Jessie's Trails

Heart Rock Falls (Seeley Creek Falls)

2011-09-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

Date/Time:
September 27, 2011
10am - 3pm

Nearby City:
Crestline, CA

Driving Directions:

Taking the 210 East Exit for the CA-18/ Waterman Ave. then in 0.2 miles make a left onto CA-18 N/N Waterman Ave. and continue to follow CA-18 North for 11.3 miles. Merge onto the CA-138 West via the ramp to Regional Park/ Crestline. In a mile make a right on to CA-138 and then take the 3rd left onto CA-138 West. In 1 miles turn right to stay on CA- 138 West. Just north of the town they'll be a well signed entrance on the left for camp Seeley. Take this entrance and just before the private car park for Camp Seeley, veer left onto a narrow road going past a concrete ford over Seeley Creek. Once you are past the ford keep an eye out for and open area on your right near a sewage pipeline cover.

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Difficulty:
Easy- Difficult

Why?

The trail itself is very easy to follow with out the worry of wondering off on the wrong trail or the trail just disappearing all together. The falls are hard to find along the trail and can easily be passed. We happened to stumble upon the falls by mistake; we followed a small trail leading to a ledge and when we looked down there it was, Heart Rock Falls! The difficult part refers to finding the falls off the main trail and if you want to see the falls or get to the heart you will have to do some climbing, getting more and more difficult as you get closer to the heart.

Waterfall Height:
25ft.

Elevation Gain/Loss:
200ft Gain

Seasons:
This waterfall can be viewed all year but for the most water visit the falls after a good rain storm.

Entrance Fee:
An Adventure pass is needed to park; you can buy one online or buy it at a location near you.

Cell Service:
T-Mobile -
AT&T -

Trails:
Heart Rock Falls Trail: 2 miles round trip

Trails Conditions:
The trail is in great condition. There are a lot of fallen trees but they are quickly pushed aside my forest rangers to keep the trail clear.

Trail Directions:

Starting at the parking area follow the trail leading along the creek, and just on the other side is Camp Seeley. Make sure you don't follow the dirt road continuing past where you parked. Soon you will pass right by a pool for the camp. The trail is well marked and maintained so there's no way to get lost or accidentally follow the wrong trail. If there's no one around and this is your first time at the falls, it's pretty easy to miss the spur "trail" to the rocky ledge overlooking both the heart-shaped depression and the Seeley Creek Falls. The only hint that there's something down there is by the loudness of the rushing waters of Seeley Creek itself. If you keep going on the trail you'll end up skipping the falls and joining with some road. I tied two blue ribbons onto tree branches at the turn off but who knows if they will still be there when you go. Once you have found the look out point follow the trail on your left leading down to the base of the falls (easy rout) for more views on the area climb down next to the tree to your right. This will take you to a small pool with a very small waterfall type formation. Continue to follow it all the way around the towering rock formations on your left to the top of the waterfall. Once at the top of the fall you will see a small trail leading behind where the heart rock is, you can follow this down to the base of the falls or around to the heart itself.

For extra adventure:
After you have looked around and played in the water follow the stream down until you see 3 different levels of pools, each feeding into the lower until it reached the largest pool with rainbow trout.

Other Activities:
Hiking

Links:
San Bernardino National Forest/Arrowhead Ranger Station
Adventure Pass

Jessie's Thoughts:
I recommend this hike for everyone no matter how inexperienced or advanced you are. No one seems to go here for the falls, just the heart shapped rock. Whatever you reason for coming you will be glad you did!

Maps:

View Jessie's Trails in a larger map

Photos:

Videos:

Heart Rock Falls

View of heart rock from ledge

Down stream from heart rock falls

Ortega Falls

2011-09-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Date/Time:
September 26, 2011
4:30pm- 5:00pm

Nearby City:
Lake Elsinore, CA

Driving Directions:

Heading South on the 5 Freeways take the exit for the CA-74/ Ortega Hwy toward San Juan Capistrano. Turn left onto CA-74 E/Ortega Hwy and follow it for about 20 miles. Near the end of that 20 miles the road will make a tight "S" shape and then you will see a dirt patch to turn off and park. If you park on the oposite side of the road from the trail head be careful when crossing the street. To see the exact spot to park on a map follow the link 'Jessie's Trails' below the google map on the right side of the page.

Hours:
Sunrise - sunset

Difficulty:
Easy

Why?
Well marked trail but there is some climbing over large rocks.

Elevation Gain/Loss:
300ft loss

Entrance Fee:
An adventure pass is needed, they can be bought online or you can find a location near you.

Cell Service:
T-Mobil - I got service all along the height and at the falls.
AT&T- Service all along the trail and at the falls

Trails:
Ortega Falls Trail- 0.5 miles round trip

Trails Condition:
Easy to follow but it does involve some scrambling over large boulders.

Trail Directions:

From the dirt car park off Ortega Highway we took the second trail in from the right. There are multiple trails leading down into the canyon and this proved to be a little confusing, but as you walk down the trail you will see they all seem to merge into one. Once you have picked a trail to follow, continue to follow it straight to the falls. We had to climb over huge boulders further back in the canyon to get to the falls but they are all dried up. I have read these falls can only be viewed after a good rain storm if you want to see any water flowing so keep an eye out for my update post on Ortega Falls.

Other Activities:
Hiking

Links:
Facebook
Youtube
Etsy
Cleveland National Forest
Adventure Pass

Jessie's Thoughts:

It wasn't so much hiking as a short walk down hill and once we finally found where the fall was supposed to be, it was dried up. The canyon itself is very beautiful if you can look past all the trash and graffiti everywhere. But because this is such a short walk and so close to a major highway it is a party spot for every teen in a 30 miles radios.

