Rose By Any Other Name Is a Waterfall

Some waterfall connoisseurs claim Rose Valley Falls is one of Southern California’s most beautiful waterfalls. The two-tiered cascade tumbles more than 300 feet into a cool grotto.

Half a dozen storms have soaked the Los Padres National Forest this rainy season already, and in Rose Valley, located about 10 miles as the condor flies north of Ojai, this abundance of precipitation has swelled two artificial lakes, surrounding creeks and the valley’s show-stopper, Rose Valley Falls.

Rose Valley is said to have been named for the wild roses growing in the nearby hills. Other historical accounts suggest the rose petal-like shape of the hills or the glorious pink hues of valley sunsets.

Whatever the explanation for its name, the bloom most definitely came off the Rose when the Navy began using the valley as the training site for its heavy equipment operators. Valley visitors of the 1960s encountered a wide, landing strip-style entry road, a complex of shacks and Quonset huts, land that looked like a battleground and a sign that read: Where the Seabees Practice ‘Can Do.’

This scene and sign led many a forest visitor to contemplate not only what the Seabees can do, but what they should do in Rose Valley, and along the beautiful upper Sespe Creek. These days the Seabees still practice moving earth, but do so a little more considerately.

Rose Valley is a jump-off spot for hikes into the Sespe Wilderness, a vast 220,000-acre tract boasting all the most striking features of Los Padres National Forest: pine- and fir-crowned mountains, a condor sanctuary, Chumash rock art sites, hot springs, shady campsites and miles of enticing pathways.

The signed path to Rose Valley Falls crosses Rose Creek a couple of times, then winds up the canyon’s shady north wall. Short connector trails lead left down to Rose Creek and its inviting ponds and cascades.

A quarter mile’s travel from the campground brings you to the base of the 100-foot lower fall. Skilled climbers can reach the upper falls, but the Forest Service and I discourage such scrambling. Many people have been hurt while attempting to reach the upper fall.

Directions to trail head: From California 33, 14 miles north of Ojai, turn east on signed Rose Valley Road and drive three miles to Rose Valley Campground. The signed trail to the waterfall begins near campsite No. 4.

Another trail to try is Topatopa. From Rose Valley Campground, a short drive up Rose Valley Road is Lion Campground, where three canyons converge--Piedra Blanca, Sespe and Lion. Compared to Piedra Blanca with its sparkling white rock formations and Sespe with its hot springs and namesake wilderness, Lion Canyon lacks a spectacular feature and resultant name recognition.

Still, the canyon is an enjoyable site for family day hikes and its two trail camps are popular with local youth groups. East Fork Lion Camp is located on a shady flat, downstream from a lovely series of cascades. West Fork Lion Camp is a creek-bank retreat shaded by big cone spruce.

Topatopa Trail leads two miles to a junction where you may choose to travel to either the East or West Fork camps or continue straight ahead to climb Topatopa Ridge.

Topatopa Trail (22W06) begins with a very mellow ascent up Lion Canyon. Two miles out, you’ll reach the four-way junction sometimes called, appropriately, Four Points Trail Junction. The left fork extends 0.3 miles to East Fork Lion Camp. Topatopa Trail continues straight toward Topatopa Ridge. The right fork leads 0.4 miles across a big cone spruce-spiked flat to West Fork Lion Camp.

Directions to trail head: From Ojai, follow California 33 north for 14 miles. Turn right onto Rose Valley Road and drive 5.5 miles to a junction above Lion Campground. Turn right on a short spur road and descend rather steeply to Middle Lion Camp.

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Rose Valley, Topatopa Trails

WHERE: Rose Valley, Ojai back country

DISTANCE: From Rose Valley Campground to falls is 1/2 mile round trip. From Middle Lion Camp to West Fork Camp is 4.6 miles round trip with 300-foot elevation gain; to East Fork Lion Camp is 4.8 miles round trip with 300-foot gain.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy-moderate

PRECAUTION: Muddy trails, difficult creek crossing at high water.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Ojai Ranger District , Los Padres National Forest, 1190 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023; tel. (805) 646-4348