Day 4

April 14, 2018

Sespe Hot Springs to Red Reef Trail


 


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Today's route stats: 

    Distance: 7.0 miles

    Elevation Gain:  650 feet

    Elevation Loss:  850 feet

We were expecting today to be our easiest day.  And it was, except for having to cross Sespe Creek six times.  By the time we got to the trail leading to Willet Hot Springs, it was already mid-afternoon and we thought we wouldn't have enough time to go there and still get to the start of the Red Reef Trail before dusk.  Rich and I had been there before, and although it is apparently popular, it consists of a very large plastic pool (perhaps 12 feet in diameter and 30 inches deep) that wasn't very appealing to Rich and me.  So we continued on without stopping. 

 

Sespe Creek Trail. Sespe Creek Trail. Sespe Creek Trail.

 

We arrived at the start of the Red Reef Trail around 4 PM.  There is no designated campsite there, probably because it is difficult to access Sespe Creek (very steep bank and reeds).  But we found a nice spot not too far from water.  We were a bit surprised that the start of the Red Reef Trail looked so un-used.  We had heard that Thatcher School in Ojai would take students to Willets on horseback.  We saw no evidence of that.

 
Looking Back Toward Willet Hot Spring. Heading Toward Red Reef Trail. Our Camp at the Base of the Red Reef Trail.

 

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