Pine Mountain Lollipop

This is an ambitious route in the Sespe Wilderness of Los Padres National Forest. It starts and ends at Boulder Canyon Trailhead at Ozena Fire Station, taking a lollipop route up and over the Pine Mountain massif, following the Sespe River corridor, and making a loop through the Topatopa Mountains via Red Reef Trail, Nordhoff Ridge, and Lion Canyon Trail. These trails are well-developed for the most part, thanks to the hard work of Los Padres Forest Association. The trail does become hard to find at times at water crossings just after Haddock Camp as well as at some crossings of the Sespe. This is a moderately difficult route and just be attempted by experienced backpackers. At 73.3 miles, it can usually be completed anywhere between 4-7 days, depending on the preference of the backpacker. Be on the lookout along this whole route for poison oak and poodledog bush. 

From the trailhead at Ozena Fire Station (just off Highway 33), Boulder Canyon Trail is a steep, exposed climb up to join Reyes Peak Road. The route follows the dirt road for about two miles to Reyes Peak Trailhead. From here Reyes Peak is just under a mile, and our route continues on to follow the singletrack along the ridge to Haddock Mountain. Note that the weather up on this ridge can be much different than the weather down on Highway 33. There are excellent views in all directions from the mountain summits. We descend from Haddock Mountain to Haddock Camp. As of this writing (Fall of 2025), there is a brief, but tough patch of buckthorn to push through on this descent. From Haddock Camp, follow the trail (which can seem to disappear at creek crossings) to the edge of the massif, near Pine Mountain Lodge Camp where we begin a more sharp descent. The Piedra Blanca Trail drops from here, following the North Fork of Piedra Blanca Creek. There is a nice view of the Topatopa Mountains straight ahead along this descent. We join the Sespe River Trail around mile 23, which we follow as it winds along Sespe Canyon until the junction with Red Reef Trail. Red Reef climbs sharply out of the canyon of the Sespe, heading toward Hines Peak and Nordhoff Ridge. We briefly follow Nordhoff Ridge before taking the junction north on Lion Canyon Trail, which descends to Piedra Blanca Trail. We rejoin Piedra Blanca and take the long journey to return to Boulder Canyon Trailhead. 

It is extremely important to note that trail conditions in Los Padres vary drastically from season to season and year to year. Check hikelospadres.com for the most updated trail conditions and water reports, and please share your trip reports on the site upon your return so that everyone can safely explore this wonderful area. This area can be extremely dry and hot, as well as extremely wet and cold. Be prepared! Additionally, check https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lospadres for current information and important updates in Los Padres National Forest.