Photos:

Tenaja Falls

2011-09-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Date/ Time:
September 26, 2011
12:00- 3:00pm

Nearby City:
Murrieta, CA

Driving Directions:

Take the 91 East and merge onto the 15 South toward San Diego. Take the 15 South for 28 miles passing Lake Elsinore on the right side. Exit at Clinton Keith Rd and in 0.3 miles take a right onto Clinton Keith Rd When you are driving up Clinton Keith Road you will pass a dirt car park on your right and the Santa Rosa Plateau Visitor Center to your left !!!!BE CAREFUL! DO NOT SPEED THIS IS WHERE WE ALMOST DIED AND DID GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!!! There has been a lot of deaths at this part of the road! Take that for 5.1 miles and make a slight right onto Tenaja Rd. In 1.7 miles turn right to stay on Tenaja Rd and go for 0.7 miles and make a right to stay on Tenaja Rd. Follow Tenaja Rd for 3.5 miles and turn right onto Cleveland Forest Rd. A few hundred yards of paved road leads to a forest service trailhead parking lot with bathrooms and a water pump. This is not the parking lot! You can park here are turn the 1.4 miles into a 6 mile hike. Continue for 6 more miles to the Tenaja Falls parking area on your left. An adventure pass is needed to park. (see links below)

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Difficulty:
Easy/ Advanced

Why?
The trail itself is a very short and easy hike uphill all the way to the falls; but once you get there you will see right away that if you want to climb around or down to the bottom of the falls it can get increasingly harder as you descend into the canyon

Waterfall Height:
150ft

Elevation Gain/Loss:
300ft gain

Seasons:
December - June

Why?
you are able to view to falls at anytime of year but to see it flowing you will need to plan a hike after a good rain storm.

Entrance Fee:
An adventure pass is needed, they can be bought online or you can find a location near you or the trail.

Cell Service:
T-Mobil - unable to get service anywhere along the trail or back at the parking area.
AT&T- Unable to get service anywhere along the trail or back at the parking area.

Trails:
Tenaja Falls Trail - 1.4 miles round trip

Trail Condition:
The trail is in great condition you just have to pay attention to what trail you are following. There are many different trails leading off the main trail and can get a little confusing.

Trails Directions:

Starting at the easy to miss car park follow the trail just to the right of a sign saying no margaritas allowed on the trail. In a few feet you will pass a small wooden box to your left; look inside! Fill out the info asked on the paper and place it back in the box please. Follow the trail for a little bit passing other trails leading off somewhere else; make sure to pay attention its easy to take the wrong trail. Shortly after passing a small metal gate you will get to what seems like a fork in the trail. If you go to the right you will run into some large rocks and no trace of a trail (you went to wrong way) if you go to the left you will see a flooded ford, you can cross through the somewhat deep water or go around on the rocks to the left. After this the trial is very easy to follow and heads up hill all the way to the falls. Once at the falls take a look directly across to the mountain on the other side of the waterfall you will see a giant red rock that looks like a turtle on the ledge. There is a trail that takes you directly to Turtle Rock if you just continue to follow the trail past the falls. (side note): I rode the turtle, see pictures below!

Other Activities:
Hiking
Trail running
Equestrian
Dogs Allowed on leash
No Bicycles or motorized vehicles

Links:
Facebook
Youtube
Etsy
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest - Trabuco District (Map)
Adventure Pass
Tenaha Falls Topo Map

Jessie's Thoughts:

After almost dieing on the drive up, finally getting to the falls was a nice treat or a very long morning. When you are driving up Clinton Keith Road you will pass a dirt car park on your right and the Santa Rosa Plateau Visitor Center to your left !!!!BE CAREFUL! DO NOT SPEED THIS IS WHERE WE ALMOST DIED AND DID GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC!!!! There has been a lot of deaths at this part of the road! The long winding drive through the mountains on what looks like a one way road that's really a two way road is worth it once you get to the falls. The trail was super easy at only 1.4 miles round trip with a slight incline most of the way. Once you get to the falls there are so many things to explore, like Turtle Rock. Be careful of snakes, I was tromping through the water just above the falls and was startled by a snake slithering past my leg in the water. He was not poisonous, but this is his and many other animals home so please take care when exploring and take out what you bring in.

Maps:

**To View the exact spot on Google maps where you will be parking click on the "Jessie's Trails" link below the map on the right side of the screen**

(Above Map) Cleveland National Forest Trabuco District

(Above Map) Tenaja Falls

Photos:

The two way road to the falls parking lot

No margaritas on trail

The start of the trail

Please read all signs at trailhead before heading out on a trail

one of the only signs along the trail

At the ford

What you will see if you take the trail to the right instead of going to the left over the ford

wrong way

Wrong way

Looking back at the road we drove in on

View of the falls from the trail

The trail to Turtle Rock

Hawk on a tree

Hawk

Videos:

Tenaja Falls- View of falls and surrounding area

Tenaja Falls- Waterfall

Think Pink!

2011-09-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Jessie's Trails now has Pink! paracord. From now through the month of October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month you can order your paracord product in pink to show your support and for every sale in Pink! Jessie's Trails will donate $0.50 to The Nation Breast Cancer Foundation. Make a donation today and help find a cure.

The Nation Breast Cancer Foundation Donations

Little Bear Canyon Trail

2011-09-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THIS TRAIL OTHER THAN THE INFO BELOW THAT I GOT FROM A SURVEYOR AT THE TRAILHEAD OF SWITZER FALLS. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ME AT JESSIESTRAILS@HOTMAIL.COM

Date/ Time:
September 12,2011
10:00am - 4:00pm

Location:

Coming from LA we took a different rout than Google tells you because there was a really bad traffic jam the morning of our hike and had to go around it; this is the way we went. The second return to this trail we took the same way even though there was no traffic jam because it proved to be much faster. Take the 405 North toward San Diego Fwy for 5 miles till you reach the CA-118 East. Continue on the 118 for 4 miles and merge onto the I-210 East toward Pasadena for 14.1 miles. Take the Ca-2/ Angeles Crest Hwy exit toward La Canada Flintridge 0.3 miles. Turn left onto Ca-2/ Angeles Crest Hwy (at the light)

If you still need to buy your adventure pass now is the time to do it. Turn right at the light instead of left and make the next left into the Shell Station you can buy them here or next door at the Sports Authority for $5.

After making a left at the light once you got off the freeway continue to follow the Ca-2/ Angeles Crest hwy up into the San Gabriel Mountains for 9.8 miles. You will see a small parking area with marked parking spaces to your right. Be careful if you choose to park at the top there have been tons of break ins and there's plenty of evidence of that all over the ground. Even parking in numbers wont save your window from being bashed in so keep an eye out for anyone looking suspicious before leaving your car. There are two more parking areas if you follow the small paved road past the gate down into the canyon. I sagest parking at the third parking area way down at the bottom. Its shady there and it further for the people who break into cars to travel BUT still not safe to leave your car. An Adventure pass is needed to park you can buy them online or at a store near you.

Hours:

Sunrise to sunset

Difficulty:

Moderate

Why?

This area was heavily burned during the 2007 station fire so there are a lot of fallen trees across the trail and on many occasions lost the trial completely having to follow foot prints past hikers had left.

Seasons:

All year but be sure to wear sun screen and have a hat for protection from the sun. This trail was burned so there is no shade from the trees.

Cell Service:

T-mobile - No service at the parking area and no service along the trail.

Trails:

Little Bear Canyon Trail- Unknown

Trail Condition:

The trail starts off well marked with small plaques along the trail that once told you information about the surrounding area. It however becomes very hard to follow and like I have said before we ended up having to follow foot prints left in the dirt by past hikers.

Trail Directions:

when you are walking or driving down the small road to the bottom parking lot you will pass two sets of stairs and just beyond that a small foot bridge. Cross that foot bridge and straight ahead on your left side there are signs warning you about the fire damage along the trail. Please be careful this is a rough trail to follow. We followed the trail; losing it a few times and having to follow foot prints in the dirt from past hikers until it dead ended at one of the many man made dams you will pass along this trail.

Other Activities:

Hiking

Mountain Bike

Links:

Facebook

YouTube

Adventure Pass

Etsy.com

Jessie's Thoughts:

This trail was a happy accedent; we meant to hike Switzer Falls trail and found this one.

I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THIS TRAIL OTHER THAN THE INFO ABOVE THAT I GOT FROM A SURVEYOR AT THE TRAILHEAD OF SWITZER FALLS. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL ME AT JESSIESTRAILS@HOTMAIL.COM

Photos:

Switzer Falls

2011-09-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

Date/Time:
September 19,2011
10am -1pm

Location:

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Difficulty:
Easy/ Moderate

Why?
The trail in mostly flat with short bursts of a slight incline. If you decide yo take Bear Canyon to the base of the falls there is an incline for about a half a mile that winds up the mountain along a slowly eroding trail. (stay away from the edges even when there is fencing).

Elevation Gain:
600ft

Seasons:
3 seasons; the summer months can and will dry up the falls. If you are lucky and its been a wet year there will be water all through summer. I went in September and there was enough water but I was told the water was very low and the stream gets way bigger and deeper so I can't wait to go back when there's been a good rain storm or after the snow melts.

Cell Service:
T-Mobil - No service at the parking area or along the trail
AT&T - No service at the parking area or along the trail
(If you got something different then or findings or have a cell provider not of the list PLEASE feel free to message me with your information Jessiestrails@hotmail.com)

Trails:
Switzer Falls - 4.5 miles

Trail Conditions:

Other than a few fallen trees the trail is in excellent condition. This is still an area that was hit by a fire (2007 Station Fire) so please be careful when you are exploring. The trail leading to the base of the falls way of Bear Canyon is slightly eroding in some parts and the fencing that was placed along sections of the trail are very unsettling to see them hanging over the edge showing how much has fallen away.

Trail Directions:

Once parked either follow the paved road down the the second set of stairs or if you parked at the bottom follow the trail over the small foot bridge and along the partly dirt partly paved trail into the canyon. The trail is well marked and very easy to follow and not get lost. After many stream crossings you will come to a fork in the trail. You can ether take the trail to the right over the stream and up some switchbacks up and out of the canyon (Stunning views) and then back down into the canyon to the base of the falls. Or you can take the trail to the left past what looked like small stoves on your left. You will pass a group of signs one being a map that's not very helpful or detailed in anyway. This trail will take you up and out of the canyon as well but it started to look a lot more burned than the rest of the trail so we decided not to continue. We instead went back to the fort int he trail and got in and followed the stream down a very short ways to the smaller waterfall above the largest one where we hung out and swam in the deep water at the base of the small waterfall.

Other Activities:
Hiking
Mountain Bike

Links:
Facebook
Youtube
Etsy
Adventure Pass

Jessie's Thoughts:

Was not one of my favorites mostly becasue I don't feel safe at all parking my car anywhere near here. The trail was easy to follow it however wasn't well marked and got a bit confusing for a short time. The first time we came here to hike this trail we ended up parking at the second parking area and had to walk resulting in us taking the wrong trail completely wondered through heavily burned areas exposed to the sun for hours until hitting a dead end and turning around. Once we hit the falls it was well worth it but I don't plan on doing this trail again for a long time.

Photos:

Videos:

This small waterfall can be found right above the largest fall

This was taken at the highest point along the trail to the base of Switzer Falls

Escondido Falls

2011-09-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Date/ Time:
September 6, 2011
11:20am- 2:25pm

Location:

Take the 101 north and exit Lost Hills Rd. In 1.2 miles turn right onto Las Virgenes Rd. After 3.3 miles Las Virgenes Rd. turns into Malibu Canyon Rd. continue for 4.6 miles till your reach Ca-1 north/ Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Make a right onto PCH. In 4.5 miles take a right onto Winding Way. Its a hard to see street and very easy to pass. Once you turn right onto Winding Way park in the parking area immediately to your left. No parking passes needed.

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Difficulty:
Easy/Difficult

Why?

Getting to the main waterfall was the easy part. If you want to see the other waterfall it will involve a lot of scrambling and at one point you will need to hold onto a rope to get across a small part of the trail (It looks scarier than it really is). I am terrified of heights and I managed to do it and it wasn't scarey at all so give it a try its worth the dirty clothes.

Elevation:
300ft. Gain

Seasons:
Year around but later in the summer months there is little water

Entrance Fee:
None

Cell Service:
T-Mobil - I got 2 bars at the parking area but got no service out on the trail.
At&T - Had Bars at the parking area but No service along the trail.
Metro- Had service at the parking area but No service along the trail.
Verizon- Some service at the second waterfall.

Trails:
Escondido Canyon Trail and waterfalls- 4.2 miles round trip

Trail Conditions:

For the first part of the trail it is paved until you get to the trailhead where it becomes a dirt path. To the base of the falls it is very well maintained and well traveled. If you decided to climb up to the bigger waterfall the trail is heavily eroded in some parts and others required some scrambling up and over rocks and trees.

