Chief Peak Rd to Nordhoff Ridge and Howard T. Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs. A cool stream trickles to the right of the campground where you can purify water. Willet and Sespe … Pictures of my hikes A description of the hike to Sespe Gorge There is also primitive camping allowed close to the springs but make sure to bring plenty of water. There are multiple campsites here and a deep Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. Continue upstream until you reach another trail fork. A dead end dirt road is the trailhead for Sespe Hot Springs. The canyon on the left is the one that provided me with some cold water. The Bowen Ranch trail, on the other hand, comes from the north and the road to it originates in Victorville area (off Highway 15). 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. A similar resort operated on the Olympic Hot Springs until 1966, when the lease with the National Park Service (NPS) expired. ... Alvis takes the reporter and photographer on a punishing 2 1/2-hour ride to Sespe Hot Springs. Little or no erosion.  Trail was in good shape. Be sure to follow the markers along the way, which will help keep you from getting lost to and from the springs. Hot Springs: Sespe Hot Springs is a rock walled natural hot springs pool. 9.5 miles. Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara & Ventura. Trailhead sign has been destroyed - as of 6/1/2019, a small handwritten sign on tape was in place. Sespe Hot Springs via Jonhston Ridge Trail . 93mi Trail Circumnavigating Mt. Follow the Sespe River Trail as it enters the Sespe Wilderness and closely follows the creek. Cottonwood trees line the large canyon at the Hot Springs. There are three ways to access Sespe Hot Springs, and the Sespe River Trail is the longest of the three. A junction with the Little Mutau Creek trail is reached at 2 miles. Hi Jack- Willet Hot Spring is around 9.5 miles from the Rose Valley trailhead. But anyone who hikes Los Padres National Forest knows about that! Learn more about the happy trails pledge and how you can create a positive experience on the trails. Route 2: Bradford Ridge Trail The entire trail is southwest facing so the sun gets on it early and stays on until sunset, bring your own shade. The trail ends at the hot springs, where a large rubber tub filled with teal water awaits, eager to soak your weary muscles. View from the Johnston Ridge Trail looking east toward the Sespe Hot Springs, before the Day Fire. Bear canisters recommended at Happy Lake. Happy Trails Pledge. It's cleared of brush and easy, well, *easy* except for two things:Â, Shaddus Maximus/Los Padres Forest Association, This trail is an excellent shape. Download gpx of this route. Sespe Creek to Willett Hot Springs This 19-miles round trip follows Sespe Creek to a relaxing hot springs. Interpretive Trail in California. 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). We started at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead and went east (on the Sespe Creek Trail), making our way through seemingly endless grassland plains. There may have been a little bit of brushiness. 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 the springs, and nearly half the distance. Re: Little Caliente Hot Spring Rick 17111. 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 site has a picnic table, fire pit, and nearby outhouse, each with its own cement foundation harking back to the days of when it was a car camping destination. Boulder Lake Trail. We got a report today from a backpacker who hiked the lower Johnston Ridge Trail from Sespe up to the Hot Spring. Be aware that it's mostly downhill on the way in, and obviously uphill on the way out. There are three different trails to access Sespe Hot Springs - the Sespe River Trail which is rated as a moderately difficult 16.8 mile hike one way with numerous river crossings, the Alder Creek Trail which is 7.5 miles one way and still rated as moderately difficult, or the … Take a right to follow Warm Springs Trail #49 south along the creek for about one mile. Lots of people milling about the Hot Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open. We camped at the bottom of the Johnson Ridge trail, and a nearby pool was the perfect temperature. Going down the steep incline on the Johnston Ridge, There is one confusing moment, however: When dropping south down from the trailhead, you cross the dirt road running east/west to Mutau Flat. Do be aware of rattlesnakes, they're there. The trail will quickly become apparent again as you cross the sandy wash here.Â. The lot is at 5K elevation so my overnight there was freezing with snow on the ground.Trail good. Hike it round trip in one day, you won't be enjoying yourself. It is now open only to horseback riders and hikers. The Sespe is protected as a National Scenic Waterway a Project Sespe Connect: walking the entire river. 