Dough Flat/Red Reef

This route is a 58.3-mile lollipop beginning and ending from Dough Flat Trailhead in Los Padres National Forest. It combines a number of prominent trails in Los Padres NF and the Sespe Wilderness, including: Alder Creek Trail, Sespe River Trail, Red Reef Trail and Lion Canyon Trail. The trailhead is at the end of Kahus Flat Road, outside of the town of Fillmore.

From Dough Flat, the Alder Creek Trail heads directly north before veering northwest toward Cow Spring and the fascinating rock formations at Stone Corral. As of this writing (summer of 2025), Alder Creek Trail has been recently worked on thanks to hearty efforts from the folks at Los Padres Forest Association, and is in superb condition. After dropping into Alder Creek itself, the trail climbs to Sespe Saddle before making the descent to Sespe Creek. This section is known for the marvelous hot springs located north of our route and up Hot Springs Canyon. We continue on along Sespe Creek, making numerous crossings (where the trail can sometimes seem to disappear), before meeting the junction to Red Reef Canyon. The Red Reef Trail makes a hefty climb here toward Hines Peak, topping off near 6,000ft. Our route meets Nordhoff Road near mile 26, where there are excellent views in all directions, and then quickly joins Lion Canyon Trail to descend to the trailheads along Sespe Road. At the popular Piedra Blanca Trailhead, we rejoin the Sespe River Trail and make the long, but straightforward journey back to Dough Flat.

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. Poison oak is seemingly everywhere in Los Padres, including this route. 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.