FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Alder Trail to Sespe Hot Springs | Map, Guide - California | AllTrails 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. I made it to shady and I can tell it's a well loved place. There are three ways to access the springs on different trails. There was poison oak but I think lots is an exaggeration at least at the bottom. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Share sensitive information only 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. The Johnson Ridge Trail is also challenging and 9.5 miles each way. Road from Fillmore to Dough Flat Trailhead passable by sedan, but not advisable. Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Trail is mostly clear until this point but upon decent and through Alder Camp, beware of poison oak. It rained often and was chilly in March when I went through in the upper 40s . Continue west one mile to reach Cow Spring Camp. 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. Cow Spring is the first camp along the way, serious lack of shade can make this a hot camp during the summer and sometimes there is no water at the spring. The main fork of Alder was flowing nicely all the way to the confluence with the Sespe. Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. Alder creek camp and shady camp were clean and both will make nice places to spend the night.. way. on official, secure websites. 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. The water was flowing at the bottom of Alder Creek to Shady. Dripping springs had water flowing but had considerable poison oak and a somewhat dangerous looking traverse to access. LockA locked padlock Stray from the trail map and follow the cairns for the best way across. There was a lot of graffiti and vandalism at the trailhead. Be sure to bring long sleeves and long pants for the overgrown sections, as well as sandals or waterproof boots to cross river sections. - Trail was wide open until the switchbacks down towards Alder, - Some serious brushing is needed heading down the switchbacks through Dripping Spring, https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2018/11/dough-flat-to-sacred-cave-in-sespe.html. We started at around 1 pm and didnt get to camp until 7:30 (~23 min mile pace). that is a private gated community. Go To Hocking Hills, Ohio, The Best Spots To Go Stargazing In Joshua Tree National Park. Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail mdbekins 2 years ago . The second way to Sespe Hot Springs is Alder Creek Trail. The gate from the top is closed because the road is washed out so its about 6 miles to the actual TH. trail will go to Alder Creek and youll reach Alder Camp The trail almost entirely follows the Sespe River. Prepare to get thigh-high wet. We found hot springs that were about 105 degrees which seems hot, but you get used to it. We started from Dough Flats and made it to Shady Camp. 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]. If I had more time I would have completed a proper trail Survey. 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 gate was surprisingly unlocked today! Email:[email protected], 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. 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. Alder Lake Loop: 188 Reviews, Map - New York | AllTrails Trail use and trail camps are on a first-come, first-serve basis, no reservations. When Dough Flat Road is dry, you can drive a 2WD vehicle on the road. Alder Creek trail to Sespe Hot Springs turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat Road toward the Sespe Oil Fields. 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. It too 3 hours to go from Cow Springs to Alder Creek. Check out this 23.2-mile out-and-back trail near Fillmore, California. 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. Lots of nice fall foliage and pretty valley views. Running stream about 1.5 mile in in (looks like this one could dry soon). turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road to Squaw Flat Head out on this 2.6-mile out-and-back trail near South Fork, Colorado. 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 Sespe River Trail (20W13) begins at the turnoff to Shady, where the main trail leaves Alder Creek. 1980 Old Mission Drive Some nice campsites along creek with fire pits. I chose to pee in the woods over it. 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. King City, CA 93930 I would definitely go back. I cant believe this trail is even open to the public in its current condition. Backpacked with packs ~35lbs out and back in two days. Other hikers reported overgrown brush from Alder to Shady Camp. A few reports from the Alder Creek Trail: Not much shade, full sun exposure on most of trail, Dripping Spring Water Report: June 9, 2014. 2 important notes: They are an eyesore. 34580 Lockwood Valley Rd. There were several vehicles up there in addition to ours. There are three main trails you can take to get to Sespe Hot Springs. 150 yards and youll reach Shady Camp, which normally Sometimes the gate is locked and you have to walk an extra 5 miles to the trail head. Then you have to bushwhack through lots of foliage at the top. Update 1-11: Rains have washed out the entry road about 10miles out. on official, secure websites. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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. , Follow the road, being careful to stay on the main road, the side roads will take you to oil well pads. Getting to the springs involves going over eight river crossings, but the water might be shallow or dry during the hot summer months. Water was available in the main stem of Alder Creek and at Dripping Springs. Sespe Hot Springs via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS Started at Dough Flat Gate. 3. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Members get 15+ publications right in your pocket. 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. The trail to Cow Spring is in decent shape. The sections along the creek to Alder camp and the mile after Alder are washed out; there really is no trail left. From the Shady Camp turnoff, it is It is overgrown and there is a slide just past Alder Creek Camp before Cotrtrell Flats Camp. Dough Flat Trailhead via Alder Creek Trail - California | Gaia GPS Open daily 9am - 4pm Each hot spring requires either a short walk or . Turn north on A Street/Goodenough Road and drive 14.1 miles to Dough Flat Trailhead. 2. The second trail called Johnson Ridge Trail is the second option at 9.5 miles one 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. Trail is severely comprimised and travel is not recommended at this time. that is a private gated community. Sespe Camp and the Springs are a dream! This is a narrow rough This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Alder Creek, NY 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor Pit toilet was open but pretty gross. More rains to come this weekend, recommend to wait out til roads are cleared. In the summer it is too hot and there may not be water in the river for parts of the year as well. Easy 4.1 (29) South Fork, Colorado. I cant believe this trail is even open to the public in its current condition. I recommend starting early and packing layers! 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. 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. The last way to the hot spring is Johnson Ridge Trail It is 9.5 miles one way. Alder Creek Camp - Ventura South 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. This trail goes by Dough Flat Trailhead and Sespe Hot Springs. Also through the Creek area, it's easy to lose the trail. We always manage to be able to walk around it. The trail needs some work once you get down to the creek but all in all it was easy to follow. California's Sespe Wilderness - Backpacker #1 - Sespe River Trail to Willett Hot Springs [CLOSED] Sespe Wilderness Length: 20.2 mi Est. [5] Willett Hot Springs are also located in the Sespe Wilderness area. Edit Add a Report Be the first to rate this hike! A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area. The trail from Cow Springs to Alder Creek was extremely overgrown in some parts with downed tress. Location: From McCall, Idaho is 50 miles or about an hour to drive to the hot springs. Started at Dough Flat Gate. 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. 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. Cow Springs had a small pool of clear stagnant water. The trail below Dripping Springs becomes narrow and sections of the tread have been destroyed from winter flooding. Top Hot Springs | Sitemap, 14 Natural Springs Close to Tampa, Florida, Backcountry camping in Los Padres National Forest, 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. 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. We did in 3 days staying at Sespe on the way there and Cow Springs on the way back. Walk peacefully and swiftly by it.. Also one big beehive in one of the camps - but there are many camps to choose from. Some nice campsites along creek with fire pits. 0, Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Visitor Center 9 Hot Springs in California You Need to Visit ASAP