The Sespe Grand Loop: Part 1

At first I thought it was a bit of a shame that only one other backpacker wanted to join me on this trip.  It was the kind of warm, sunny spring weekend that a backpacker dreams all winter about, but everyone else seemed to opt for - (yawn) - yet another weekend in LA, with its mostly predictable amusements.  But we've hiked together many times before, and I knew he'd be a strong and fun hiking buddy, so we pushed on with our itinerary: an ambitious, seldom-traveled 26-mile loop in the southwest corner of the Sespe Wilderness. After enjoying outrageous coast and mountain views along the ridgetop of the Topa Topa Mountains, we drifted down into a canyon shaded by majestic oaks and spruces, where we found our delightful little camp in the long light of late afternoon.  That afternoon and the next morning, we kept scanning the ridge that loomed above our camp, which forms the western wall of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, but sadly the only birds that we saw drifting over were jumbo jets outbound from LAX. Still, we were hardly cheated, as the mountains and the river and the forest all offered us the kind of peace, quiet and comfort one rarely finds in and around the big city just over the hill.

Let’s leave the Sespe’s famed hot springs to the coeds on spring break and aim for higher quarry on this aggressive one-night backpack: the condor-haunted north face of the Topa Topa Mountains.

Sespe Creek is widely known as one of Southern California’s springtime wonders, with its wildflowers, hot springs, and swimming holes. Most backpackers approach it as a lazy, mostly flat out-and-back hike, but it is possible to combine some of its lesser-known trails to make an invigorating loop that samples both its canyon and mountain highlights: rushing creeks and panoramic coastal views. This loop will take us high into two of Sespe Creek's rarely-visited southerly tributaries. We’ll enjoy awesome ridgetop views spanning from Mt. Baldy to the Channel Islands while scanning the skies for condors.  (NOTE: this loop is different from the one we'll be exploring on a separate trip May 3-5).

This will be a strenuous backpack, covering over 25 miles in two days at an aggressive pace over challenging terrain, including over 3,000 vertical feet in elevation gain and loss, so this trip is suitable only for experienced backpackers in very good shape. We’ll cheerfully face the possibility of mud, bushwhacking, several shin- to thigh-deep stream crossings, ticks, black bears and juicy rattlesnakes.

Because of the strenuous nature of this trip, the leader reserves the right to qualify participants. Participants will be urged to contribute to their carpool driver's gas and mileage expenses (estimated at $20 per person). This is a consciously low-impact outing, so carpool participation is required.

Though a stone’s throw from L.A., the Sespe Wilderness is not to be trifled with. Extreme weather can make hiking along the river perilous. On January 20, 1969, for example, a group of eight boy scouts and two adult rescuers were swept to their deaths by a raging Sespe Creek. Therefore, 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 or re-route this trip at the sole discretion of the leader. This trip will be by individual commissary, and we’re not planning any shared meals, so please plan to provide your own three-day supply of food.