Day One

Leave LA as early as you can cuz' traffic

• Last cheapish pit stop · Circle K - 11408 N Ventura Avenue in Ojai
• Nearest grocery store · Vons - 1125 Maricopa Highway in Ojai - It's still a 45-minute drive from the trailhead so stock up on food before you arrive.

Park at Piedra Blanca Trailhead and hike to Willett hot spring

• It's about a 10 mile one-way hike, with 1,261 feet of elevation gain, to Willett hot spring
• Download a trail map because there isn't any signage to Willett hot spring
• Power up on some snacks, layer on sunscreen, bug spray, and fill up your water bottles (at least 1.5 L). You'll be hiking along the river so there'll be plenty of chances to refill your water with a water filter.
• If you're running out of daylight, you'll also pass Oak Flat campground around mile 7, which is a fine spot to rest your head for the night.

Arrive and set up camp at Willett Camp

• Campsites are first-come, first-serve

Soak in Willett hot spring

• It's a smallish tub so plan on rotating if there are other groups on the trail or if you're hiking with more than four people

Relax and cook up dinner

• You did it! Enjoy your first night in Los Padres National Forest!

Car to camp: 10 miles - 1,261 feet of elevation gain - 5 to 6 hours

The name Sespe can be traced back to a Chumash Indian village, called Cepsey, Sek-pe or S'eqpe' ("Kneecap") in the Chumash language

Day Two

Make brekkie, pack up, and hike to Sespe hot spring

• It's about a 6 mile one-way hike, with about 250 feet of elevation gain, to Sespe hot spring
• You'll be walking along the river so there'll be opportunities to filter water

Enjoy lunch and a warm soak at Sespe hot spring

Set up camp at Sespe Hot Spring Camp

• Read, relax, watch the sunset
• Cook up your last dinner in Sespe Wilderness!

Camp to camp: ~6 miles - 250 feet of elevation gain - 3 hours

Sespe Wilderness is also home to the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. It's not open to the public, but it was established to protect one of the most endangered animals in the world. What's a major threat to condors? Microtrash (i.e. bottle caps, broken glass).

DAY THREE

Pack up and leave camp around 7 AM

• Cook up brekkie, pick up any random pieces of litter around camp and save some snacks for the return trek
• Layer on sunscreen, bug spray, and fill up your water bottles!

Hike 16 miles back to Piedra Blanca Trailhead

• Remember there'll be some creek crossings!

Drive to Little Sama in Ojai for lunch and beers at Topa Topa Brewery

• Little Sama is an asian fusion eatery tucked inside Topa Topa Brewery. Diners love their burgers, Okonomiyaki tater tots, and delicious beers.
• Located at 345 E Ojai Avenue, Suite 2 in Ojai
• Open Mondays to Fridays · Noon to 8 PM or 9 PM and Saturdays and Sundays · 11 AM to 8 PM or 9 PM

Head home!

Camp to car: 16 miles - 2,006 feet of elevation gain - 7 to 8 hours

California has the second largest number of wilderness areas in the country (Alaska has the most)