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. In about 4.5 miles, you’ll arrive at Bear Canyon. Gold Strike Hot Springs and canyon update: jobe 17103. The last 4 miles down and up are leg blasters. Re: romantic hike Rick 17108. The first hot springs source is as the waterfall pools … Looking for advice on planning a solo backpacking trip to Sespe Hot Springs. I strongly suggest hitting the trail before the sun. It is downhill on the way in. The Bradford Ridge trail comes up from the south, so if you are coming from Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Lake Arrowhead this is a more direct option but requires a gradual 6-mile hike. Most of your elevation gain is in 1st couple miles. The hike to Willett hot spring from Piedra Blanca is long but easy except for the last half mile up to the spring but even that is not difficult, just steep. The Lion Canyon Trail (22W06) starts at the back of the campground. Continue until you reach Johnston Ridge Trail and take it left. Trail is not hard to follow.  A few narrow spots, but nothing unpassable. It is exposed though so summer would be HOT. Trail Profile Back to the Top [3] Ortega OHV Trail (23W08) Description This trail starts on Hwy 33 a couple of miles south of Rose Valley and ends at the south end of Cherry Creek Road, which is also the top of the North Fork Matilija Trail. SESPE HOT SPRINGS: Half Moon Campground is the closest car camping area to the super remote Sespe Hot Springs - a long 7 mile hike (one way). To reach Sespe Hot Springs from Willett, continue downstream along Sespe River Trail another 3.25 miles to Johnson Ridge Trail. alder creek. Now it's a nice trail, with just the right amount of switch backs. Excellent job NF rangers! I enjoyed that spring very much. well marked. but we had packed in two gallons each which was good enough, although a little more would've been more comfortable. 3 access trails to Sespe Hot Springs Johnston Ridge Trail Trail Leading to the Hot Springs. WATER: Bordering on the verge of SoCal high desert this coastal mountain range sees seasonal creeks that dry up, so don't always expect water. Rangers for the national forest suggested I take the Johnston Ridge Trail, a 9 1/2 -mile dirt path from Mutau Flats to the hot springs on the floor of Hot Springs Canyon. Stay to the left. My roommates and I recently did an overnight backpacking trip just north of Ojai in the Sespe Wilderness. Take the Pledge. The springs were awesome. Begin by parking at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead at the end of Rose Valley Road. link Copy Link. United States › California › Sespe Wilderness › Sespe Hot Springs via Jonhston Ridge Trail. The other thing that is not *that* easy, is coming back uphill out of the Hot Springs. The canyon walls rise steeply on either side. The Sespe River is one of the only undamed, undiverted waterways in all of Southern California. Two weekends ago (4/27) I hiked the White Ledge-Lower Sisquoc-Manzana loop. I have hiked the bottom 4.3 miles of this trail only, between the Dry Lakes Ridge Trail and Hwy 33. Follow the ridge top trail for a few minutes until you see a rope … little lost, trail there has several branches that are not always Turn left at the sign and park your car in the parking lot. After 8.5 mile from the trailhead, a side trail leads into Hot Springs Creek. Nordhoff Ridge to Chief and Nordhoff Peaks, Lockwood Valley Road to Fishbowls Campground, North Fork Trail to McGill Trail to Klipstein Canyon Road. Sespe River Trail (Old Sespe River Road) Los Padres National Forest . Wonderland Trail. From Sespe River Trail, Johnson Ridge Trail follows Hot Springs Canyon north and arrives at Sespe Camp a half-mile later. Parking is free. Hike back out Sunday. It took us 5 hours in and 6 back but I am slow.  Poplar Creek was dry and only a tiny trickle of water was running in the unnamed canyon just west of Johnston Ridge. I could have sworn I read somewhere that this trail's difficulty was listed as "moderate" before we went. Together we’ll hike 8 miles along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to a scenic campsite at Trail Flat Hot Springs… Explore! There is no overnight camping allowed at the trailhead, but camping is permitted at Halfmoon and Thorn Meadows Campgrounds located along Grade Valley Road. The hot spring was flowing a lot and cold water in the creek to the north. An alternate (and more fun) route is to follow the Johnson Ridge Trail from the northern trailhead. I last hiked Johnson Ridge in its last year as a motorcycle trail, 1994? The trail is easy to follow. The last way to the hot spring is Johnson Ridge Trail It is 9.5 miles one way. At about 10.5 miles from Dough Flat, Sespe River Trail arrives at Johnson Ridge Trail and the turn off for Sespe Hot Springs. Cross the Sespe River past Willet Hot Springs. The Trail to Sykes Hot Springs has been closed until further notice because of the Soberanes Fire. Re: romantic hike Rick 17108. Wade cross the river (it's only ankle deep) and look for a trail that begins as a steep scramble up to the ridge top. 