The Ghost Grizzlies of Alder Creek

It's cheating, isn't it?  Eighty degree weather in December, while the rest of the country shivers under horrendous cold and snow?  Just another day in beautiful Southern California, and we made the most of it, exploring a little-known canyon in the Sespe backcountry that shelters a secret wonder: a mysterious cave full of some bizarrely beautiful native American art.  Fall colors were still at their glory in the canyons, and after a day tackling some challenging route-finding and bushwhacking, we savored a pleasant campfire with friends and soon were off to sleep under a starry sky.

In the autumn of 1905, deep in the seldom-visited gorge where Alder Creek joins Sespe Creek, a party of hunters stumbled upon fresh 8-inch-wide bear tracks in the creekside mud - probably the last sign of a native grizzly bear ever seen in Ventura County. Sadly, the native grizzly has been extinct in Southern California since the mid-1910s, but the place where it made its last stand remains a special place in the wilderness. The only bears there today are the shy, much smaller, virtually harmless black bears. But this area was also an important sanctuary for the native Chumash, who decorated the walls of a sandstone cave here with awe-inspiring psychedelic rock art. The Forest Service once maintained an official campground here but abandoned it in the mid-1970s in order to protect the delicate archaeology. The campground and caves remain intact, however, for those enterprising enough, respectful enough, and fit enough to find them.

This will be a strenuous backpack, covering 17 miles in two days at a purposeful pace over challenging terrain, so this trip is suitable only for experienced backpackers in very good shape. We’ll cheerfully face the possibility of challenging route-finding, bushwhacking, several shin-deep stream crossings, a lethargic late-season rattlesnake or two, and abundant poison oak and stinging nettles. Signup preference will be given to GayOutdoors “Full Members”. Per-person cost of $75 (carpool gas & mileage) must be pre-paid and will be refunded only if the leader cancels or if a replacement signup is found. This is a consciously low-impact outing, so carpool participation is required. The cap of five signups may be lifted if an additional 4WD vehicle becomes available.

This trip is strictly dependent upon a favorable weather forecast. A National Weather Service forecast of rain within 72 hours of our start will cancel this trip, as will fewer than four confirmed signups as of 8:00pm, Tuesday, December 7. This trip will be by individual commissary, and we’re not planning any potluck meals, so please provide your own two-day supply of food.