Cerro Noroeste Summit To Mesa Spring Trail Camp

View From atop the West Tumamait Trail in the Chumash Wilderness

Had a very busy yet productive day on Sunday. Hit the Summit of Cerro Noroeste, visited Campo Alto Campground, completed a trail and Campground Survey Of Mesa Springs and visited a historical site all in a days work. My morning started bright and early I drove to Campo Alto Campground in The Los Padres National Forest of the Mount Pinos Ranger District. 

Campo Alto Campground entrance

Andy Gumps were surprisingly clean

This Jeffrey Pine shaded Campground has 17 sites. Some are first come first serve others can be booked by reservation system on https://www.recreation.gov/ Restrooms are available as pictured above, No water is accessible here you must bring your own. Overnight stays are 20 dollars per night, sites are complete with picnic tables and fire pits.

Radio Tower Atop Cerro Noroeste

 Campo Alto Campground is situated basically atop the Summit of Cerro Noroeste or also know as Mount Abel. This is also one of the Sierra Clubs 100 peak section summits. Whenever I am in the neighborhood of these I make it point to visit and sign the Summit Register. I'm not sure why the Sierra Club keeps this one on the list as its only about a 200 yard hike along a dirt road to reach the summit and a rather large(not so exciting) radio tower sits at the destination. None the less though the surrounding area is beautiful and if you are up that way its worth a stop.

Road Leading to the Summit of Mt Abel

To reach the Summit Park near the Campground restrooms. The dirt road leading to the summit is pictured above and takes off right from Campground site #1. The actual Summit is a pile of rocks that will be on your right side a few hundred feet before reaching the Radio Tower. The register can is hidden on top. Please make sure to put the can back in its hiding place so Campers don't steal or vandalize it. Also keep in mind this area is subject to seasonal closures and the gate above Apache Saddle operated by Kern County Roads Department will most likely be locked upon first snow. 

Summit Rock Pile

Relaxing on the rock Summit signing the register

After visiting the Summit I was off to the real business of the day and my main objective for being here. I was invited by Mark Subbotin to learn how to complete Trail and Campground surveys for the Forest Service. This day would find us surveying Mesa Springs Trail and Trail Camp. 

Parking turn out pictured to the right additional parking available near the sign.

Access to Mesa Spring Trail(22w21) in this neck of the woods comes from first starting at the West Tumamait Trail(21w03). Which is conveniently located less than a mile down Cerro Noroeste Road from Campo Alto Campground. The Tumamait Trailhead sign is gone so look for the Mil Potrero sign pictured above. Directly across the road from the sign is the parking turn out. If Parking is full at the turn out pictured above you can also park along the road opposite the turn out next to the Mil Potrero Sign. N34° 49.711' W119° 12.117' (TrailHead Coordinates)

Enter the Chumash Wilderness

Begin by heading downhill along the Tumamait Trail. Very shortly after leaving the Trailhead you cross into The Chumash Wilderness. At around 8000 feet elevation the high country here is stunning. This time of year the air is crisp and cool. Dense Pine forests provide ample shade as you make your way down the Canyon. As I have said before in other posts The Reyes Ridge and The high country of the Chumash Wilderness just might be the best of the best that the Southern Los Padres has to offer.

Tumamait and Mesa Spring junction

At just over a half mile in you come to the junction with Mesa Spring Trail. Here you need to make a right and head south along Mesa Spring(22w21). If you are not paying attention you will blow right by it. The Downed tree you see in the photo above has smashed the Trailhead junction sign. Mark in the distance shows the route you will need to follow to reach Mesa Spring Camp. This whole trail is very well maintained and real easy to follow. Along the way we cleared a handful of downed tress. Only 4 larger ones we left but will return with a bigger 6 foot saw to take care of those soon.

Cattle Gate around 1.3 miles in

Nice Oak Canopy

As you make your way lower in elevation down the Canyon toward the San Emigdio Mesa the Landscape begins to change from Pines to Oaks, pinon's, and sage brush. The single track widens and starts to define the old OHV Jeep and Motorcycle track. At about 2.5 miles your southerly route turns sharply to the west along Apache Canyon. Here you start to get some very nice views of the Mesa and the badlands.

Right around 4.7 miles in you will come to a split in the route. Here is where I found the damaged trail marker sign lying on the floor. Still legible but barely. 

This Sign has seen better days

Either way you choose to take in the split here can lead you to Mesa Spring Camp (the split is a loop that connects below the camp around the steel trough). however to avoid any back tracking I recommend you head to your right, or North. From here it is only a quarter mile before reaching 1 of the 2 Mesa Springs Camp sites.

Northern Camp Site

The first site you arrive at or the Northern site as we will refer to it is complete with fire ring and cooking grate. There is a nice flat area for tents and is very close to the spring Cistern, however it has very little shade. I preferred the Southern or main site.

Spring Cistern

Treat water first before drinking.

