Pauma Creek Trail is a 0.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pauma Valley, California that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, fishing, and fly fishing and is accessible year-round.
fishing
fly fishing
hiking
walking
forest
river
views
waterfall
wild flowers
wildlife
bugs
old growth
over grown
rocky
scramble
off trail
no shade
The trail is primarily used for access to Pauma Creek and is best used from October through May as high summer temperatures make passage difficult. This is a primitive use trail that starts near a turnout on Nate Harrison Grade Rd. The trail descends the steep canyon walls above Pauma Creek through heavy chaparral and poison oak. The trail is extremely faint and footing is loose at times.
Been going here for years and recently visited in May 2017. Pauma Creek is a hidden gem in the North County, San Diego area and one of the most pristine and undisturbed mountain streams in Southern California.
Don't be fooled by how short this trail is. It is ridiculously steep, exposed to the sun most of the way, covered in poison oak, has loose footing from a 2008 forest fire, and if that isn't enough then there are the ticks, biting flies, and occasional rattlesnake that will gladly attack you along the way.
For those willing to brave the very unforgiving trail, there is a paradise waiting for you at the bottom. Pauma Creek flows year-round and plunges over 4,000ft down the canyon through a series of pools and waterfalls.