Day 781: Matilija Hot Springs

Matilija Hot Springs

Day #781 * Hike #982 New Track #768
Saturday January 5, 2013
Matilija Hotsprings - Ojai, California
My Tripometer: 1 Hour * 1 Mile * +25 Feet

 Park on the side of the road

Directions:
Follow the driving instructions from Day 523-524: Camping on the Matilija Trail.  After you turn off the 33, drive a couple of miles up Matilija past the damn and then park on the side of the road before the road narrows to one lane at the stop sign in the distance, as shown in the picture above.

 Trailhead

There is a tucked away Private Property sign to discourage visitors, but no one appears to notice.  The hike is an easy climb down and within a moment, you are at the springs...

 Ayden noticed that the old guys down there had no pants on

There were many pools to jump into and I felt awkward with the camera because the old men were soaking in their birthday suits.  Instead of jumping right in, we bypassed the springs and hiked this way...

 We tramped over the rocks...

 Sammi found fresh cold water

 This cold water pool is deep!

We explored for awhile and then came back.  You can literally hike all day up and down the fresh water creek.  Back to the sulfur ridden haven of the hot springs...

Peaking in from the outskirts

 

Ayden soaking in his private tub

 

Another family showed up.  Them too I believe was discouraged by the exhibitionists.  Moreover, the father couldn't take the fumes from the sulfur.  It was strong but not enough to warrant an early departure for.  We remained there till sundown and then snuck away before the crazies came out. 

 

Overall, I prefer the long hike to the Sespe Hot Springs over this spot.  I've been to Sespe twice, but zero times since starting this blog.  I owe the world to share what may be my best hike yet to come...