Was the original idea for this trip really born from a 2014 black pepper spam post by Jack Elliott? Perhaps he may have been responsible for planting the seed. At the very least his quote beckoning all backcountry Bush crawlers was in fact cemented in the minds of many forever.
Piedra Blanca Trailhead
Middle Lion Campground
The most prominent trips always bring out my best trail mates and this one was no exception. Six of us descended upon Piedra Blanca Trailhead bright and early. Leaving a few cars behind we shuttled over to Middle Lion Campground. A Lovely Lion Canyon trail departs from the southern end of the camp too which we spent but a brief moment upon before swiftly crossing the creek and gaining an old dozer cut running east up along what I will refer to here as the "Middle Lion Ridge."
Climbing up and away from Middle Lion. PB formations playing peek-a-boo in the distance.
As is the case with most ridgelines following this one was straightforward. Expect to gain about 1600' elevation in just over 2 miles. One can still make out the old cut in most places if you look hard enough. This line affords a pristine perspective of the neighborhood. Thorn Point, Trout Creek, Piedra Blanca, the Sespe, Topa Topa's. You name it, it's here and on full display.
Photo Credit NW
This one pulled at my heart strings. Yes I was thinking of you Tom.
JD making the steep drop into "Little Bear"
Watcha looking at fellas?
In a attempt to lay eyes on as much of the canyon as possible upon dropping in we decided to head upstream a bit further before making the final decent. As you will see from the pictures that follow this is a wonderful canyon, especially this time of year. Plenty of pools and mini waterfalls to enjoy. There is no trail (just the way we prefer it). Some climbing, bushwhacking, wet feet, waterfall scrambles, ticks all that good stuff to be had that makes for great adventure travel.
Of course no remote canyon in the Los Padres is without this black tubing nightmare. These asshole growers have taken up shop anywhere and everywhere that receives little to no foot traffic. There is a shit ton of this trash up here that needs to be removed. Should any organization get approval from FS to move on this count me in I will help out.
The V
Took this shot right after telling SB that the beer is locked in Mike's car and he is still halfway up the canyon. :)
The Mighty Sespe
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