The Sespe Wilderness is a 219,700 acre federally-designated wilderness area in Southern California, located within the Los Padres National Forest. [1] It is roughly north of the city of Ojai, CA, and East of Santa Barbara, CA. The Sespe Wilderness Area was established in 1992 under the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act. [2]

Sespe Wilderness
LocationLos Padres National Forest
Coordinates34°35′08″N 119°01′19″W / 34.5855442°N 119.0220472°W / 34.5855442; -119.0220472

History

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Sespe Wilderness Area in the Los Padres National Forest. Sespe Creek Trail.

Topography

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Sespe Wilderness Topography 2
 
Sespe Wilderness Area in the Los Padres National Forest. View from the Sespe Creek Trail in April.

The Sespe Wilderness Area features a diverse landscape, through which winds the Sespe Creek—the last undammed river in Southern California. [3] Sandstone cliffs rise as high as 500 feet, and sandstone rock formations can be found throughout the area. [4] Elevation change is relatively minor, with trails winding up and down numerous hillsides. [5] Some of the most interesting features of the Sespe Wilderness Area are the numerous hot springs that can be found, such as Willett Hot Springs and the Sespe Hot Springs. [6]

Vegetation

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Sespe Wilderness Vegetation

The Sespe landscape consists mostly of grasslands, with groves of trees along the Sespe Creek. [7]

Wildlife

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Sespe Wilderness Wildlife

Human Use

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Sespe Wilderness Backpacking

Hiking

Backpacking and Camping

Horseback Riding

Hot Springs

Major Trails

Government

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Sespe Wilderness in the Los Padres National Forest

References

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