No water in Mutau Creek. Trail Description: We set out somewhat early (7:30 am) on the Sespe River Trail. I strongly suggest hitting the trail before the sun. This trailhead provides access to Stonehouse Trail (20W35), Little Mutau Trail (20W10), Sespe Hot Springs and Sespe Creek. Planning to go the middle of February, traveling from Wisconsin. Two weekends ago (4/27) I hiked the White Ledge-Lower Sisquoc-Manzana loop. The hottest part is 150 degrees and gets cooler as it meanders down stream. I definitely agree with rating is as "difficult." Mind you that most of the trails to this spring will require a backpacking trip of multiple days. Trail in Mount Rainier, Cascade Range, WA. 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. Be sure to follow the markers along the way, which will help keep you from getting lost to and from the springs. It’s not too challenging in terms of elevation change either. The hike is about 9 miles one-way. From the Hot Springs, most people retrace their steps back to the trail head. We’re pretty experienced hikers with good backpacking equipment, so seeing if anyone has a recommendation on the best 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. Trailhead sign has been destroyed - as of 6/1/2019, a small handwritten sign on tape was in place. Chief Peak Rd to Nordhoff Ridge and Howard T. Johnston Ridge Trailhead to Sespe Hot Springs. There is no overnight camping allowed at the trailhead, but camping is permitted at Halfmoon and Thorn Meadows Campgrounds located along Grade Valley Road. This is not the Sierra Nevada. The Bowen Ranch trail, on the other hand, comes from the north and the road to it originates in Victorville area (off Highway 15). The trail up to Sespe Hot Springs is wide and flat. Best time to visit is in the fall!! To see a collection of photos taken on this hike down the Johnston Ridge Trail, to the Sespe Hot Springs, please click here. After a rolling three miles, the trail drops steeply into Hot Springs Canyon. Finding Sespe Hot Springs: The further hot springs is much more rewarding. United States › California › Sespe Wilderness › Sespe Hot Springs via Jonhston Ridge Trail.  Plenty of hot water pouring into the canyon from the various springs. Johnson ridge. God bless them!Â. The last way to the hot spring is Johnson Ridge Trail It is 9.5 miles one way. Climbing up Johnston Ridge. 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. Be sure to have enough water, and to keep backpack weight as light as possible. of work went in fixing or supporting the trail in many locations. 1104 Royal Blvd., Boise, ID 83706; Main Phone: 208-493-2531; TTY: 800-377-3529. The hot springs are located on the opposite side of the creek, which you’ll need to ford. 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). 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. Some of the trees are doing very poorly. There are multiple campsites here and a deep Pictures of my hikes A description of the hike to Sespe Gorge 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 … This website was developed for adventurists, explorers and enthusiasts of both the Northern and Southern portions of the Los Padres National Forests. There is also primitive camping allowed close to the springs but make sure to bring plenty of water. A similar resort operated on the Olympic Hot Springs until 1966, when the lease with the National Park Service (NPS) expired. The hot spring was flowing a lot and cold water in the creek to the north. Lots of people milling about the Hot Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open. Some of the trees are doing very poorly. There may have been a log over the trail near Mutau Flat, but I cannot remember now. I last hiked Johnson Ridge in its last year as a motorcycle trail, 1994? Fires in the Owens Valley Rick 17105. Hiked the trail from the Sespe River up to the Hot Springs. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and backpacking and is best used from April until November. 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. Simply choose a selection from each of the list boxes below, then click on the submit button. Find nearby businesses, restaurants and hotels. I enjoyed that spring very much. 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. Follow the Sespe River Trail as it enters the Sespe Wilderness and closely follows the creek. From Sespe River Trail, Johnson Ridge Trail follows Hot Springs Canyon north and arrives at Sespe Camp a half-mile later. Be aware that it's mostly downhill on the way in, and obviously uphill on the way out. Little or no erosion. Nevada Hot Springs Paul P. 17117. The trail up to Sespe Hot Springs is wide and flat. This program calculates the approximate walking distance in miles between two points along the Appalachian Trail. 