Sespe Success Story

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The Sespe Wilderness covers a huge area (291,700-acres) in the eastern Topatopa Mountains and southern Sierra Pelona within Los Padres National Forest in Southern California’s Ventura County.

The terrain is mostly chapparal with oak woodland and riparian habitats along Sespe Creek. Predominant fall color plants include landmark Frémont cottonwood, rubber rabbitbrush, willow and other shrubs.

Most importantly, the Sespe Wilderness, established by President George Bush in 1992, expanded wilderness areas needed to protect the California Condor which in 1987 had become extinct in the wild.

Since then, through extensive preservation efforts and the establishment of protective areas like the Sespe Wilderness, California’s condor population has risen to 100 and now numbers 446 worldwide, including 276 in the wild.

In 2015, more condors were born in the wild than died, evidence that the condors are recovering from the threat of extinction, though the specie is still listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Though the condors are on the wing back to recovery, color spotter Lance Pifer didn’t mention seeing any during his weekend hike along Piedras Blanca Trail into the Sespe Wilderness.

He did, however, return with photographs of Near Peak cottonwood and brush along Sespe Creek. The trail is a moderately hiked 2.3 out and back trail, rated as good for all levels. Dogs on leash are permitted. 

• Piedras Blanca Trail, Sespe Wilderness (6,000′) – Near Peak (50-75%) GO NOW!