First Report: Thorn Point Trail, Ventura County

Black oak were at all stages of change in Ventura County’s Los Padres National Forest this past weekend, where Naresh Satyan captured these images.

He found a stand of black oaks along the Thorn Point trail at 5000′-5500′ in the Sespe Wilderness on Saturday.  The stand is patchy and Naresh was unsure whether they’d change at once or in waves.

He recommends the 3.46 mi. hike to the Thorn Point fire lookout when it is not hot, as it gains 2,632 ft in elevation. There’s a good dirt road to drive to the trailhead, though it has a couple of spots where high clearance helps (one in his party made it in a Prius). They found lots of bear scat and, of course, it’s rattlesnake country.

The Thorn Point trail is 20 mi. southwest of Frazier Park, 90 mi north of Los Angeles.

The U.S. Forest Service describes Los Padres National Forest as “one of the most botanically diverse National Forests in the United States.” The Sespe Wilderness includes the Sespe Condor Sanctuary within its boundary.

CLICK HERE for more about the trail.

Thorn Point Trail, Ventura County – Patchy (10-50%)

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