Hiking Trail Guide: Tar and Sespe Creeks

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Tar and Sespe Creeks

Distance
10 miles

Elevation
1800 feet gain

Difficulty
6/10

City
Fillmore ,CA (93015) 48.12 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From the town of Fillmore in Ventura County, take A Street on mile north to Goodenough Road. Turn right and continue 2.7 miles to Squaw Flat Road on the right (its marked as the Dough Flat Turnoff. Turn right and drive 4.8 miles up the winding mostly dirt mountain road to the unsigned parking pullout on the left. It's located 1.5 miles beyond the Oak Flat Guard Station. From the pullout, take the wide path to the northwest through the metal gate.

Description

This great hike takes you deep into the remote Las Padres National Forest. Although the trail traverses mostly scrub brush, the mountain vistas are quite spectacular. For those who want a shorter hike, simply stop and explore the lovely seasonal Tar Creek, before turning back.

For those with more energy, continue on to our hike's destination, the Sespe Creek. This is a wonderful setting, with sandy beaches, house size boulders, cascades, jumping fish, and everything else you could wish for in a stream side setting. Some users have reported that access to the area beyond Tar Creek is restricted as it is part of the Condor Sanctuary, although I did not observe any signs to that effect on my hike.

Map / Directions: