Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail is a 3.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Trabuco Canyon, California that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Note: this trail is not marked well, overgrown and hard to find. It’s very easy to get lost because of the many offshoots from the original trail. Off line map is recommended to get oriented. Trailhead can be tricky to find. It is several miles down a narrow winding one lane road. Walk onto the filed and follow the small stream that leads to the main stream. The stream will take you to the trail - follow the yellow blazes.
March 1, 2021Make sure you go after a good rainfall so all three water falls and rivers are optimal. Decent hike. Paths are overgrown and rocky or slippery in some places. Not difficult or moderate but you need good footing. Not super dog friendly but doable. You can hear the rattles but did not see any snakes. It was fun. Download the map first if you have hard time navigating without clear or marked trails. Fun but check for the dogs and yourself for ticks
February 27, 2021Lots of lose rock and trails aren’t very clear
February 22, 2021February 21, 2021Of all the hikes we've gone on in Southern California, this is one of our favorites. It's a beautiful stream side hike with a trail that is alternatively in the creek bed and on either side. After a mile there is some scrambling required and the trail cuts in and out of the forest the whole way. The trailhead isn't marked. We parked just past Falcon Campground (which was closed) on the side of the road and followed the GPS trail. We hiked with our dog and three-year-old, and both of them had a blast. That said, I would not go on this trail unless you are a seasoned hiker: The trail is not always easy to follow; there is a lot of scrambling; and the trail has a number of parts that are very narrow with drop-offs. The only sad part about this hike is that some losers have graffitied a number of the rocks as you get near the falls.
February 15, 2021Wow! This one was an adventure. We went early in the morning on a Monday and we’re the first people to the trail at 8:30am. The road up is one way so drive safely. The adjacent camp site was closed so we parked right by the barely marked trail entrance. For a “Moderate” hike, this one was a bit strenuous. There were a few sections were we had to use our hands to grip or scoot on our butts. Definitely wear pants and if you have them wear hiking boots. Mind you, we have only been hiking for about 5 months, but we have done several Moderate hikes. This hike is a bit wild, but beautiful. Make sure to download the maps before heading up the mountain because you will lose service. We didn’t make it all the way to the waterfall but it was still beautiful. We definitely want to come camp here in the future!
February 14, 2021February 14, 2021Very overgrown but still noticeable enough to follow. Stay close to the creek and take the high road and you’ll get there and back.
February 11, 2021Pretty!
February 8, 2021I have done this hike a few times and it's one of my favs. I usually feel like we are the only ones on the trail. I recommend using GPS to plot your progress as the trail is not always clear. Pants are required to protect your legs from getting scratched and poked. That said it is not a strenuous hike but best for seasoned hikers. The first falls has a couple catch basins and is dry right now. There are a few smaller ones and at the end is the big falls. The final falls has water and was flowing pretty good.
February 7, 2021Easy hike through a nice canyon. We did the hike on Sunday afternoon and met only few people along the way. Make sure to go all the way to the end of the canyon that ends with a beautiful waterfall
February 7, 2021Very overgrown trail but downloading the map offline was so helpful. Not much elevation gain, at least for myself, but it kept the heart rate going and I loved the rockiness of the trail. Gorgeous day out. Hardly anyone on the hike.
January 31, 2021There is no trail entrance sign and is overgrown. We went with our dog less than 2days after a really good rain fall. The waterfall did have a nice trickle. confimed it is a rocky trail, wear good shoes. The trail was a little mushy from the rain plus patches of ice/slush along the way. The trail can be hard to fallow at times but stay close to the stream and you'll find the waterfall. We had a wonderful time on a beautiful morning.
January 16, 2021It was a beautiful day today. Trail is very overgrown so be sure to have on pants. Rocky in some sections so wear good boots too. Waterfall is not running (if that’s what you’re looking for from photos posted about this trail).
January 11, 2021Overgrown wildness
January 6, 2021January 2, 2021January 2, 2021It was nice but way too rocky and the trail head was almost impossible to find. The trail is extremely overgrown. Beautiful day though!
November 15, 2020November 6, 2020August 21, 2020No access. Road closed 3.5 miles from the start of the hike.
July 26, 2020You have to drive up to the Cleveland National Forest and it was beautiful and green!! This was the best part of the trip The windy road driving to the trail is a one way and it was scary. There's barely enough room for you to pull to one side for another car to pass. Luckily everyone that we passed had the space for us to get through. The beginning of the trail opens up to a field. Using the alltrails map, there were a few different trails you could take that all will lead you back to one trail. We quit after 1 mile because it was too overgrown and difficult to walk through. it
July 25, 2020Trail is not clear completely overgrown. Dogs are allowed but there’s so many bushes I get in their fur. At the end there is no water. Bone dry.
July 24, 2020It’s a cool trail, just overgrown in some spots with spider webs across your face..but the ending is worth it
July 16, 2020Challenging but fun!
July 11, 2020This trail is not marked and hard to find. It’s very easy to get lost because of the many offshoots from the original trail and you must keep a map with you at all times. Beware of snakes, we heard rattling every time we stopped to take a break. The trail is completely overgrown so be sure to wear long pants and closed shoes. Overall would not recommend this trail for those looking for a fun waterfall hike.