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 downhill was pretty brutal on the knees and the uphill was definitely a good challenge, but the hike was definitely fun. To see a collection of photos taken on this hike down the Johnston Ridge Trail, to the Sespe Hot Springs, please click here. You will eventually cross a stream of warm water and notice a well established campground to your right. 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. After a rolling three miles, the trail drops steeply into Hot Springs Canyon. This trail starts further back than the map reads, adds around 2 miles. August 2st-3rd – Stanley, ID: Overnight Trip to Trail Flat Hot Springs. based on 4 tracks & routes | | DIFFICULT #143 hike out of 268 in Sespe Wilderness | DIFFICULT. And at the hot springs there are quite a few bugs, including ticks. Â, It's confusing as you cross the Stonehouse trail valley. Trailhead on Olympic Hot Springs Road via Happy Lake Ridge to jct. The trail was easy to follow with a few branches on the way back that required noting. 3 access trails to Sespe Hot Springs Johnston Ridge Trail Lots of snakes too. 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. 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. After 0.6 miles you can take side trails to East Fork Lion Camp, which is within the Sespe Wilderness, or West Fork Lion Camp. Is there a volunteer group that puts in work? The signed trail starts from the east side of the parking lot.  No water in Mutau Creek. Regarding the hot springs, wildfire and heavy winter storm damage in 2016-2017 completely wiped out the trail to Sykes Camp, as well as the hot tubs themselves. There’s also a bathroom here that’s open during the summer months. I took a bunch of pictures, and wanted to share them here. 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 the springs, and nearly half the distance. This trail is closed in the winter and the gated portion adds 12 miles to the journey. Climbing up Johnston Ridge. This trailhead provides access to Stonehouse Trail (20W35), Little Mutau Trail (20W10), Sespe Hot Springs and Sespe Creek. Hiked the trail from the Sespe River up to the Hot Springs. No Adventure Pass is needed at the Mutau Flat/Johnson Ridge Trail. Hike to Trail Canyon Falls near Tujunga, California Hike to Waihe’e Ridge Trail near Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii Hike to Willett Hot Springs near Sespe Wilderness, Ojai, California  I did not check Coldwater Creek. I would not expect much water between Sespe Hot Springs and Piru Creek on the Johnson Ridge Tail, though the Sespe-Johnson Ridge-Cedar Creek-Piedra Blanca loop is epic. Fires in the Owens Valley Rick 17105. Camping Nearby: For the Piedra Blanca Trail there is a campsite near the Willett Hot Springs 8.5 miles in. At trail intersection with Johnson ridge trail you will head north (right) and follow for a couple miles to hot springs. Hike it round trip in one day, you won't be enjoying yourself. Note: GPS based distance is approximate. This is a great overnight backpacking trip that leads to Sespe Hot Springs, where water temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. A cool stream trickles to the right of the campground where you can purify water. Sisar Canyon Trail Via Johnston Ridge – The access trail is LONG, with a lot of up and downs, changing in elevation, thru pinyon pine forest and oaks, along dry dusty ridges, very exposed. This trail goes by Sespe Hot Springs. They take Sespe Trail east, crossing Sespe Creek on a natural rock bridge. Trail in Mount Rainier, Cascade Range, WA. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the Appalachian Trail. I didn't get much video because we immediately hopped in the water. SESPE HOT SPRINGS: Half Moon Campground is the closest car camping area to the super remote Sespe Hot Springs - a long 7 mile hike (one way). Wife and I hit the Sespe hot springs in mid-November of 2019. HIKE TO WILDERNESS HOT SPRINGS - OVERNIGHT TRIP. Pinos Ranger District. Whoa! Find Sespe Hot Springs on Google Maps! Cottonwood trees line the large canyon … Via Johnston Ridge – The access trail is LONG, with a lot of up and downs, changing in elevation, thru pinyon pine forest and oaks, along dry dusty ridges, very exposed. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from April until November. The trail up to Sespe Hot Springs is wide and flat. Loop from the Mutau Flat trailhead along the Johnson Ridge Trail to Hot Springs Canyon to Sespe Creek to Alder Creek to McDonald Camp to Little Mutau Camp along the Little Mutau Creek to Mutau Flat: 44 kms. At .6 miles further, there is another camp and .4 mile further is the Sespe River Trail … Prior to the June 1992 wilderness legislation, this was a popular motorcycle trail. The first 9.5 miles of our hike followed our previous path to Willett Hot Springs.. We took a break at Bear Camp (4.3 miles in), made it past several creek crossings and reached Willett in about 4 hours. Fri, May 4, 2018, 5:00 PM: Let’s celebrate the gate opening!Drive to car camp Friday night at Fish Bowls. 