Ten backpackers had an enjoyable 3-day backpack trip in the Sespe Wild & Scenic River Area in the Las Padres National Forest on May 20-22. The 10 who participated were: Arlene Altshuler, Phil Ankrom, Caroline Carroll, Caroline's son Nick and daughter Emily and two of their friends, Bill Cespedes, Gary Cremeans, and John Sabol. We met Friday morning and headed up the 118 to the 101 and then off on the 33 to Ojai where we stopped at the Ojai Ranger Station to sign for our fire permit.

After a winding drive up Route 33 to Rose Valley, we parked just before a locked gate near the Middle Lion Campground turnoff (Lion’s Camp is closed to camping). We then took the new trail down into Lion's Camp. Two thirds of the way down the trail, there is a new, two unit restroom building and a picnic table.

Lion's Camp has changed since we were there 2 years ago. All of the campground restrooms, barbecue pits and campsites are gone. Everything has been removed. Also plastic fencing has been put up along the trail in some areas to keep people on the trail.

We made several stream crossings after Lion’s Camp and river sandals were needed on some of them. After the stream crossings, we headed out for a 3.5-mile pack into camp. The morning was clear and warm as we made our way towards our Bear Creek Campground. Everything was green and wildflowers were everywhere.

There were just a few other campers in Bear Creek Campground when we arrived so there was plenty of room for campsites. Everyone pitched tents and set up camp. We then filtered water, swam in the Sespe and just sat around enjoying the scenery until it was time to go to sleep..

Unfortunately not everyone slept well. There were two or three bullfrogs who kept up a chorus all night. These are North American Bullfrogs. In the past, they were only found east of the Rocky Mountains but were introduced into California. This was my first time hearing one bellow (not croak but bellow). I thought someone had released an alligator into the Sespe. It is unbelievable that a creature 8 inches in diameter can make that much noise. Mosquitoes and sand fleas were also a problem.

Saturday morning, everyone was up early and had the stoves heating water for cereal and coffee. The morning was warming up fast and after breakfast 8 of us packed our gear for a 12-mile round trip hike downstream to Willett Hot Springs. We only had to make 3 stream crossings to get there, thanks to a trail crew who had done an outstanding job cutting a new trail on the south side of the Sespe. This new section eliminated two river crossings which involved a lot of boulder hopping and crossings that were a little dicey. Again wildflowers were in profusion. We also saw Horned Toads (which are actually Spiny Lizards) and numerous, fence and alligator lizards. There was some Poison Oak but it was easily avoided.

After visiting the hot spring, we ate lunch and headed back to camp. Unfortunately on the way back the temperature continued to rise. It was a rough trip back in the extreme heat. Most cooled off at the river crossings and we drank a lot of water.

Back in camp, after a long day of hiking we rejoined the rest of the group. They had spent part of the day swimming, reading and napping. Again we ate and enjoyed talking.

Sunday morning, we ate, took down tents, packed gear and prepared to leave. We left in groups of 2 and 3 and made our way up the trail and out of the canyon. Again the weather was very hot. We reached the cars and headed back to Ojai. Everyone had a great time. You should have been with us!!!