West Fork Piedra Blanca

Feeling a bit disappointed that my Bluff/Cienega Camps trip was cancelled this weekend I needed something extraordinary to help ease my sorrows. I could think of no better place to accomplish this than the West Fork of Piedra Blanca Creek. I've read of its wonders but in no way was I prepared for just how magnificent this drainage is. My personal opinion, as far as Los Padres is concerned it doesn't get  better. Rivals the beauty of the Sierras and that's saying something. I took way to many pictures but dammit I just couldn't keep my phone in my pocket. This was the first time I found myself wishing I had and could operate a real camera. My Iphone pictures won't do much justice and I find myself at a loss for words to really describe how nice it is, so I will be showing you a disappropriate amount of photos, hope you enjoy them. (Click any one to enlarge) This drainage will for sure always hold a special place in my heart should you decide to pay a visit please be nice. 

First nice flat area upon cresting the North Fork.

By 7:30 am we were crossing the Sespe and making our way onto the Gene Marshall - Piedra Blanca Trail toward our first Destination at Pine Mountain Lodge (About 6.5 miles). Near Twin forks Camps the creek splits with the trail following the North fork to your right and the west fork or main fork of Piedra Blanca Creek to your left. This would later be our exit point back onto the Gene Marshall. From here until PML it is an uphill assault. In about 3 miles you go from around 3600 feet elevation to just under 6000'. If you are not familiar with this area I have an earlier more detailed post to get you started regarding the lower section you can read here. https://christopherplord.blogspot.com/2018/10/piedra-blanca-from-rose-valley.html. 

Photos above highlighting some features surrounding PML

I absolutely love the Pine Mountain Lodge location. After cresting the rather hot and exposed north fork it is as if you are instantly teleported into a real conifer forest. The chaparral disappears and Pines and Cedar's take center stage. Huge rock formations dot the landscape in all directions, leaving endless opportunity for exploration. Besides Descending the west fork I also wanted to get a look at the new sign installed at the junction with the Cedar Creek Trail and assess the current condition of Pine Mountain Lodge Camp. Recently the forest Service directed UTMOC to come and remove the old Signs around PML and Three Mile Camps and replace them with new non mileage having and more policy orientated wilderness signs. I was and am still not happy about this. I wish they would stop removing our history from these places. Those old signs bring joy to my heart. Here is a photo below of the new sign and one of my favorite ones that was recently removed. 

New Sign with no mileage about 100 feet or so from the main camp

This one was removed hopefully I will see it again someday, possibly even displayed at Wheeler Gorge visitors center

Just off the Junction with the Gene Marshall and Cedar Creek Trail is the main Pine Mountain Lodge Camp. The site seemed to be in fine condition and more spruced up then the last time I passed through here. Main camp coordinates: N34° 36' 58.3" W119° 10' 37.6" The first site has some shade the others are quite exposed. All sites have nice kitchens and the spring was flowing near camp.

0.2 mile as the crow flies southwest of the main camp sits the original Pine mountain Lodge site. Here you have a large flat area that can accommodate many tents, a good sized fire ring, makeshift benches, Ice can stove and the "rarely seen in wilderness areas picnic table". (See photos Below) Original camp coordinates: N34° 36' 53.7" W119° 10' 47.0" (11/21 CORRECTION I NOW BELIEVE PREVIOUSLY I WAS WRONG AND THAT THE ORIGINAL CAMP WITH THE CABIN WAS THE ONE PICTURED ABOVE.)

Scattered about near the original and main camp are also a few guerrilla sites with fire rings. one I noted back along the trail shortly after topping out on the ridge and another northwest of the original Camp. After finishing up everything we came to see at PML we followed the drainage north a short distance veered west and dropped into the West fork. 

Immediately I knew we were in for a treat, a little hidden paradise. This my friends is the real deal. What's that you say another waterfall oh yea, pools loaded with little native rainbow trout you betcha. Big boulders, crystal clear waters and massive cedars yes indeed. 

Look closely can you spot the trout ?

There is no trail whatsoever through this section. One hundred percent a pick your own path. The upper half is much more manageable than the extreme chaparral jungle section which awaits you closer to the exit point. Plan on basically boulder hopping and creek slogging the majority of the way. Water levels are high right now and there is zero chance of not getting your feet wet. The going is slow but the scenery makes up for it. 