Trail Directions:

The trail starts at a small parking area immediately to your left when you make the right onto Winding Way. From the parking area walk a short distance up Winding Way till you see a sign that says Edward Albert Escondido Canyon Trail and waterfalls with a small dirt path leading into the forest. Hiking along this trail you will see many trails leading off into other directions. I am not sure where these trails go just make sure to pay attention to where you are going it is easy to accidentally follow the wrong trail. Continue to follow the trail till it ends at the main waterfall.

For some adventure take the trail to the far right of the waterfall; there looks to be a trail right next to the waterfall I wouldn't recommend taking that way there is a much easier way up. Once you climb up the first section of the trail you will find a rope tied to two branches stretching across a small portion of the trail that the rope is needed to get across. Keep a keen eye out as you follow along this trail as it will disappear for short amounts of time as you climb over large rocks and fallen trees. Eventually you will see a smaller waterfall on your right side once you see this start looking up to find the top tier of the waterfall to your left a little. Follow along the trail that is leading towards it; the trail heads off away from the waterfall make sure to find a trail that leads towards it, it's kind of hard to see. Once you have found where to go you will arrive at the 150ft-200ft waterfall.

Other Activities:
Hiking
Equestrian

Links:
Facebook
Youtube
Etsy

Jessie's Thoughts:
We ended up going at the end of summer when there is practically no water so the falls were just a drizzle. I plan on coming back after a good rain storm to see if there is more water. The much larger waterfall above the main fall is a sight to see. It is absolutely stunning and must be witnessed in person to understand how truly beautiful it is even at the end of summer; It's well worth the climb up!

Photos:

Videos:

Escondido Falls

Escondido Falls Part 2

one the way up from the main fall to the big waterfall you pass this waterfall the second of three falls

this is the third and largest waterfall at 150- 200 ft

Dragonflies

San Antonio Falls

2011-09-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

About San Antonio Falls:

Mount San Antonio, commonly known as Old Baldy or Mt. Baldy, at 10,068ft is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, and the highest point in Los Angeles County. Mount San Antonio's sometimes snow-capped peaks are visible on clear days and dominate the view of the Los Angeles skyline. Mount San Antonio has two peaks: the main peak, with an elevation of 10,068 ft. and sub-peak, West Baldy, at 9,988 ft. Nearby are San Antonio Creek and San Antonio Falls. The creek descends through a gorge and forms several waterfalls. The last drop has a height of about 75 feet.

Date/Time:
August 29, 2011
10am - 11am

Location:

Coming from Long Beach, Ca I took the 405 south/ San Diego Freeway to the 605 north for 27.3 miles to the 210 east/ Foothill freeway towards Foothill freeway/ San Bernardino for 7.8 miles. Exit base line rd. and at the light make a left onto Base Line rd. Take the first right onto Padua Ave. for 1.8 miles and make a right onto Mt. Baldy rd. Continue up the mountain till you reach the Mt. Baldy Village. An adventure pass is needed and they can be found at the lodge or up the street a very short distance at the visitors center. You can also get them online here or find a location near you here. After you get your adventure pass follow Mt. Baldy rd. further up the mountain to Manker Flats and park at upper end of Manker Flats Campground in one of the dirt areas near the gated Falls Rd. on the left. If you reach the ski lift you have gone a little to far. To see exactly where you will be parking for this trail go to the google map on the right side of the screen, Click on the small link below the map that says Jessie's trails in dark blue and look for the trail you want to hike.

Hours:
Sunrise - Sunset

Difficulty:
Easy (short incline)

Elevation:
Trailhead- 6160'
Falls- 6400'
Elevation Gain- 250'

Seasons:
Year around, beware of snow fall in winter months

Entrance fee:
An adventure pass is needed, they can be bought online or you can find a location near you.

Cell Service:
T-Mobile - Service was sketchy in areas along the trail but I was still able to find a few bars and successfully send texts.

Trails:
San Antonio Falls- 1.2 miles round trip

Trail Condition:
The trail is in excellent condition due to the fact that it is paved until the look out point where you will have to follow a small dirt path to the base of the falls. Be careful if you decide to walk down to the base of the falls because the dirt trail is eroded in places.

Trail Directions:
From the parking lot you will notice two porter potties near a gated paved road leading up the mountain, follow this road till you get to a look out point where you are able to see the whole waterfall. You can continue up the paved road to the ski lifts or follow the small dirt trail to the base of the fall where you can relax or wonder around and explore the area.

Other Activities:
Hiking
Trail Running
Ski Resort

Jessie's Thoughts:
If you just want to see a waterfall without having to hike this is the one for you. The trail is paved all the way to a small look out point where you can view the entire waterfall and if you would like to get close there's a short dirt trail leading to the base of the falls. Once at the falls theres nothing to do except take a few pictures and wonder around for a bit before walking back to the car. You are able to climb up the rocks to the left side of the fall but be careful.

Maps:

Photos:

Videos:

San Antonio Falls

San Antonio Falls

Blue Jay

Bear Canyon Trail (old Mt. Baldy Trail) to Bear Flat

2011-09-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

Date/ Time Completed:
August 30, 2011
10am -

Location:
Coming from Long Beach, Ca I took the 405 south/ San Diego Freeway to the 605 north for 27.3 miles to the 210 east/ Foothill freeway towards Foothill freeway/ San Bernardino for 7.8 miles. Exit base line rd. and at the light make a left onto Base Line rd. Take the first right onto Padua Ave. for 1.8 miles and make a right onto Mt. Baldy rd. Continue up the mountain till you reach the Mt. Baldy Village at about 7.3 miles Turn left onto Bear Canyon rd. and park to your right at the Mt. Baldy Village Church. An adventure pass is needed and they can be found across the street at the lodge or up the street a very short distance at the visitors center. You can also get them online here or find a location near you here. To see exactly where you will be parking for this trail go to the google map on the right side of the screen, Click on the small link below the map that says Jessie's trails in dark blue and look for the trail you want to hike.

Hours:
sunrise to sunset

Difficulty:
Moderate/ Difficult
(Steepness, altitude, elevation gain)
Elevation:
Trailhead- 4260'
Bear Flat- 5530
Total Gain- 1270'

Seasons:
All year but winter may bring snow

Entrance Fee:
An Adventure pass is needed. To buy one online click here you can also find a location near you here.

Cell Service:
T-Mobile- I had no service down at Mt. Baldy Village and most of the trail till I got almost to Bear Flat where the trail comes out of the forest to show you amazing views of Mt. Baldy Village and surrounding mountains but I didn't have service at Bear Flat.

