Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca
Trailhead Piedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai Drive there
Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca (Reyes Creek TH) the Forest Service's write-up
reservation required
Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca Reyes Creek Trail (22W03)
Difficulty: moderate to difficult
Length: 17.9 miles
SESPE WILDERNESS - More information on the Sespe Wilderness
National Recreation Trail System - More information on the NRT system
Maps: Tom Harrison - Sespe Wilderness Map or 7.5 minute USGS topographic maps (Reyes Peak)
Start from the Reyes Creek Trailhead (elev. 4000 ft., with paved parking, vault toilet and small pipe corral) at the end of Forest Service Rd. 7N11 (Camp Scheideck Rd.). The trail ascends an unnamed drainage for 2.5 miles through oak and chaparral until reaching a saddle and then descending 0.5 miles towards Reyes Creek and Upper Reyes camp (elev. 4675 ft.). This camp has 2 stoves, one on either side of the year-round creek.
The trail continues southeast, ascending a ridge for 1.5 miles before descending towards Beartrap Creek and Beartrap camp (elev. 5100 ft.) in 0.3 miles. Beartrap camp has 5 stoves amidst cedars, alders and conifers; water is year-round.
The trail continues 2.8 miles southeast, following the creek until climbing to a saddle (elev. 6200 ft.) and then gradually descending along the headwaters of Piedra Blanca Creek to Haddock camp (elev. 6100 ft.) in 0.7 miles. This camp, set among conifers, has 4 stoves; water is generally reliable during early summer.
The Reyes Peak Trail 23W04 heads west from just upstream of Haddock camp ascending Reyes Peak until reaching Reyes Peak Trailhead (elev. 6980 ft.) in 5.8 miles. Continue southeast from Haddock camp approximately 2 miles, finally descend into Three Mile camp (elev. 5900 ft.). This camp has 3 stoves; water is generally reliable during early summer.
The trail leaves the main drainage in about .3 miles then undulates in and out of tributaries canyons for another 1.5 miles until it reaches Pine Mountain Lodge camp (elev. 6000 ft.). Pine Mountain Lodge camp has 3 fire rings water is generally reliable during the early summer but a small upstream spring can generally be relied on year-round.
The Cedar Creek Trail (21W10) heads east from Pine Mountain Lodge camp and climbs 1.3 miles to a saddle (elev. 5960 ft.) before dropping into the Piru Creek headwaters towards either Fishbowls or Cedar Creek Trailheads.
From Pine Mountain Lodge camp the trail begins a rapid descent, leaving behind the conifers and transitioning to oaks and chaparral. After 3.3 miles the trail reaches Twin Forks camp (elev. 3620 ft.), just upstream of Piedra Blanca’s north and main forks. This camp has one stove and water is reliable. Continue downstream only 0.25 miles and Piedra Blanca camp is reached (elev. 3550 ft.). This camp has 3 stoves and water is reliable.
From Piedra Blanca camp follow the trail south passing through the rock formation for which this trail is trail is named until reaching the Middle Sespe Trail (22W04) junction (elev. 3100 ft.). Head southeast for 0.4 miles until reaching another trail junction then turn southwest, crossing Sespe Creek to the Piedra Blanca Trailhead (elev. 3040 ft., with paved parking, vault toilets, and one pipe corral in 0.4 miles.
Restrictions Contact the ranger station for current fire restrictions: (661) 245-3731 ext. 0
Piedra Blanca Trailhead (Rose Valley Area) Ojai the Forest Service's write-up
A valid recreation pass is required on each parked vehicle at the trailhead. This can be an Adventure Pass for $5 per day or $30 annually, an Annual Interagency Pass, Senior Interagency Pass, or Interagency Access Pass. Adventure Passes are sold at all Southern CA Big 5 Sporting Goods stores or at the Ojai Ranger Station, Thurs - Saturday from 9:00am - 2:00pm. They are also sold at the Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00am - 3:00pm. · reservation required
Piedra Blanca Trailhead is a major paved trailhead facility on the Ojai Ranger District. It is at the end of the Sespe River Road, also known as Rose Valley Road. The trailhead is open all year.
This trailhead serves three popular trails:
Sespe River Trail (20W13) goes east from the trailhead and is a popular access point for two hot springs. It is also a key access trail for the Sespe Wilderness;
Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) goes north from the trailhead and climbs the major mountain range to the north called Pine Mountain; and
Middle Sespe Trail (22W04) goes westerly from the trailhead and terminates at Highway 33 north of the Rose Valley junction.
All three of these routes share the first 0.4 miles in common before the first trail junction.
An Adventure Pass is required to park at the Piedra Blanca Trailhead.
There are 55 parking spaces, 4 picnic sites and horse corrals with water troughs (bring own water)
Restrictions No overnight camping in trailhead area. Camping is only allowed in nearby Middle Lion or Rose Valley Campgrounds (both campgrounds are concession-managed for the Forest Service by the Parks Management Company). Reservations on weekends are recommended through <a href="https://www.recreation.gov">www.recreation.gov</a>. There are few first-come, first-serve sites at each campground. $20/night. There is also camping at Wheeler Gorge Campground.