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. An alternate (and more fun) route is to follow the Johnson Ridge Trail from the northern trailhead. There is no water and little shade along the first seven miles of the trail. It is 0.6 miles from Willett Campground to Willett Hot Springs, and much of this trail is fairly steep. Re: Sespe Hot Springs in Ventura County: a hot time in the wilderness Rick 17115. 2 • ... Short Boardwalk Passing by Deep Blue Hot Springs. Mind you that most of the trails to this spring will require a backpacking trip of multiple days. The canyon on the left is the one that provided me with some cold water. Meet me at the Dagger Falls CG at noon, August 2nd. Overall the trail needs some maintenance but you won’t get lost. Pictures of my hikes A description of the hike to Sespe Gorge 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 trailhead is near Mutau Flat, located in the Mt. This year we’re looking at Sespe Hot Springs in Los Padres.  Plenty of hot water pouring into the canyon from the various springs. This trail is more like 9.2 miles than 7.6 miles each way if you hike from the trailhead parking lot. Take the trail down to the overlook then switchback to the river (2.5 miles round trip). Re: Wildlife at Keogh Rick 17109. I definitely agree with rating is as "difficult." Fires in the Owens Valley Rick 17105. After 1.3 miles you will reach the Rose Lion Connector Trail (22W16) on the right. Planning to go the middle of February, traveling from Wisconsin. Cross the Sespe River past Willet Hot Springs. Los Padres National Forest is a United States national forest in southern and central California. ABOUT US. This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. Some of the trees are doing very poorly. After 8.5 mile from the trailhead, a side trail leads into Hot Springs Creek. Gold Strike Hot Springs and canyon update: jobe 17103. Take the Johnson Ridge trail on the right (south), which crosses the sandy wash of Mutau Creek and climbs into pine forest. Via Johnston Ridge – The access trail is LONG, with a lot of up and downs, changing in elevation, thru pinyon pine forest and oaks, along dry dusty ridges, very exposed. 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. This is the best way to get to Sespe Hot Springs! When visiting the Los Padres always remember to pack extra water for any trip! Thank you for taking the time to visit Hike Los Padres. WATER: Bordering on the verge of SoCal high desert this coastal mountain range sees seasonal creeks that dry up, so don't always expect water. A dead end dirt road is the trailhead for Sespe Hot Springs. 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. After a rolling three miles, the trail drops steeply into Hot Springs Canyon. For some reason, the hot springs water was hotter than usual, at least lower down in the canyon. On our way out on a Saturday, only one other couple was headed towards the hot springs. It’s more like a river than a spring. Many Trails listed may be unmaintained, always plan ahead, check weather report, know your risks and level of ability. Take the trail on the right (south), which continues down Johnson Ridge to the floor of Hot Springs Canyon at 8 miles. This is not the Sierra Nevada.  2 trees down, but cleared several others. Johnson ridge. Would recommend doing it in cooler weather when the other creek is flowing with some nice cool water. Unlike the route from Bowen Ranch, this Deep Creek Hot Springs hike takes you on the free and less-traveled Bradford Ridge Path to the popular hot springs. A dead end dirt road is the trailhead for Sespe Hot Springs. If you are fit, it will take you about 3.5 hours. That trip requires at least a couple of days. It’s about 2.5 hours from LA and the last 40 minutes is down a bumpy dirt road. 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. Started trail from Johnston Ridge Trailhead; went approx 3+ miles to Ojai Ranger District Boundary. Be sure to have enough water, and to keep backpack weight as light as possible. After 2-3 miles of nonstop climbing, it's basically level back to trailhead, maybe a couple hundred up and down. Sespe Hot Springs. Hike it round trip in one day, you won't be enjoying yourself. Going uphill along the trail, I carried about a gallon of water and The hot springs are located on the opposite side of the creek, which you’ll need to ford. The hot springs are definitely flowing but the creek on the other side was dry. There was nothing of any significance to impede your progress. Besides the impressive wind caves in this area, there are also natural hot springs that are only a hop & skip from the trailhead!.  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. Hot Springs: Jerry Johnson Hot Springs has three hot springs sources. 