Trails:
Bear Canyon Trail- 3.6 miles round trip
Ridge Point- 7.4 miles round trip

Trail Condition:
The trail is well traveled and well maintained but if you decide to take the slightly longer way there are small parts of the trail that are very unsettling.

Trail Directions:
Starting at Mt. Baldy Village Church parking lot follow the small paved road up the mountain past a bunch of cabins. In about 0.4 mile we reached the end of the paved road and the beginning of the trail. Cross the creek and follow the trail for about 10 minutes where the trail splits with a small wooden sign pointing to the right to Mt. Baldy summit. Going to the right is the main trail to Bear Flat; we decided to follow the trail to the left.

If you decided to take the trail to the left it will cross the creek along some cool looking bridges and climbs some steep rock steps then passes a few old cabins (make sure to keep a sharp look out for the last cabin the trail looks like it keeps going climbing up the mountain dead ending at a large pile of rocks, if you have hit these turn around you have gone way to far!) directly in front of the last cabin, cross the creek and follow the trail as it climbs steeply up to rejoin the main trail.

Eventually there will be a small water tank on the left side of the trail. The trial switch back and climbs the slope to an open stretch with stunning views of Mt. Baldy Village down below and the surrounding mountains. The open stretch of the trail is very short as the trail loops back and enters the shade of the forest. Continue following the trail to Bear Flat where we crossed the small creek entering into bear flat.

Other Activities:
Hiking
Trail Running

Jessie's Thoughts:
I loved this trail! It was by far the hardest trail I have done because of the elevation gain and steepness of the trail but I can not wait to go back and continue past Bear Flat to the summit. I wouldn't recommend this trail to families with young children, and if you are not used to hiking in this elevation take the trail slow, there is no rush. Once we got to Bear Flat we sat with our feet in the ice cold water as we ate out lunch. Exploring the area there's not much to do as most of Bear Flat is covered in tall brush with a small trail snaking through.

Maps:

Photos:

Videos:

Bear Flat

Water slide

View along the trail

Part of the trail

Altoids Tin Survival Kit

2011-08-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

"Curiously Strong"

Here's a fun little survival kit I made out of an Altoids tin in just a few minutes. I managed to fit 20 things inside (and outside) but I do plan on replacing the flashlight and compass with much smaller versions so I am able to fit a few more things in it.

Whats in The Survival Kit:

Altoids Tin

Matches

2 strikers from the match box

Gum

Small Flashlight

Small compass

Candle (I used a birthday candle)

Foil

Ziploc Bag

4 Safety pins

Wire

Gauze

Bandaids

Alcohol Wipe

Sewing Needle

Thread

Mirror

2 Rubber Bands (I used hair ties)

Dental Floss

Razor Blade

Everything EXCEPT the wire! (forgot to put it in the picture)

The wire

Everything in except the wire and Alcohol Wipes

FINISHED!

Looking at the match box it had a lot of wasted space so I decided to alter the tray that the matches come in by making it smaller so it took up less room and still was able to fit all of the matches back in and more from another box! I then used plastic wrap to wrap the box so the matches wouldn't fall out. The fallowing pictures show how I made it:

Everything you will need

Almost done!

Adding Plastic Wrap

Small Piece of tape will hold it together.

Fits Perfect!

Paracord Hatband for a Boonie Hat

2011-08-23T18:10:00.000-07:00

A boonie hat , also known as a bush hat is a form of wide-brim hats what are commonly used by military forces. Its design is similar to a bucket hat but with a stiffer brim. Often a fabric tape band of 'branch loops' is sewn around the crown of the hat. This 'foliage ring' is meant to half additional vegetation as camouflage. A strap provides stability. The crown may be vented with rivets or mesh panels, Snaps may also be provided with which to fix the brim in the style of an Australian bush hat. Here is where you can buy one of these hats but you can go to any army surplus store.

This hatband is very easy to make it may look a little intimidating but its one of the easiest knots I have done so far and it looks awesome! You can use as much paracord as you want; I used 30ft. This is just one of many different ways I came across that you can tie paracord to your hat. This is the video I used to make it...

Dehydration and Water Purification

2011-08-19T15:25:00.000-07:00

Dehydration:

Water is a critical element of the body, and adequate hydration is a must to allow the body to function. Up to 75% of the body's weight is made up of water. Dehydration occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in.

Early or Mild Signs of Dehydration:

Dry or "sticky" mouth
Thirst
Headache
Muscle fatigue
Hotheadedness or dizziness
Reduced urination/ Dark urine

Moderate or More Advanced Signs of Dehydration:

Extreme dry mouth
Loss of appetite
Significantly reduced urination/ very dark urine
Crying without tears
Lack of sweat, even during intense exercise
Increased body temperature
Increased heart rate
Cold hands and feet

Signs of Severe Dehydration (A Medical Emergency):

Behavioral changes (increased fear, anxiety, embarrassment)
Muscle cramps
Tingling limbs (pins and needles)
Racing pulse
Vomiting
No urination
Fever
Shriveled, dry skin
In extreme cases, loss of consciousness
Difficulty breathing
Seizures

Dehydration Prevention:

Tip #1- Plan ahead and take extra water to all outdoor events where increased sweating, activity, and heat stress will increase fluid loss. Encourage athletes and people who work outside to replace fluids at a rate that equals the loss.

Tip #2- Check weather conditions for the area you will be in. When temperatures are high avoid exercise, outdoor exposure, and plan events that must occur outside during times of the day when temperatures are lower.

Tip #3- The young and old are most at risk of dehydration. Ensure that old people, infants, and children have adequate drinking water or fluids available and assist them if necessary.

Tip #4- Avoid alcohol consumption, especially when it is very hot because alcohol increases water loss and impairs your ability to recognize early signs associated with dehydration.

Tip #5- Wear light colored and loose fitting clothing if you must be outside when it is hot.

Tip #6- Break up your exposure to hot temperatures. Find air-conditioning or shady areas and allow yourself to cool between exposures.

Tip #7- Know the signs and symptoms of heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Preventing dehydration is one step to avoid these conditions.

About Dehydration (I am sorry this video starts automatically I don't know how to make it not do that)

Water Purification:

Along with knowing the symptoms and prevention of dehydration you should also know about water purification. What if you are out walking the dog, taking a short hike, or even a longer multi day hike and you get lost and/or run out of water? Water purification is the proses of removing undesirable chemicals, materials, and biological contaminates from contaminated water.

