Spring in Sespe Wilderness ~ Los Padres National Forest

I was excited to get back out into the wilderness for the first time since a freezing winter trip in Pescott National Forest. This was my first journey with some of the crew from BPL (Backpackinglight.com) and although I initially went solo I shared the trail with a lot of really cool ultralight hikers. We started at the Piedra Blanca trailhead in Sespe Wilderness just north of Ojai. The winding mountain roads inspired me to do an oil change and dust off the sports car that had been in the garage all winter.  It was a fun drive up PCH past Malibu and east into the wilderness. 



Entering the Piedra Blanca trailhead

The trail starts out dry and dusty.

Soon the Sespe River comes into view.



Baddass rock dude.

There are a few river crossing right away.

 This swimming hold is about 3 1/2 miles from the trailhead. Nice sandy camping spots.

Spring flowers blooming on the trail into camp.

Zpacks Hexamid Solo Tent is made from 0.51 oz/sqyd cuben fiber and weighs just under 8 ozs.

Camping on the Sespe River.

Check out the links below for two short videos of the area ~

Sespe Wilderness

Sespe Swimming Hole