Less than a hundred feet west of the Northern Camp site is the Spring Cistern pictured above. Water is piped in from the spring above on the Mountain side. We walked up the side of the hill to the spring and its fallen down cattle enclosure fencing. and found the entire ground area above to be saturated in water which was a good thing. Word of warning do not try and turn on the faucet at the spring barrel the pipes are completely eroded and leaking. We had to put a make shift band aid on the outgoing line to plug the leak. Sooner than later this barrel and its piping network unfortunately is gonna need to be replaced. That might make an awesome scout project if any leaders out there are reading this.

New Band aid on the pipe pictured to the left. Right is the ground from the spring enclosure

Main Campsite

From the Spring Barrel its about 400 feet Due South to reach the main Mesa Spring Campsite. Here you have a much nicer spot with shade and enough room for about 3-4 tents. The site has fire ring and cooking grate and even comes with a serviceable picnic table. I really enjoyed exploring this stretch of the forest here. If you want to visit the old steel Cattle trough its another 400 feet south of the main campsite. Basically follow the black tubing down.

Cattle Trough

Views from atop the canyon

Here is where we turned around and headed back to the Car. Returning back on the same route as we came in. My total for the day was around 10 miles. You can if you would like continue further on Mesa Springs trail as it eventually connects to Toad Springs OHV which can lead you south to Nettle Springs Camp. Special thanks to Mark Subbotin for the invite and the great teaching I now feel confident enough to get out and complete Trail and Campground surveys on my own for the Forest Service.

Download GPS Track (GPS Units)

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Potrero John Trail maintenance With The LPFA

Most likely if you are reading this you enjoy getting Outdoors and if you have ever thought about giving back to the forest that you love so much, the good news is there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for all skill levels to participate. This day and age it seems less and less of the federal and state budgets go toward maintaining our trails and our beloved Campgrounds. So it is extremely important for volunteers to get out and help keep these places accessible and well maintained. We are lucky to have a hand full of dedicated non profit groups who have made it their mission to maintain our wilderness areas. One such group that I fully have enjoyed working with is the Los Padres Forest Association. These are fun, hard working folks who care deeply about the health and welfare of the Los Padres National Forest. They have year round events happening all the time and most months have opportunities for anyone to get out and volunteer, from day hikes to extended backpack working vacations and much more. If you are interested in learning more you can check out their website here at http://lpforest.org/ If Volunteer work is not your thing maybe consider a small donation which goes into the trail fund and again is always very much needed. You can also follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LosPadresForestAssociation/. If you provide your email they will sign you up for an excellent monthly newsletter with all the up coming events and local forest news. If you email Bryan Conant at  bryan@lpforest.org or Jason Beckstrand at jasonnb@lpforest.org they will be happy to answer any questions, provide any information about on going projects and add you directly to the volunteer email list. This work is rewarding and surprisingly fun and is a great way to get outdoors and give back to the community. If you have not tried it, give it shot. Also As a perk often times volunteers get access to locations that the general public does not. Here is some info below on the recent work I got to be part of on the Potrero John Trail.

Our day got started Saturday morning just before 8am. Plan was too meet up in Ojai at the Ojai Ranger Station for sign ups, introductions and a quick run down of what the days events would hold. After the meeting we Carpooled to the Trailhead. I elected to drive myself this time as I had some stops to make after the event.

Trail takes off from here to your left

Pictured above Is the Potrero John Trailhead (23w06)  where we would begin our work. The Trail is located North Of Ojai off of Highway 33. Immediately past the Trailhead on the right hand side of the highway if your heading north is a small dirt parking turnout that can accommodate about 2 cars. If more parking is needed there is also another Large Turnout before reaching the Trailhead on the left side of the Highway. 

Jason Giving a briefing and tool use instructions

The Guys are ready to get Started

Potrero John Trail is an easy hike in the Sespe Wilderness along a stream channel in a beautiful narrow canyon with some amazing rock formations. At about 1.6 miles in sits the Potrero John Trail Camp. This trail is now very well maintained and easy to follow. There are multiple creek crossings and a couple lower camps before arriving at the Main Potrero John Campsite. 

Second lower Camp we passed

Water available for Filtering if needed

Third lower Camp with no shade

Our crew brushed the trail until reaching the lower site pictured above. We did not quite make it all the way to the Potrero John Trail Camp. As by this time it was already 2pm and the day was a hot one. Water was available at the streams crossings above these Camps. 

Don and Jason wasting no time getting after it

As I mentioned above the scenery in this canyon is very nice. The morning provided an excellent amount of shade. Oaks, Alders, and  cottonwoods were abundant along the trail. I believe I spotted some Big Cone Douglas firs high above on the steep Canyon walls as well. 

Nice Rock Formation

For the more adventurous you can also explore the network of spurs trails above Potrero John Camp that lead to the Falls. (some boulder hopping may be required). If you have not hiked this trail yet get out there and do so while the getting is good. I had a great time on this project and met some great people. Definitely looking  forward to future events. If you are considering giving trail work a try but are on the fence because you may not have previous experience don't worry at all. The project leaders give great instructions and assign tasks per skill level. You will gain experience as you go learning to use different tools. You get a great sense of pride at the end of the day walking back to the car and seeing the work you just completed. 

Some Basic Trail maintenance tools

Obligatory selfie even got Jason in the shot

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)

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