© 1996-2023 by Gary Valle' and Gary Gunder

Sespe Creek

Beaver Camp to Lion Campground

IMPORTANT NOTICE - WARNING!

Los Padres National Forest, north of Ojai, California

Beaver Camp (3309’)

Length: 6.2 miles   Average gradient: 47 fpm

Lion Campground (3014’).

Went up to do Upper NF Matilija or Upper Sespe. Upper NF was low so opted for Upper Sespe from Beaver Camp to Lion’s Camp. Beautiful scenery but thick alders, willows and cattails in several spots. Maybe one class IV rapid, some III and II. Fair amount of flat water. (On the same day, Charles Foster, Keith Beck and Rick Norman did the Sespe Gorge reach down to Beaver Camp.)

This run would probably only be enjoyed by paddlers with a masochistic bent. In several places fast moving water and alders combined to create a significant hazard. I don't plan to repeat it.

This reach is just upstream of the classic Sespe Creek Run from Lion Campground to Hwy. 126 near Fillmore.

Note: The gage at Sespe Gorge has been "discontinued" because of budget concerns.