EISPIRATEN

Not really sure if this TR should go here or in the new sub-forum, but whatever.

Made a run to Piedra Blanca in the Los Padres today to play in the rocks. Another gorgeous day in the backcountry, but the lack of rain is evident. When's it gonna start dumping for God's sake? The Sespe is freakin' dust dry, but Piedra Blanca Creek is flowing nicely. Must be spring fed. Lots of folks out which surprised me.

Some pics.



Piedra Blanca from Rose Valley Road


The Sespe


Trail Signage-Gene Marshall NRT


Piedra Blanca


Piedra Blanca II


Piedra Blanca III


Elephant Rock


Looking East Into the Sespe Drainage


View North


Over the Shoulder View as I head North


Piedra Blance Creek


View South from Piedra Blanca Camp


Chumash Rock Art (or what's left of it)


Selfie in Piedra Blanca Creek

The End.

Super cool place. I've only been there once. It's painful to see it so dry!

Great photos though and I bet you had a nice day exploring.

Nice pics, Rico. It's a fun hike all the way up to Pine Mtn Lodge and the other way to Bear Creek as well. Just don't fall off Piedra Blanca like I did a few years ago

The Sespe is dry? Say it isn't so.

HJ

Forgot to mention for Sean and VPG. Just south of Piedra Blanca camp I met an old surfer from Ventura walking along the trail. He was wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and was bare-footed. He told me that as a surfer, he's been walking on rocks all his life so his feet are accustomed to that type of terrain. No need for hiking shoes except when the terrain gets really hairy at which point he puts on sandals. LOL. I felt over-prepared in my trail runners.

Nice rocks, rico. Hope you got some good scrambling done.

Not sure when winter will really arrive along with precip.

Ahhh the Sespe ! Come March by will will be there.

I did this like two weeks ago when I tweaked my hamstring so I was looking for a low impact hike (this was largely a trip to Ojai for dinner, they have some good restaurants there). But super fun climbing on the rocks. The Sespe is dry dry dry dry dry. We hike out of that trailhead a lot (usually toward the hot springs) and I've never seen it that bad.

One of my favorites. -DS

Very nice Rico. Looks like you had a great time!

Thanks Rick. It's a fun place to hang for the day.