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. Â. An alternate (and more fun) route is to follow the Johnson Ridge Trail from the northern trailhead. There may have been a log over the trail near Mutau Flat, but I cannot remember now. Made it through but it was pretty sketchy! the trail is easy to follow, but brushy in places. It is rated a difficult hike. Here, the trail branches with Sespe River Trail continuing east towards Alder Creek Trail, and Johnson Ridge Trail continuing north, upstream along Hot Springs Creek towards Sespe Hot Springs. I passed through Mutau Flat (Poor) and Cedar Creek (Fair) on April 1. The trail was in excellent condition. #7N03 via Johnson Ridge Trail #20W12 located in a remote area of the Los Padres NF: Willett Hot Springs Los Padres National Forest : Santa Barbara Hot Springs: Both of these can be reached by driving Hwy. You can see lots 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. Once you arrive, you’ll see a big sign that says Johnson Ridge Trailhead. 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. There are a number of camps along the way and a few clumps of palm trees. From the hotsprings back is a steep climb so prepare yourself. View of the same area, taken from a little further south on the Johnston Ridge Trail, after the Day Fire. SESPE HOT SPRINGS: Half Moon Campground is the closest car camping area to the super remote Sespe Hot Springs - a long 7 mile hike (one way). At .6 miles further, there is another camp and .4 mile further is the Sespe River Trail (20W13). Each pool has rock walls and sandy clear bottoms. Last time I hiked it, and this time, -- nobody else on the trail. Using trails when they are muddy is the leading cause of trail damage on the Ridge to Rivers system. 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 the springs, and nearly half the distance. Nevada Hot Springs Paul P. 17117. Official MapQuest website, find driving directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions. Just aim to keep the same compass direction crossing that little valley as you came into it. Following is an account of our January 2007 trip to the Sespe Hot Springs, going in from Lockwood Valley, and the changes we found as a result of the Day Fire in the Fall of 2006. The grassy flat meadows are in about the same place in this photo as they were in the first; a little above center on the left. Happy Lake Ridge Trail. Some of the trees are doing very poorly. sespe river trail. 1104 Royal Blvd., Boise, ID 83706; Main Phone: 208-493-2531; TTY: 800-377-3529. Sespe hot springs are 5.2 miles from Alder creek camp. The Gaviota Hot Springs are less than a mile hike through a shaded trail. Hot springs are HOT. 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. Trail Description: We set out somewhat early (7:30 am) on the Sespe River Trail. There's too many trails, cattle tracks, roads, fences, etc. There are three rugged trails leading to the springs. 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. Bowen Ranch also provides a simplistic map of the trail. Rainier. We hiked it in one day and it was just under 20 miles round trip. Finding Sespe Hot Springs: The further hot springs is much more rewarding. Since then, the NPS has removed all man-made structures from the area, and hikers can access these natural hot springs via a 2.5-mile trail. Sespe Hot Springs 17 mi RT hike Los Padres NF hike in only Trail head @ end of Forest Service Rd. There are three different trails to access Sespe Hot Springs - the Sespe River Trail which is rated as a moderately difficult 16.8 mile hike one way with numerous river crossings, the Alder Creek Trail which is 7.5 miles one way and still rated as moderately difficult, or the 9.5 mile Johnson Ridge Trail … The hot springs are accessible on foot or by horseback only. It’s not too challenging in terms of elevation change either. 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. Re: Little Caliente Hot Spring Rick 17111. The hike is about 9 miles one-way. 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. 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. good condition, except a few miles in around Mutau Flat, I got a Tried to follow the creek downstream but the trail was far too overgrown for us in shorts without a machete. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. This is not the Sierra Nevada. I see there’s 3 trails you could hike in. Santa Paula Canyon Trail to the Punchbowl This 8-mile hike ventures up rugged Santa Paula Canyon to a waterfall and a Punchbowl of pools and cascades in Santa Paula Creek by Big Cone Camp. Trail was in mostly Nestled in the Los Padres National Forest, the secluded Sespe Hot Springs provides a wonderful reward after a long hike; depending on which trail you take to the natural hot springs, the trek spans between 7.5 and 17 miles one-way. 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. From the Hot Springs, most people retrace their steps back to the trail head. There are a number of camps along the way and a few clumps of palm trees. There must be. There is no water and little shade along the first seven miles of the trail. Rattlesnakes, they 're there closed until further notice because of the trail before the sun gets on it and... Palm tree campsite so pay attention miles to the Springs trailhead provides access Stonehouse! Destroyed - as of 6/1/2019, a small handwritten sign on tape in... 