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Hot Springs trip, Nov. 11-12 2006
No trip! Hot Springs Closed due to fire
Backpacking to one of the two hot springs mentioned below. If you'd like to come, pleae email srbecker. Most of the information below is copied directly from Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Southwest by Marjorie Gersh-Young.
Option 1: Sespe Hot Springs
Near the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. A remote, pristine host spring river located in the rugged, desert mountains of a designated wilderness area. Elevation 2,800'. Open all year, subject to flash flooding and Forest Service closures.
Natural mineral water flows out of the side of a mountain and several other sources at 185 F, cooling as it flows through a series of shallow, voluneer-built, riverrock soaking pools. Clothing optional.
There are no services on the premises. Access is via a steep nine-mile hiking trail from Mutau Flat. Once on Mutau Flat road follow the road until it splits, over 3 miles. Take the right fork heading uphill and then back down to another creek. The road forks right again and the trail continues west for another 3 miles. When the road splits again, take the right fork to the pools.
Horsers and mules are also allowed on the trails. A Forest Service permit is required to enter the area at any time.
Be sure to inquire at the Los Padres National Forest office about fire season closures, flood warnings and the adequacy of your perparations for packing in and packing out. Make sure to get a map!
GPS: N 34 35.680 W 118 59.870
Links: a description by a Boy Scout troup, and Google Maps. Mt. Pinos Ranger station: 661-245-3731.
Option 2: Willett Hot Springs
Near the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Hard to find, remote hot spring nestled ina beautiful canyon above the remnants of an abandoned ranch. Elevation 3,300'. Open all year; subject to flash flooding and Forest Service closure.
Natural mineral water at 108 F flows from numerous places out of the canyon walls and is collected into PVC pipes. One is used for a shower and the other high-flowrate pipe fills a 10 by 2-foot deep soaking tub that was helicoptered in years ago. Clothing optional.
There are no services on the premises. However, a pack group still maintains a drinking water spring, corral, barbecue area and several of the cabins once used by the ranch. Access if via an easy, mostly flat, ten mile trail from Lion campground. Horses and mules are allowed on the trail. A forest service fire permit (free) as well as an Adventure Pass are required to enter the area and park at the trailhead.
Directions: From Lion Campground trail head, take the trail that veers to the left just before the main trail crosses the river. Follow this trail into the boulder field and head for the clusters of dogwood holding up a large horizontal log. Just behind the log is a pair of trees markign the "moat" crossig directly across from where the spring water exits the canyon. The steep 0.3 of a mile trail up to the springs starts by the stone fireplace below the first cabin with the caved-in roof. There's a nice camping spot just before the tub.
GPS: N 34 34.920 W 119 02.640
Links: Google Maps. Ojai Ranger District: 805-646-4348.