From Sespe River Trail, Johnson Ridge Trail follows Hot Springs Canyon north and arrives at Sespe Camp a half-mile later. https://www.trailrunproject.com/trail/7017817/sespe-river-trail This trail is pet friendly. There are multiple campsites here and a deep Willett Hot Springs Camping on Sespe River Trail. Cow Spring had some water flowing and the camp showed little signs of use. The trail does not run along side the Sespe River, more accurately the Sespe Creek in its current condition, but the green trees that follow the river are never out of eye shot. Was grateful there was still plenty of water for swimming, drinking and making food. Dripping springs had water flowing but had considerable poison oak and a somewhat dangerous looking traverse to access. While there are a few different trails in this area, the most popular and worthwhile is probably the Sespe Creek Trail, a roughly 18-mile route that follows the creek as it weaves through the canyon, creating a number of swimming holes and passing plenty of pleasant groves that are great for camping. The hike: Cross Sespe Creek and follow the trail briefly north to a junction with Piedra Blanca Trail (a path that visits the area’s white rock formations). Cell phone reception is non-existent in the Los Padres Forest. Sespe River Trail to Willett Hot Springs Basics: This scenic 20+ mile (roundtrip) hike follows Sespe Creek through one of Southern California’s most interesting and rugged wilderness areas. Begin by parking at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead at the end of Rose Valley Road. It also is perhaps one of the easiest trails in the Sespe to access, with a trailhead on scenic Highway 33. There is camping available near the hot springs. The Sespe River Trail is located 12.4 miles from Fillmore, California (CA) in Los Padres National Forest. 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. Backcountry camping in Sespe Wilderness is free and easy, and there is plenty of it along Sespe Creek between the Piedra Blanca trailhead and Willett Hot Springs (and beyond). The trail is perfect for families with small children. Dogs must be on a leash. Sespe River Trail to Willett Hot Springs is about 20 mile. The Middle Sespe Trail (22W04) parallels the middle segment of Sespe Creek proposed for addition to the Sespe Wilderness and Wild & Scenic River. Download the free Devils Heart Peak topo map. There are three ways to access Sespe Hot Springs, and the Sespe River Trail is the longest of the three. At the end of this long hike is a 100-degree hot spring- great for soaking in after the trek. Compare elevation, range, calories and other trail … In about 4.5 miles, you’ll arrive at Bear Canyon. Follow the Sespe River Trail as it enters the Sespe Wilderness and closely follows the creek. The trail ends at the hot springs, where a large rubber tub filled with teal water awaits, eager to soak your weary muscles. An overnight summer backpacking trip. The spring months are ideal for visiting Sespe Hot Springs as the summer temperatures can climb to 100 degrees or more. Rose Valley Road is also the entry place for several popular backcountry trails, including Sespe River Trail, noted for its trout fishing and swimming holes, and Piedra Blanca, with its striking gorges and beautifully weathered white-rock formations. From the Dough Flat trailhead to the junction with the Sespe River trail the Alder creek trail is clear and in good shape with no issues.