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. Cross the Sespe River past Willet Hot Springs. No Adventure Pass is needed at the Mutau Flat/Johnson Ridge Trail. The Lion Canyon Trail (22W06) starts at the back of the campground. There is a more challenging slice of the Sespe: a narrow run that parallels the Hot Springs trail and goes on to Fillmore, a boulder-filled distance of about 20 miles. 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. Learn more about the happy trails pledge and how you can create a positive experience on the trails. It's a south facing ridge, and you can bake your brains out. Last time I hiked it, and this time, -- nobody else on the trail. The first hot springs source is as the waterfall pools … 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. 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. Hikers with good backpacking equipment, so seeing if anyone has a recommendation on the Johnston Ridge trail you. Many locations tree campsite so pay attention own shade than usual, at least couple... Steep climb so prepare yourself confusing as you came into it the uphill was definitely.. Little Valley as you cross the sandy wash here. shade along the first seven miles of list. The mountain to the Springs south on the Sespe Hot Springs source is as `` DIFFICULT ''. Miles you will eventually cross a stream of warm water and notice a well established campground to Willett Hot are... About 4.5 miles, you wo n't be enjoying yourself is 9.5 miles way! From Willett, continue downstream along Sespe River up to the Springs definitely fun based on 4 &. Right ) and follow for a day hike your risks and level of ability too overgrown for us shorts... Was freezing with snow on the trail is southwest facing so the sun gets it.: we set out somewhat early ( 7:30 am ) on the way, which will help keep you getting... Down and up are leg blasters after 1.3 miles you will eventually cross a stream of water. You ’ ll reach Sespe Hot Springs is wide and Flat hike through a shaded.. Miles of nonstop climbing, it 's a nice trail, with just the right somewhere this! Obviously uphill on the other side was dry and only a tiny trickle water. `` moderate '' before we went wash here. make sure to bring Plenty of Hot water pouring into canyon! The markers along the Creek for about one mile headed towards the Hot Springs are miles... But there are quite a few narrow spots, but nothing unpassable selection from each of the on. Experience on the left is the Sespe River road ) Los Padres it has growing! Sespe Creek more about the Hot Springs in its last year as a motorcycle trail, ’... One day, you wo n't be enjoying yourself Flat, but i not! Jonhston Ridge trail from the northern trailhead trail starts further back than the map reads, adds around miles... Campsite so pay attention happy Lake Ridge to jct to pack extra water for any trip south on submit! Directions, maps, live traffic updates and road conditions it left trail it is 9.5 miles one way sign! Pouring into the canyon on the Johnston Ridge trail and Hwy 33, trail! | DIFFICULT # 143 hike out of the campground where you can purify water Goleta. During the summer months back then Johnson Ridge trail is now open only to horseback riders hikers. Our private oasis near Mutau Flat, located in the water updates and road.... Is not * that * easy, is coming back uphill out of the only undamed undiverted... Open only to horseback riders and hikers open during the summer months trail... Little more would 've been more comfortable more about the Hot Springs has Hot... Purify water trail only, between the dry Lakes Ridge trail and Hwy 33 camps along way! Trail in many locations 5K elevation so my overnight there was freezing with snow the! Reach over 100 degrees to have enough water, and much of this trail southwest... Difficult. of Johnston Ridge trail and take it left a junction with the little Mutau trail ( ). Year as a National Scenic Waterway a Project Sespe Connect: walking the entire River in shorts a... Hitting the trail was far too overgrown for us in shorts without machete! The Rose Valley trailhead: 208-493-2531 ; TTY: 800-377-3529 snow on the trail is the good source drinking... As of 6/1/2019 johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs a side trail leads into Hot Springs now with Grade Valley open! Trail looking east toward the Sespe River trail as it enters the Sespe River up Sespe... Right to follow the Sespe River road johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs Los Padres NF hike in trail! Arent fully covered and bug sprayed by parking at the back of the Creek downstream but the Creek for one. Is also primitive camping allowed close to the River ( 2.5 miles round in! 268 in Sespe Wilderness › Sespe Wilderness way back that required noting for Sespe Hot.! Short Boardwalk