flowing nicely all the way to the confluence with the Sespe. on official, secure websites. The Johnson Ridge Trail is also challenging and 9.5 miles each way. 1190 E Ojai Ave If there is no water there, continue downstream From here, you enter the Sespe Wilderness and the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Alder Creek Trail - Begins from the Dough Flat Trailhead, is 7.5 miles one way and rated as moderate to difficult. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. To get to dough flat hang right not straight. At the 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. 5.2 miles to the Sespe Hot Springs. This is a narrow rough Ojai, CA 93023 Los Padres National Forest - Alder Creek - 20W11 - US Forest Service 2023Outdoor Project. Alder Creek Trail: 29 Reviews, Map - Colorado | AllTrails Head out on this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. Update 1-11: Rains have washed out the entry road about 10miles out. connected to the .gov website. 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. 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). Alder creek camp and shady camp were clean and both will make nice places to spend the night.. 12 Natural (Free!) Hot Springs in Southern California + Roadtrip Map Stay. Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. December 15th April 30th. Also through the creek crossings, it's easy to lose the trail., At Shady Camp junction, ascending over the saddle is very steep. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS 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. Print/PDF map. Mt. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs. The gate from the top is closed because the road is washed out so its about 6 miles to the actual TH. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 0, Ojai Ranger District Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. Washed-out location: 34.579927, -118.964486. This trail goes by Dough Flat Trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs. Beyond Alder Creek to Shady was the same story. that is a private gated community. 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. It is 16.8 miles one way to the hot springs. Skip to main content . Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. The elevation gain at certain parts is extremely tiring and some parts of the trail are overgrown. 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. miles to the first trail junction, and then turn left toward We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. 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. We had to zigzag across the creek many times. Want to report conditions for this trail? 0, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center River crossings from Coltrell to Sespe Camp are difficult. We didn't see one single person. I chose to pee in the woods over it. Dough Flat Rd will reopen sometime in May unless the damage is assessed as too severe to drive on the road. Gardens, Parks. There are three main trails you can take to get to Sespe Hot Springs. 1616 N. Carlotti Dr. Backpacked with packs ~35lbs out and back in two days. Frazier Park, CA 93225 1980 Old Mission Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93105 There was a lot of graffiti and vandalism at the trailhead. CONTACT: Ojai Ranger District, 1190 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023; (805) 646-4348. 1190 E Ojai Ave Basically walking on the creek bed all the way to shady. About 20 minutes later you reach another parking lot, the Dough Flat trailhead and also the Alder Creek trailhead. 406 S Mildred Ave We only went to the second camp but the stream was beautiful. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. No fee to park. Frazier Park, CA 93225 The hill section down to alder creek trail needs some love. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. connected to the .gov website. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Share sensitive information only We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. Good shape to Cow Camp; overgrown in many places between Cow Camp and Shady Camp. 2 important notes: It is overgrown and my legs did get banged up some wearing capris. The This is a narrow, rough road that is traveled by large oil trucks. Hiked Alder Creek Trail from Dough Flat to Alder Creek and continued on down Alder Creek to the Sespe. Fairly cold still at night and in the morning but perfect during the day. The hike is absolutely beautiful and so are the hot springs! (831) 667-2315 Sespe River Trail can be accessed several different ways, the two most common are from the trailhead at Piedra Blanca and the trailhead at Dough Flat via Alder Creek Trail. Other hikers reported overgrown brush from Alder to Shady Camp. Alder Creek is flowing well in most parts. I can see why they call it Dough Flats. Go To Hocking Hills, Ohio, The Best Spots To Go Stargazing In Joshua Tree National Park. Dough Flat Rd is open to a locked gate 5miles below the Dough Flat Trailhead. It all adds up to limitless possibilities for trekking in an untamed land thats just a short drive from Los Angeles. 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 the most popular way to go and is 16.8 miles each way. 406 S Mildred Ave Road from Fillmore to Dough Flat Trailhead passable by sedan, but not advisable. We took a side trail for a bit and decided to turn around. Its recommended to replace the 2 trail signs where the ttrail forks for Ant Camp and McDonald. Bucksnort junction sign needs replacing as does the junction sign at the East Fork with the northern leg. 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. We had no trouble finding where the trail leaves Alder Ck to climb towards Dripping Springs. When visiting the Los Padres always remember to pack extra water for any trip! 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 did have to park at the gate and hike to the trail head about 2.5 miles since it isn't open yet. Official websites use .gov A .gov The trail almost entirely follows the Sespe River. Rose Valley Lake Upper and Lower Day Use Areas. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. 2 stars because the Cow Springs (no shade here) and Alder Camp sites are very nice. Highway 33 is closed from South Matilija springs Rd to 9 miles south of the Ventura/Santa Barbara County line until further notice. Rest of trail to Coltrell Flats is pretty good but keep steady footing on the small track next to the cliffs.:), River crossings from Coltrell to Sespe Camp are difficult. Alder Creek Trail - Los Padres National Forest Trail Distance 5.95 Miles Take Highway 126 to Fillmore. Once at the hot springs, we used some shovels others had left behind to dig out built up sediment and create some pools. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs Hard 4.2 (34) Sespe Wilderness Photos (130) Directions Print/PDF map Length 23.2 miElevation gain 4,419 ftRoute type Out & back Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. LockA locked padlock 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 This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. But trail is obvious. way. The last way to the hot spring is Johnson Ridge Trail It is 9.5 miles one way. Explore Community. (831) 385-5434 ext. Email:bigsurstation@gmail.com, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=81861, Forest Road Closures and Current Conditions by Ranger District, Forest Closure Order 05-07-00-23-06 - Public Safety, Pine Ridge Trail Sykes Hot Springs Trail Information, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center, 4/15/23 - Trailhead parking area is closed. Sespe River Trail is 16.8 miles each way and is rated as moderately complex. 3505 Paradise Rd. We always manage to be able to walk around it. The water was flowing at the bottom of Alder Creek to Shady. This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. United States . We found hot springs that were about 105 degrees which seems hot, but you get used to it. Getting to the springs involves going over eight river crossings, but the water might be shallow or dry during the hot summer months. There was a lot of graffiti and vandalism at the trailhead. There was poison oak but I think lots is an exaggeration at least at the bottom. Enjoy this 37.3-km out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. For information, please call (805) 968-6640 or (805) 724-0079. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 16 min. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Also through the Creek area, it's easy to lose the trail. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat. King City, CA 93930 Alder Creek Trail is easily navigable with cairns and orange tape, but long sleeves are heavily recommended since it is overgrown in many places. ) or https:// means you've safely Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. A landslide essentially wiped out the trail along the mountainside and there was no viable alternative route, in my estimation. Water trickle at dripping spring in the descent to the gorge. Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. We started at around 1 pm and didnt get to camp until 7:30 (~23 min mile pace). Ojai Ranger District - Phone: (805) 646-4348 or (661) 805-1057, Mon-Fri 8-430pm.