Anonymous Source

Hike to an Unnamed Waterfall in the Cleveland National Forest

04.04.2019

Hidden in the Cleveland National Forest near Los Pinos Springs is a waterfall so unknown it doesn’t have a name yet and neither does the 2.6-mile (round-trip) out-and-back trail to find it. But the path immediately immerses you in a feeling of wilderness with the peaceful sounds of running water and the cool shade of the dense forest.

The trailhead is marked only by three short posts in the ground directly in front of the parking area. You may have to duck under some low-hanging tree branches, but you will be instantly plunged into a wide-open field surrounded by Jeffrey pines and canyon live oaks. Hard to believe you’re only 20 yards from your car! After the field, the trail weaves through a natural tunnel of branches (the first of many) and remains mostly shaded for the first quarter-mile.

You’ll soon come upon the stream that will serve as your guide to the waterfall. The trail never veers far from it. The few times it’s out of sight, due to dense foliage, it remains within earshot. As long as you stick by the stream, you will find the falls without any trouble. Along the way you’ll hear the croaks of California tree frogs, though they can be hard to spot. You’ll pass through tight spaces of branches and wide-open clearings intermittently, and you’ll cross the creek a few times. Close to a mile in, you’ll start seeing large patches of California buckwheat. You will hear the waterfall before you arrive at the crest of it. There’s plenty of surrounding rock formations to scramble up and lounge upon as you enjoy the falls up close and safely. Maybe you’ve earned naming rights!

WILDFLOWER BONUS: If you head up to No Name Falls via CA-74 through Lake Elsinore, you can stop off at a spot directly off the highway that looks over Lake Elsinore and gives you a panoramic view of the superbloom of poppies in Walker Canyon.

From the I-15, take the exit for CA-74/Central Ave. and head west. Make a quick right on Collier Ave. and a quick left onto Riverside Dr. Make a left on Grand Ave. and then a right turn to stay on CA-74. Follow CA-74 for 6.5 miles up the mountain, then take a right on Main Divide Truck Trail. After 0.6 mile, stay on the paved road to continue onto Long Canyon Rd. Stay on Long Canyon Rd. for 2 miles. You’ll see a parking area just past the fork of Long Canyon Rd. and Hot Spring Canyon just outside the Falcon Group Campground. The coordinates for the trailhead are 33.657731,-117.450938.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Perles Beach Angel Island San Francisco Bay

    Secret Beach

    A hidden beach and a killer view? Those are hard to come by, but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Perles Beach on Angel Island. Bike or hike to this beautiful pocket cove.

    View

  2. Cinematic Sonoma

    Longer days. Golden light. Wildflowers in bloom. It’s the perfect moment to plan your spring escape to Sonoma for the Sonoma International Film Festival, March 25–29. No fuss. No sprawl. Just films, friends, fresh air, and that unmistakable Sonoma glow.

    View
  3. Hike Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve

    Mellow in the Marsh

    Beach, birds, ice plant popping purple flowers: That’s a hiking slam dunk! Hike about 2 miles at Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve using their easy to navigate (well-signed) Sequoia Audubon Trail.

    View
  4. A man is looking through his binoculars at sunrise at the Bayland Nature Preserve in Palo Alto

    Baylands Bird & Art Loop

    Combine an outdoor art walk and wildlife sightings at the Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto. This 5-mile loop through Byxbee Park and the Emily Renzel Wetlands features striking installations by artists Peter Richards and Michael Oppenheimer—where the landscape itself becomes part of the canvas.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories

  1. Tree Town

    Home to an estimated 21,000 trees and 100 acres of parkland, South Pasadena has earned its nickname: the City of Trees. This 2.5-mile neighborhood walk lets you experience its leafy canopy up close, winding through charming streets and three of the city’s beloved parks.

    View
  2. Fountain to Falls trail Monrovia

    Fountain to the Falls

    There are three ways to reach the lovely Monrovia Canyon Falls, but only one of them is worthy of being named a good challenge, with a lovely old town stroll included.

    View

  3. A Better Way to Baldwin

    The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook in Culver City is one of West L.A.’s most popular hiking spots, but most visitors miss the bigger picture. This 3.5-mile out-and-back along a section of the Park to Playa Trail offers a fuller experience of this gorgeous nature park with sweeping urban views and a few artistic surprises along the way.

    View

  4. Stairstruck in Hollywood

    Beachwood Canyon in Hollywoodland has an action-packed adventure with A-list workouts, big-budget views, and a stair-studded cast. Running time is 1.25 miles with five staircases.

    View