Expect to down climb a handful of small to medium sized waterfalls. Take caution the rocks are very slippery and a fall here would not be good. It is advisable to do your best to navigate around them. I brought a rope and used it once, not because I had to though, toward the end we were exhausted and did not feel like backtracking to the other side of the creek to avoid a steep drop. Again I will emphasise the rope is not a necessity here but a good piece of gear to always have should the situation arise. About a third of the way down the drainage was my favorite waterfall, we stopped and had lunch here on a stone bench across from the falls and enjoyed the view. I swear this was the nicest spot yet I have stopped for a snack. I included a waypoint for this on the google map below and gave it the name West Fork Falls. 

West Fork Falls

Lunch Time 

After lunch we continued to pick our way down, the lower we got the more brush choked and harder  it become. This drainage is long and you feel every bit of it. This is not for the casual hiker, The steep hike up to PML coupled with an even longer down climb through this west fork is taxing and bashing your way through the lower jungle section out right sucks. Typing this as we speak my legs still hurt I feel like every muscle in my lower half got thoroughly worked. Was it worth the price of admission hell yes it was. Our total mileage for the day was a touch under 16 although it felt like twice that. We spent a good amount of time canvasing the PML vicinity so potentially one could shorten the route by skipping the run around up there. Unfortunately the black tubing we found indicated there was once a good sized pot operation taking place in this drainage. I want to say we arrived back at the car around 6pm. Along with the map I have also included a GPS track and a KMZ file for download. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD GPS TRACK

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE KMZ FILE FOR GOOGLE EARTH

Piedra Blanca From Rose Valley

Piedra Blanca Trailhead starting at the end of  Rose Valley Road in Ojai is one of the major corridors into the Sespe Wilderness. From here you can access multiple Trails including The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail(22W03), Sespe River Trail(20W13), and Middle Sespe Trail(22W04). All three of these Routes share the same Trailhead. This tends to be a very popular destination for Hikers who visit the Los Padres National Forest. Also just southwest a short distance On Rose Valley provides access to Rose Valley Falls and Lion Canyon. So as you can see there are plenty of great opportunities to explore the backcountry here.

Piedra Blanca Trailhead

This Trailhead is open all year (no overnight camping ) for that you would need to go to Middle Lion or Rose Valley Campgrounds. Adventure Pass is required to Park here. Parking is first come first serve. The Trailhead has toilets, informative signs and parking is plentiful.

Trail starts straight ahead at the end of the parking lot

Trailhead Facilities

For this spot I will spare you the turn by turn directions, it can be easily found on google. Here is a quick link to access the location. (Piedra Blanca trailhead from Rose Valley).

Originally called the Piedra Blanca Trail, the trail was granted the designation National Recreation Trail in 1977 and in 1992 was renamed the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail in recognition of the significant role Gene Marshall played in the development of the Los Padres Condor Range and River protection Act. The trail starts along Sespe Creek and Follows Piedra Blanca Creek to its headwaters on the backside of Pine Mountain eventually Terminating at Reyes Creek Campground near the Cuyama River, leading you through some Significant and historical Rock formations and into the high country where Pines and Cedars are abundant. The Reyes Ridge and surrounding high Country in my opinion affords the best scenery the Southern Los Padres has to offer. There are multiple trail camps along the route including Piedra Blanca, Twin forks, Pine Mountain Lodge, Three Mile, Haddock, Bear Trap, Upper Reyes, and Reyes Creek Campground. This area was once inhabited by the Chumash Indians and if you know where to look you can find evidence of their existence scattered about. Please treat these finds with respect should you stumble upon them.

Chumash Pictographs 

The Trail Takes off from the very eastern end of the parking lot. In .2 miles you will need to make a left between 2 rocks at an unmarked junction. Proceeding toward Middle Sespe Trail and Gene Marshal-Piedra Blanca.

Turn Left Here

Immediately after the junction you will have to cross the mighty Sespe River.(Although it was not to mighty as it was dry this time of year.) 

Dry Sespe River Crossing

After the river crossing follow the trail North on a gradual uphill grade through the chaparral zone for about .8 of a mile until reaching yet another junction. Here at this junction proceed right and on to the Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail.(A left would lead you onto Middle Sespe Trail). 

Follow the line of rocks to your right Here

In a little over 200 feet from this junction you will know your on the right path when Pass The Wooden Sespe Wilderness Sign. I like these older Wooden signs much better than the newer Plastic ones. Just seems more Authentic. 

Old Wooden Sespe Wilderness Sign

Immediately after passing the sign as your round the bend and proceed due north you get your first look at the main attraction to this area. The Piedra Blanca Rock Formations are a sight to behold. The trail takes you right through and over this magnificent collection Of rocks.

Here I spent about an hour off trail climbing the rocks and poking my head into all the little caves, cracks and crevices that I could find. I did not even begin to scratch the surface of checking out this whole area. I had it set in my head that I would make it up to Pine Mountain Lodge camp on this day so I couldn't spend near as much time as I would have liked here. I figure I will return and devote a whole day or two next time just in the Rock formations. 