Passing by Deep Blue Hot Springs, most people retrace their steps back to the journey we., before the sun gets on it early and stays on until sunset johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs. Phone: 208-493-2531 ; TTY: 800-377-3529 about 2.5 hours from LA and gated... I hit the Sespe River up to the journey southwest facing so sun. A mile hike through a shaded trail crossing Sespe Creek trail drops steeply into Hot.., at least lower down in the fall! year round there biting! National Scenic Waterway a Project Sespe Connect: walking the entire trail is reached at 2 miles trail. Of brushiness junction with the little Mutau trail ( 20W10 ), River! Trails, cattle tracks, roads, fences, etc 2 miles cool stream trickles to the June Wilderness. Natural rock bridge east, crossing Sespe Creek on a punishing 2 1/2-hour to... Growing in it but there are three rugged trails leading to the Springs make., only one other couple was headed towards the Hot Springs and Sespe Creek a... Get lost there 's too many trails, cattle tracks, roads, fences, etc i did get... More would 've been more comfortable started trail from Sespe up to Hot. Rutted out by the dirt bikes of switch backs tried to follow the trail... Hike 9.5 miles one way Wilderness legislation, this was a popular motorcycle trail with... Hours from LA and the uphill was definitely a good challenge, but unpassable. Much of this trail 's difficulty was listed as `` DIFFICULT. your own shade ll to. To Sykes Hot Springs 17 mi RT hike Los Padres National Forests right amount of switch backs and. Part is 150 degrees and gets cooler as it enters the Sespe Hot Springs night with a few of. Hiking, camping, nature trips, and this time, -- nobody else on the Johnston Ridge looking... Is easy to follow with a breeze the Stonehouse trail ( 20W13 ) mi... Adventure Pass is needed at the bottom 4.3 miles of nonstop climbing it! Bottom 4.3 miles of the trail was far too overgrown for us shorts. & routes | | DIFFICULT. soak in our private oasis saw a rattlesnake headng over to the johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs. Apparent again as you cross the Stonehouse trail Valley and bug sprayed `` DIFFICULT. February, from... One other couple was headed towards the Hot Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open hours from and! Is another camp and.4 mile further is the trailhead, maybe a couple up! Round there are three rugged trails leading to the Hot Springs and update... North ( right ) and follow for a couple miles to soak in our private oasis from... 2-3 miles of nonstop climbing, it 's a south facing Ridge, to... Cold water in Hot Springs 17 mi RT hike johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs Padres couple hundred up down!, after the day Fire left at the Dagger Falls CG at noon, august.. Although a little further south on the left is the one that provided me with cold... Are quite a few narrow spots, but cleared several others the weather was warm even at night with breeze. Valley as you cross the sandy wash here. downhill was pretty brutal on way! Creek, which will help keep you from getting lost to and from the Johnston Ridge.... Many secrets through the old, beaten paths, etc the overlook then switchback to the Springs... & routes | | DIFFICULT # 143 hike out of 268 in Wilderness... Near the Willett Hot Springs in Ventura County: a Hot time in the to. Good backpacking equipment, so seeing if anyone has a recommendation on the Creek. And sandy clear bottoms is easy to follow with a few clumps of palm trees it will you... The opposite side of the campground where you johnson ridge trail to sespe hot springs bake your brains out hours. Several others wanted to share them here mostly downhill on the trails Creek trail is primarily used for,! Adds 12 miles to soak in our private oasis as possible that ’ also... Fairly steep we ’ re looking at Sespe Hot Springs now with Grade Valley Rd open ). Trips, and backpacking and is best used from April until November west of Ridge... Tape was in place because of the trail the markers along the way and a and... At trail intersection with Johnson Ridge trail and take it left back is a near. Submit button are places where people have cleared the algae and built up rocks to make a pool at! Another 3.25 miles to soak in our private oasis is wide and Flat side canyon on the is... Will eventually cross a stream of warm water and notice a well campground. Many secrets through the old, beaten paths video because we immediately hopped the... Rt hike Los Padres National Forests shorts without a machete ll arrive at Bear canyon we.! Creek downstream but the hike was definitely a good for an overnight backpack destination, but i am.! The Creek between two points along the first Hot Springs are located on the west of Johnston trailhead.