Common Myths:

Myth #1- Running water or white water is safe to drink

Don't count on it. Remember it comes from somewhere and the source or what it comes in contact with between the source and reaching your location could be suspect. Typically if you have to choose between running water and stagnate water always default to the former but make sure you also treat and purify the water before you consume it.

Myth #2- Eating snow is a great way to rehydrate safely

No, This can actually lead to further dehydration due to the process your body has to go through to heat and melt the snow once you eat it. It can also lead to hypothermia. If the snow has been on the ground for a significant period of time it could contain bacteria and other organisms that can make you sick. Always try to melt snow before you consume it. If the snow if not white or fresh, stay away from it or at least make sure you purify and treat it as you would any other suspect water (after you melt it).

Myth #3- Drinking saltwater in small amounts is safe

No, Drinking saltwater in any amount will lead to further dehydration and death more quickly than if you went without water at all. you can use saltwater to cool down your body but never to drink.

Myth #4- Drinking urine will prevent dehydration

You can drink urine 1 to 2 times in an extreme emergency but remember, urine is how you pass waste products out of your body. There is more water than waste products in a well hydrated individual however the ratio goes down as your hydration levels go down. Hence your urine will become darker colored as you become more dehydrated. It is a process of diminishing returns and eventually your body will shut itself down.

Myth #5- Barrel cacti are great source of water

This is not necessarily true.Although cacti do hold water, the odds are that the inside will be tough and fibrous and the water contained will not be abundant. In addition there is a greater likelihood that the water inside will be bitter and acidic which could induce vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. This would further complicate a survival situation and speed up dehydration.

Video on water purification

Sturtevant Falls

2011-08-17T14:16:00.000-07:00

About Sturtevant Falls:

In Big Santa Anita Canyon, the stuning 50 feet of cascading water that is Sturtevant Falls attracts thousands of visitors a year. Sturtevant Falls was named for canyon pioneer Wilbur M. Sturtevant, who carved out a trail in the 1890s and built his Sturtevant camp trail resort two miles up canyon from the falls.

The check dams all along the trail were built by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and the Forest Service in the early 1960s.

The cabins were built in the early1900s before the area was designated a National Forest. They primarily see only recreational use since the Forest Service prohibits continuous occupancy of structures on leased land.

Location:

Coming from Long Beach take 605 north to the 210 west/ Foothill freeway towards Pasadena. Exit Santa Anita Ave. Right at north Santa Anita Ave. Continue onto Chantry Flats Rd. Fallow Chantry Flats Rd. all the way to the parking lot. An adventure pass is needed, they are sold at the Chantry Flats parking lot.

Date/ Times Completed:
August 15, 2011
9:45am - 5:45pm

Hours:
6am - 8pm

Difficulty:
Moderate to difficult in some places

Elevation:
Trailhead- 2200'
Sturtevant Falls- 2100'
Total loss/gain- 700'
Gain/loss per mile- 378'

Seasons:
All year

Entrance Fee:
An adventure pass is needed when parking at Chantry Flats, they are available for $5. Here is a link where you can find a place near you to buy them or they are sold at Chantry Flats.

Cell Service:
(Along the trail fellow hikers and I try to successfully send texts at random points along the trail to determine cell coverage)

T-Mobile - Had service the whole time

Trails:
Sturtevant Falls- 3.7 miles round trip
Lower Trail (top of Sturtevant Falls)- About 1 mile round trip
Hermit Falls- 2.6 miles round trip

Trail Condition:
The first part of the trail is paved the rest is well maintained. There are a few spots along the Lower Trail (top of the falls) that I don't recommend for small children as parts of the trail has fallen down the mountain. See pictures below.

Trail Directions:

Starting at the Chantry Flats parking lot fallow the paved road behind the bathrooms on the first parking level all the way down the mountain till you reach an area with a bathroom, trashcans, a bridge, and trail sings. Crossing the bridge there is a trail to your right that I was told will take you to Hermit Falls without having to go up the hill but adds about a mile to your hike. I have not done this trail yet but once I do I will let you know. To get to Sturtevant Falls fallow the large trail past the trashcans and bathroom. Eventually you will see some cabins look for cabin 50 directly between you and the cabin is the stream there you will see natural slide in the rocks. Check out the videos below for us going down it. We have called it slide at cabin 50. Continue to fallow the trail along the stream crossing it a few time till you come to a sign that point up to the right to Lower Trail (top of the falls) this we took on our way back from Sturtevant Falls. This trail is not for dogs or children as parts were very difficult to get around as the trail have fallen down the mountain see pictures below... Continue along the same trail you have been on and that will take you to the waterfall base. There you can swim and hang out. To get back to the parking lot just go back the way you came.

Other Activities:
Hiking
Running
Equestrian
Mountain Bike
Swimming

Jessie's Thoughts:

Reading about this and the Hermit falls trail I found that most people liked this one the most out of the two falls but I have to say Hermit falls is my favorite. Sturtevant falls is a great hike for the family its easy to get to, the trail isn't very long, and the water at the base of the waterfall is deep enough to swim in but there are no spots to jump in from. The drawbacks are as this is such an easy trail a lot of families with small children do visit the fall. By the time we got to Sturtevant falls the whole area in front of the fall was packed with people with a bunch of kids splashing and screaming in the water. Along with hiking Sturtevant Falls we also did the Lower Trail (Top of the falls) and Hermit falls trail.

Photos:

Dragonfly

Resting

Blackberry

The slide at cabin 50

Thinking about jumping in

Cabin 50

Getting out to go again

Broken heart shaped rock

"Take care of the land someday you'll be part of it."

Sturtevant Falls 1/2 mile to go!

Lower Trail (Top of the fall)

Hardest part of the trail

top of the main fall

small waterfall upstream above the fall

Lower trail

Videos:

Alan going down the slide at cabin 50

Alan going down again

Koby going for the first time

Sturtevant Fall

Sturtevant Fall

small waterfall at the top of Sturtevant Fall

Hermit Falls

2011-08-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

Location:
Coming from Long Beach take 605 north to the 210 west/ Foothill freeway towards Pasadena. Exit Santa Anita Ave. Right at north Santa Anita Ave. Continue onto Chantry Flats Rd. Fallow Chantry Flats Rd. all the way to the parking lot. An adventure pass is needed, they are sold at the Chantry Flats parking lot.