 Shortly after leaving the rock formations in the distance the trail drops you into the Piedra Blanca Creek Drainage and follows the Creek on an easy uphill until reaching the Piedra Blanca Trail Camp at a little over 2 miles in.

Piedra Blanca Main Site #1

Piedra Blanca Main Site #2

Piedra Blanca Down stream Site

The camp is situated on a nice large flat area covered by massive oak trees. Water was available and flowing in the creek. I found the camp to be very nice and in good condition. My only complaint is that it was pretty much a full house. Being so close to the Trailhead makes Piedra Blanca Camp a very popular Backpacking spot, especially nice if your planning on bringing the youngsters for their first taste of backcountry fun. Watch out Poison oak was prevalent at the water's edge and surrounding areas of the camp.

Water at Piedra Blanca Camp

Given the large crowd I encountered, I eagerly high tailed it out of there and made swift time up to Twin Forks Camp.That's not saying much though as Twin Forks is less than a half mile away up the drainage from Piedra Blanca. Just like the Previous camp, Twin Forks and the trail beyond through the next few stream crossings had a good amount of poison oak.

Turn right here for Twin Forks Camp

Sitting Adjacent to the stream junction of The main fork Piedra Blanca Creek and North Fork Piedra Blanca Creek is Twin Forks Camp. When you reach the sign pictured above turn right and follow the spur trail across the creek. The Main site sits on a flat above the creek with nice sized fire pit. There is also another nice flat area above this under a big oak tree if more space is needed for tents. When I arrived I found nobody here compared to the busy Piedra Blanca Camp just downstream. 

Main site Twin Forks Camp

Another View of the main site

After leaving Twin Forks the trail follows the North Fork of Piedra blanca Creek up the canyon toward Pine Mountain Lodge Camp.This stretch is an ass kicker as you will gain around 2400 feet of elevation. The trail is exposed here and hot providing few spots with shade. This was my least favorite part, on the plus side though in about 3 grueling miles you will be at the top, out of the chaparral zone and into a beautiful setting of pines and Cedars. 

View North Toward Pine Mountain Lodge

Looking down into the North Fork Piedra Blanca Drainage you just climbed

You will notice as you get closer to the top the air starts to become cooler, with a fresh Pine scent. It is a nice motivator to keep on trekking. Once atop the ridge and on your left side before the trail sign and the Main Camp sites of PML is a wonderful clearing under thick pines. This would make a really nice spot to camp.

Nice clearing under pines just south of Pine mountain lodge

This sign marks the Main Sites Of Pine Mountain Lodge

To the left and right of the sign pictured above are what I believe to be some secondary overflow sites. The west side site is shaded under a nice tree canopy, while the eastern one sits more exposed. Water was available at the stream north of here next to the main camp off the Cedar Creek trail.

Old School Sign

Pine mountain Lodge Camp

 Old Relics 

 West Side Camp Site

exposed site adjacent to the one pictured above.

While most of the sites up here did not give as much shade as I would have preferred it is still a very pretty area with nice fire rings and would make for a great spot to stay while passing through. While up here I saw nobody, and enjoyed a nice peaceful lunch break before setting off back down the hill. Note to reach the Main site off Cedar creek trail near the stream, continue a short distance from the secondary sites once you reach the sign pictured below hang a hard right. ( It can be easy to miss if your not paying attention). 

Make a hard right here For the Site off Cedar Creek trail

For a bit of history Pine Mountain Lodge Got its name from a Cabin built in the late 1800's by the Sisquoc Rangers. Some time in the 1940's the cabin was accidentally destroyed by the United States Forest Service in an attempt remove some badly diseased trees. I found no evidence of the old Cabin. 

As mentioned earlier I did this as an out and back , so once finished at PML I returned to the car the same way I came in. My total Mileage for the day was 14.7 including all my on and off trail exploring that I did. 

Wheeler Gorge Visitors Center

Goodies I picked up at the Wheeler Gorge Visitors Center

On your way home if you have time and your headed south on Hwy 33 take a moment and visit the Wheeler Gorge Visitors center. Located directly adjacent to Wheeler Gorge Campground. They have some really nice displays and a little gift shop that helps supports our Local Forest. I dropped a few bucks in the donation bin and picked up the items pictured above. I have been wanting that Sespe Wilderness/Hike Los Padres glass for awhile. I tested it out with a cold beer as soon as I got home. As I always say I had another hell of fine day Lost In The Los Padres. 

Download GPS Track (GPS Units)

Download KMZ File (Google Earth)