Facility · California ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Los Padres National Forest (NF) · Open Access
Open in Spring/Summer/Fall and is within the Winter seasonal closure between December 1st and April 30th
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Length: 14 mile loop trail for backpacking or shorter day hikes
SESPE WILDERNESS - More information on the Sespe Wilderness: www.wilderness.net
Maps: Tom Harrison Sespe Wilderness Map
Bring water!
This is a loop trail in the Sespe Wilderness. Two trailheads exist for this loop. The first trailhead is located right off the Grade Valley Road (FS 7N03) approximately five miles south of Lockwood Valley Road.
The second trailhead is located approximately seven miles south of Lockwood Valley Road along the Thorn Meadows Road (FS 7N03C). A beautiful trail located in the Sespe Wilderness, the trailhead is located on Thorn Medow Road (7N03B) a short side road off Mutah OHV Road (7N03.2). The Cedar Creek Trail connects Thorn Medow Road (7N03B) and the GeneMarshall-Piedra Blanca Trail (22W03). This trail has numerous stands of Incense Cedar trees along the upper portion. Numerous large Sugar Pine and Jeffery Pines also grow along the canyon, especially at Cedar Creek Trail Camp. The Cedar Creek Trail 21W10 climbs the canyon before descending to Fishbowls Camp at the north fork of Piru Creek, the trail then completes at Pine Mountain Lodge Camp.
Lockwood Valley Road to Grade Valley Road (FS 7N03). The trailhead is located about 7 miles south of Lockwood Valley Road along the Thorn Meadows Road (FS 7N03C). Their is a trail camp that is located approximately 2 miles west on Cedar Creek Trail from Thorn Meadows Road or 12 miles from Grade Valley Road via Fishbowls Trail. There are 3 campsites (first-come, first-serve).
34.63455, -119.11295 · 34°38'4.4"N 119°6'46.6"W
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Low °F | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Precip in | 3.2 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 2.3 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
Comments