Potrero John Falls in Sespe Wilderness

Depending how far you care to wander, the Potrero John Trail, located just off the scenic State Route 33 out of Ojai, is either a gentle stroll, easy enough for the youngest of backpackers, or a tricky, tangled creek traverse that may involve a few scrapes and scratches. Those willing to brave a few brushy stretches, however, will be rewarded with a series of cascading falls.

The hike begins at a marked trailhead to the side of the highway, just northwest of the dramatic Black Wall or Sespe Gorge, an imposing cliff face popular with rock climbers. Within a few hundred feet of the trailhead, the trail crosses a pile of crumbled boulders before dipping down across the creek. Hikers should be prepared for numerous creek crossings and could do well with waterproof shoes, though the creek is modest enough that soaked feet are never a real concern.

After snaking alongside the creek amid a garden of colorful chaparral beneath pine-peppered sandstone walls, the easy trail reaches Potrero John Camp, 1.6 miles from the trailhead. The creek-side settlement, set beneath a few large oaks, would make for an excellent first-time backpacking trip, spacious enough for two to three tents. For some, the trip ends here.