Date/ Times Completed:
August 15, 2011
9:45am - 5:45pm

Hours:
6am - 8pm

Difficulty:moderate - difficult in some places

Elevation Gain:
400 feet

Seasons:
All year

Entrance Fee:
An adventure pass is needed when parking at Chantry Flats, they are available for $5. Here is a link where you can find a place near you to buy them or they are sold at Chantry Flats.

Trails:
Hermit Falls- 2.6 miles round trip
Sturtevant Falls- 3.7 miles round trip
Lower Trail (top of Sturtevant Falls)- About 1 mile round trip

Trail Condition:
Most of the trail was in great condition; part of it is even paved but there were a few spots where the trail was eroding and it was a long way down! We also had to cross over the stream using rocks, fallen trees, and plants but it was fun.

Cell Service:

(Along the trail fellow hikers and I try to successfully send texts at random points along the trail to determine cell coverage)

T-Mobile - Had service the whole time

Other Activities:
Hiking
Running
Equestrian
Mountain Bike
Swimming

Trail Directions:
Starting at the Chantry Flats parking lot we fallowed the paved road behind the bathrooms on the lower parking level down a short distance where we saw a sign to the left for Hermit Falls. The trail will Zig-zag all the way down to the stream where you will have to use the rocks to cross. Fallowing the signs we kept going along the trail till eventually ran into the top of Hermit falls. There were quite a few people there mostly teens so keep that in mind when going here. Sadly where there are large groups of teens there will always be tons of trash and graffiti... BUT Hermit falls is still a beautiful place! so please don't let the trash deter you and/or your family from enjoying this amazing place. Once at the falls we saw three pools of water the top one that had a natural waterside down to the second pool that was deep enough to jump in from the rocks above. The third and most difficult to get to is at the base of the fall. After attempting to find a way to climb down to the water we realized the only way down was to JUMP! off the large boulder that over looks the large/ deep body of water below. So take a step back and jump in! the water its deep enough :) After spending about an hour we headed back up the trail to the paved road where we took that all the way down to Sturtevant Falls.

Jessie's Thoughts:
Hermit falls is a great hike its just a little backwards starting up at the parking lot and having to descend down into the mountains only to have to climb back up once you are tired from swimming but if you aren't tired head over Sturtevant falls. There was a lot of trash most at the waterfall itself; hidden in and under rocks or just left on the floor! There was a small amount of graffiti but I have seen far worse. All in all this was a great hike and the end result (the waterfall) was way worth the trek back up the mountain. We can't wait to go back!!

Photos:

Santa Anita Dam

start of trail

"May your search through nature lead you to yourself."

Hermit Falls 1/2 Mile

Part of the trail

The first of many of these dam things

Had to cross

Hermit Falls 3/4 mile!

Almost there!!!

Top of main fall

Spider

Woodpecker

Videos:

View from trail on our way down to Hermit Falls

Along the trail

Top of Hermit Falls

Top of Hermit Falls part 2

Trails Canyon Falls

2011-08-10T16:41:00.000-07:00

As of August 10, 2011 the Trails Canyon Falls trail is still closed due to the Station Fire in 2009!

So todays hike was going to be the Trails Canyon Falls trail in Angeles National Forest BUT because of the station fire in 2009 its STILL closed! So we had to improvise and found a small dirt parking area further back down the road (see google map for the exact location) once you park and get out of the car look behind you back across the street and you will see some water fallow that and you will almost right away see an awesome waterfall! We then walked down to the creek and fallowed it upstream for a while till we found a very cool hut someone had made with a large deep swimming whole right in front! We continued to fallow the creek upstream and on the left side there was a waterfall that was dry but might be flowing after a good rain. Even though todays hike was a bust due to it being closed we had a great time exploring and getting lost that it was almost worth it being closed. :]

Trails Canyon Falls trail is CLOSED!

Private swimming area near Trails Canyon Falls

A small hut we found

A small Waterfall Near where we parked

Paracord Survival Bracelet

2011-08-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

A survival bracelet is made up of a single piece of 550 type III paracord weaved into a bracelet. Many designers lay clames to degign interpretations however the most important factor is the quality of the product and the type of paracord used. The fallowing is a guide for more information on different types of paracord.

Paracord is listed within nearly all survival kits today. Largely due to it being one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can take to the field, Its light, strong, and compact. Paracord survival bracelets are in use by both military/ police units and civilians worldwide. There are many different buckles, knots, and clasps you can choose to use when making your survival bracelet or you can choose to use none of them and make a slip on survival bracelet. The buckles I found to be hard to find considering I make and sell tons of survival bracelets and need to be able to buy what I need in bulk and not pay $5 for one buckle at the local craft store. I use this site http://cdwplus.com/singleSRB.html#anchor377174 it offers all different types, sizes, and colors and also sells in bulk. After spending many hours looking at many many many sites claiming to sell the best or the cheapest this site came out on top offering the best prices and largest selection. I use the black 3/8" curved side release buckles.

How to Make the Paracord Survival Bracelet

For the paracord survival bracelet with buckle go to this link http://www.instructables.com/id/Paracord-bracelet-with-a-side-release-buckle/ I am sorry I was unable to find a good how to video. If anyone finds a video that gives good clear directions or would like to make one for me I will gladly add it!

Sir James

2011-08-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

http://fredbubbles.weebly.com

Sir James is my little froglet. I have had him for a few weeks and hes already grown two front legs and is now adventuring out of the water. I have never had a frog or tadpole before so I am still learning, but I hope to one day have more cute little froggies! We found this cute little California Tree Frog in the Trabuco Canyon Creek on one of our hikes back from Holy Jim Falls http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com/2011/07/falls-canyon-falls.html You can look for updates on how Sir James is doing on his very own website at the link above or on the menu tab on my blog called Sir James.

http://fredbubbles.weebly.com

Temescal Canyon Road

2011-08-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

Climate:
I do not recommend this trail in the summer months as a large part of the trail had absolutely no shade and temperatures can easily reach over 100. Always check local conditions, posted warnings, and come prepared.

