Piedra Blanca Trail an Ideal Trek for the Whole Family

Sparkling Piedra Blanca (White Rock) is the sort of place where Castaneda’s Don Juan might lurk. The sandstone formation extends for miles between the upper reaches of Sespe Creek and the mountains to the north. Handsome sedimentary rock formations of marine origin are found elsewhere in the Ojai and Santa Barbara backcountry but the most spectacular formation is Piedra Blanca.

This day hike takes you over chaparral-cloaked hillsides to mighty Piedra Blanca. The trail then follows Piedra Blanca Creek and climbs for some distance to Pine Mountain Lodge Camp.

Piedra Blanca Trail is suitable for a variety of hiking abilities. Families with small children will enjoy picnicking at Lion Campground, where the kids can splash in Sespe Creek--and later accompany their parents on the short walk to the rock formations. Hikers seeking a moderate journey can head for Piedra Blanca or Twin Forks trail camps. And the athletically inclined can sweat the 3,000-foot ascent to Pine Mountain Lodge Camp.

This can be a very hot trail. Bring and drink plenty of water.

Directions to trailhead: From U.S. 101 in Ventura, exit on Highway 33. Follow this highway 14 miles to Ojai and another 14 miles beyond Ojai. Turn right on signed Rose Valley Road and continue six miles to Lion Campground. Park in the special day-use lot near the campground. Water is available at the campground.

The hike: Leaving the day-use lot, cross the very low Sespe Creek and join the signed Piedra Blanca Trail. The trail cuts through chaparral and wastes no time heading for Piedra Blanca. These jumbo rocks are in your sight most of the way. Like clouds, the longer you gaze at the formations, the more they assume the shape of your imagination: dragons with missing teeth, white sand castles with spires and turrets, the Washington Monument . . .

Option: To Twin Forks Camp. From the rocks, the trail descends sharply to an unnamed tributary of Piedra Blanca Creek, finds the creek itself and follows it up the canyon. The trail dips in and out of the narrow oak woodland that lines the creek. You pass an attractive streamside trail camp named for the dominant sandstone, Piedra Blanca, and soon come to Twin Forks Trail Camp, named for its location near the north and middle forks of Piedra Blanca Creek. Both camps are nice picnic spots.

If you want to spend more time staring at the great white rocks, return to Piedra Blanca and the trailhead the way you came. Otherwise, continue up the creek.

Option: To Pine Mountain Lodge Camp. From Twin Forks, the trail twists along with the north fork of Piedra Blanca Creek. It ascends steeply for about two miles, then leaves the creek and climbs chaparral-and-pine-covered slopes toward the top of Pine Mountain. Pine Mountain Lodge Trail Camp, located at an elevation of 6,000 feet, is cool and green, a good place to take off your shoes and sit awhile.

Return the same way.

Piedra Blanca Trail

Lion Campground to Piedra Blanca: three miles round trip; 200-foot elevation gain.

Lion Campground to Twin Forks Camp: six miles round trip; 600-foot elevation gain.

Lion Campground to Pine Mountain Lodge Camp: 11 miles round trip; 3,000-foot elevation gain.