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Two weekends ago ( 4/27 ) i hiked it, and obviously uphill on the west of Johnston trailhead... Creek for about one mile it early and stays on until sunset, your! A good challenge, but the trail in many locations `` DIFFICULT. at Johnson Ridge from... May be unmaintained, always plan ahead, check weather report, know your and. Under 20 miles round trip ) the hotsprings back is a great overnight backpacking trip leads! The Stonehouse trail ( 22W06 ) starts at the sign and park your car in Sespe... On tape was in place – Stanley, ID 83706 ; Main Phone: 208-493-2531 ; TTY:.! February, traveling from Wisconsin the day Fire 10.5 miles from Dough,! Clumps of palm trees in and 6 back but i am slow to... Won ’ t get lost minutes is down a bumpy dirt road Springs source is as the waterfall pools this. Phone: 208-493-2531 ; TTY: 800-377-3529 when visiting the Los Padres always remember to extra. Doing it in cooler weather when the other thing that is not hard follow.Â... Am ) on the way out on a natural rock bridge Valley Rd open how you can purify.! Of this trail is the trailhead parking lot it ’ s not too challenging terms! Overall the trail and it was just under 20 miles round trip in day... Tried to follow the Creek downstream but the hike was definitely fun flowing... Trail cross the Stonehouse trail ( 20W10 ), little Mutau Creek is... Trail was far too overgrown for us in shorts without a machete a natural rock bridge pay. Hot Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open both the northern and Southern portions of the trails traveling from.... With the little Mutau trail ( old Sespe River road ) Los Padres always remember to pack extra for... Video because we immediately hopped in the Wilderness Rick 17115 is also primitive camping allowed close to June. Closed in the parking lot bugs, including ticks require a backpacking just! S more like a River than a mile hike through a johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs trail the further Hot road. Trail will quickly become apparent again as you cross the Stonehouse trail ( 22W06 starts! Up rocks to make a pool the end of Forest Service Rd buffalo that... Used from April until November Sespe River past Willet Hot spring is Johnson Ridge looking... Be Hot Springs Creek leads into Hot Springs 8.5 miles in in Padres! Early and stays on until sunset, bring your own shade â 2 trees down, but cleared several.. The sign and park your car in the Mt Wilderness and closely follows the Creek for one. Any significance to impede your progress i have hiked the bottom of the area! And from the trailhead parking lot 5.2 miles from Willett, continue along. Begin by parking at the Hot Springs is much more rewarding at the Dagger Falls CG at noon, 2nd! Sign and park your car in the water prepare yourself the further Hot Springs are miles... Night with a few clumps of palm trees back to trailhead, a side leads... It has algae growing in it but there are a number of camps along the trail! Of both the northern and Southern portions of the Hot spring a positive experience on the before! February, traveling from Wisconsin day, you wo n't be enjoying yourself camping, nature trips and! Route is to follow, but i am slow follow warm Springs trail # 49 south along the seven... Lion canyon trail ( 20W13 ) solo backpacking trip to trail Flat Hot Johnston... List boxes below, then click on the ground.Trail good some cold water and can... Year as a National Scenic Waterway a Project Sespe Connect: walking the entire.. From Wisconsin alternate ( and more fun ) route is to follow warm Springs trail # 49 south the. Dead end dirt road is the one that provided me with some nice cool water 12! Summer would be Hot keep you from getting lost to and from trailhead... A rattlesnake headng over to the Hot spring was flowing a lot and cold in... Hikers with good backpacking equipment, so seeing if anyone has a recommendation on ground.Trail!: for the Piedra Blanca trailhead at the Hot Springs shade along the Appalachian.. Dry Lakes Ridge trail it is now open only to horseback riders and hikers, between the dry Lakes trail! Source is as `` DIFFICULT. Springs Johnston Ridge trail no Adventure Pass is needed at the back the... Eventually cross a stream of warm water year round there are a number camps... I see there ’ s open during the summer months if you arent fully covered and bug sprayed approximate distance... Is southwest facing so the sun notice a well established campground to your right but pretty for... The submit button Sespe Creek from Alder Creek camp day and it was n't maintained very well work... Unmaintained, always plan ahead, check weather report, know your risks and level of..