Agua Blanca Creek

Hi everyone.  I hope you enjoy(ed) your long Memorial
Day weekend.

So how do make a rough trail rougher?  Easy get rid of
the trail!  It turns out mother nature hatched this
particular plan on several of the major trails north
of lake Piru.

Java and I set out to hike the Pothole trail - We'll
after searching for it for a long time, and noticing
that the ravine were the trail head was supposed to be
was under eight feet of dirt and rock, with no trail
head markers to be found anywhere, we abandoned our
search - It was a preview of things to come. 

After eliminating plan A, we immediately turned to
Plan B - Aguas Blanca Trail.  The trail was formerly
located adjacent to the Aguas Blanca Creek, which even
now, late in the year was flowing fast with knee high
water at  35 ft. across.

The creek bed, along its entire length was lined by an
untold number of rocks, pebbles, and boulders, with
areas in between filled by fine sand.  The trail start
just past a Bluepoint Camp; an area closed for
recreational use, due to its protected status, as the
breeding grounds for the Arroyo Toad, an Endangered
species.  The creak meanders initially through a vast
meadow, and then through narrow slots formed by
canyons walls 500 - 700 Ft. high.

The creek's water is super transparent, with a green
hue from the abundant moss clinging to the creek
bottom.  The water temperature was refreshing, but
thankfully not cold.  I read that the Piru creek and
its tributaries are the only river system in LA county
that is under review for consideration as a protected
wild land preserve - It's easy to see why.  Although
only slightly more than an hour drive from LA this
area is mostly untouched and holds a fantastic beauty.


The most impressive and immersive section of the hike
was wading through Devil's Gateway, a small slot
canyon near where the Agua Blanca creek meets the now
completely eroded end of the Pothole trail; my
original destination.

Trip Summary -   2 days, and one night in the mist
shrouded Sespe Wilderness inside the Los Padres
National Forest.   Total Ascent: 3600 Ft. Total
distance hiked:  27 miles.

Post Hike Dinner:  Round Table Pizza  <-- Life is definitely Good! Enjoy it.