Location:

There are two ways to hike this trail the first one starting at Reseda Blvd./ Mulholland Fire Road and the other starting at Temescal Gateway park in Pacific Palisades, CA. Starting at the Reseda Blvd./ Mulhulland Fire Road trailhead; Coming from the south take the 405 freeway north to the 101 north. Exit Reseda Blvd. at the light make a left and fallow Reseda Blvd. all the way to the end. If you decide to Start at the Temescal Gateway Park trailhead; Coming from the south take the 405 freeway north. Exit West Sunset Blvd. at the light make a left. Fallow west sunset Blvd. all the way to Temescal Canyon Rd. and make a right.

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Entrance Fee:
If you are starting at the Reseda Blvd./ Mulholland Fire Road. parking if free unless you would like to park a little closer to the top of the hill (its not that far) If you don't want to pay park behind the white line. If you are starting at the Temescal Gateway Park parking is $7. If you are able to pay I highly recommend doing so as the money goes towards keeping this and countless other amazing parks open for generations to enjoy.

Difficulty:
Moderate to medium difficulty due to the trail having several steep inclines.

Trail Condition:
Well maintained

Trails:
Temescal Canyon Road- 7.3 miles one way
Temescal Canyon Loop- 4.4 miles round trip

Other Activities:
Nature Center
Equestrian
City Views
Wedding Venue
Historical Site
Dogs on leash
Hiking
Biking
Picnic area
Filming Locations
Temescal Field Science Program

***For more activities going on at Temescal Gateway Park go to http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=58

Jessie's Thoughts:

Starting at the top of Reseda at the Mulholland Fire Road go to the right and fallow the fire road a little ways till you see an entrance behind a small gate; this is the trail you will be fallowing the whole way. The Temescal Canyon Rd. winds along the side of a few mountains with amazing views of the canyon and valley behind you and eventually the beach and if you are lucky on a clear day you can see Catalina Island. Eventually we can upon a massive rock that we climbed all over and had even more amazing views of the mountains and canyon. There is a small cave on one side of the rock, when we took a look inside we say a lot of small animal bones so obviously this is someones home.; we decided to get out of there. Eventually the trail will become more like a trail and less like a fire road and this is where we ran into trouble. There is absolutely no shade for miles along this part and when its almost 100 out its not a good situation to be in! After a few hours of being in that heat with no shade opportunities I became severely dehydrated. We luckily found a nice shade area to rest in for a good long while before heading out again. Don't let my bad experience discourage you, this is a great trail for the more experienced hikers I wouldn't recommend this trail for small children or in the summer months as heat can easily be near 100. I can't wait in a month or two once it cools down we'll be heading back out on this trail for another go at it and maybe this time find the waterfall!

The entrance to the Temescal Canyon trail

Male lizard doing his mating dance for the lady

Cave

View of Catalina Island

The coast

Falls Canyon Falls- Near Holy Jim Falls

2011-07-28T10:43:00.000-07:00

Climate:
Falls Canyon Falls is usually nice all year, even in the dry seasons. The falls are viewed in the early spring or during the rainy season but beware, the creek can rise suddenly and become too swift for a safe crossing even in a vehicle. Beware of Poison Oak! Always make sure to check weather conditions before you head out.

Location:
Falls Canyon Falls is located in Cleveland National Forest in Trabuco Canyon, CA. From the 5 freeway exit El Toro (if you are coming from the north then you will exit El Toro rd. at the first light make a left then make a left onto El Toro rd. if you are coming from the south you will exit El Toro rd and make a right at the light) Fallow El Toro till you come to a fork in the road you will see a biker bar called Cook Corner (great for a cold drink after a hike!) Fallow the road to the right on Live Oak Canyon rd. eventually turning into Trabuco Canyon rd. Keep a look out for Trabuco General Store it will be on your left side; this is where you can buy the day passes. Continue down the road a very short way till you pass over a bridge and on your left will be a large dirt parking area you can park there or drive in further.

Hours:
Sunrise to sunset

Entrace Fee:
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park. They can be found at the Trabuco General Store that you will pass on the way there. 1 day passes are $5, 1 year passes valid for Angeles, Los Padres and Cleveland national forests for $30. You can find a place near you to buy the passes http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/vendors.php or buy an annual pass online here http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/pass-options.shtml I parked at the first parking area just off the paved road there are parking areas along the way eventually coming to the parking area for the trailhead WARNING! Small cars are allowed to drive on the dirt road and I have seen many people drive it but keep in mind the road is not paved and becomes very hard to manage in a small car NOT impossible just very hard!

Difficulty:
Moderate/ Hard - See 'Jessie's Thought on why

Trails:
Falls Canyon Falls - 4.5 miles one way
Holy Jim falls- (once at the trailhead) 2.8 miles round trip, from the first dirt patch (right off the paved road) 5 miles to the trail head

Jessie's Thoughts:

This waterfall in my opinion is the better of the two waterfalls that are in this area ( Holy Jim Falls is the other one). The drop is longer, the hike is shorter, and the trail less traveled. Starting from the dirt clearing by the paved road, take the dirt road 3.5 miles. We parked 3 miles in at the first time the creek crosses over the road and walked the half mile. We decided at this point to fallow the creek because we were not to sure where the turn off was and unless you know where it is you can't see it from the road. What you are looking for is a tributary; a stream or river that flows into a main stream, river, or a lake. Once you have found this fallow it upstream a mile; you can't miss the waterfall. The trail or lack there of is somewhat difficult with several stream crossings and climbing over and under trees and huge boulders. Pay very close attention to where you are going as the trail in most parts is not visible and poison oak is everywhere. After everyone in my group fell at least once, one boy almost falling down the hill onto rocks and water cutting himself in the process but other than that no major injuries, we made it to Falls Canyon Falls a 40ft waterfall with a small pool at the base. There is no swimming at the falls as the water is only knee deep but there are plenty of opportunities along the main road to find a swimming whole. I recommend this trail to anyone wanting a different adventure than what they are used to. We had 2 young boys in my hiking group and other than falling they made it out alive and walking so great for families with older kids.

Almost a frog

The group hiking up stream

Figs

The stream getting more difficult

The Chair

Got to climb over all that

What is a cairn?
Wikipedia describes a cairn as a “man made pile of stones, often in a conical form.” Basically, they’re a pile of rocks that are stacked on top of each other to look nice.

cave

The trail.

fell and cut himself

The waterfall

Falls Canyon Falls

The waterfall and hiking group