【Hike】Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail in Lake Elsinore - Cleveland National Forest

Thursday, July 13, 2023

【Hike】Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail in Lake Elsinore - Cleveland National Forest

In April, my husband and I went to Upper Hot Spring Canyon in Cleveland National Forest to enjoy hiking. In our previous hike, we went to Black Star Canyon Falls Trail and enjoyed seeing waterfalls. Because we had a lot of rain in Southern California this winter and spring, waterfalls had a lot of water and were flowing beautifully. We thought that we should go to another waterfall trail in this season. We finally found this Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail on AllTrails App, and we also found this trail in the book, 50 Hikes in Orange County, which I purchased to enjoy Orange County hikes.

Tips for Walking on Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail.
・Apply sunscreen on entire body.
・Wear sunglasses and hat with high UPF.
・Drink water often.
・You can bring your dog.
・It's a moderately strenuous hike.

・It's rocky and slippery and not recommend small kids for this trail.

・No cell service.

My Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

When I go hiking, I use Under Armour MapMyWalk App to track my walk.

My Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail Walking Summary (UA MapMyWalk App)

Last year, I also started using AllTrails App. It's easy to use and helped me to not get lost. In addition, it's easy to find new hiking trails, and you can save your activities on AllTrails App. If you love hiking, you should try this app. It makes your hiking more enjoyable.

My Upper Hot Spring Canyon to Falls Trail Walking Summary (AllTrails App)

Parking

There are some parking lots around this trail. The closest parking lot to the trailhead is just past the Falcon Group Campground entrance, but it's a pretty small parking lot.

Falcon Group Campground Entrance

San Juan Trail Upper Trailhead Parking Lot at Blue Jay Campground

However, Google Maps through AllTrails took us to the different parking lot, which has a plenty of parking spaces is located the San Juan Trail Upper Trailhead at Blue Jay Campground. This parking lot is about a mile away from the trailhead of Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls Trail. Because it's almost no cell service, it's hard to google the right location. We eventually parked at this parking lot and decided to walk two extra miles round trip.

Public Bathroom at Blue Jay Campingground

The public bathroom doesn't have flush toilet.

Falcon Group Campground Entrance

Falcon Group Campground Entrance

After walking for 20 minutes or so, we arrived at Falcon Group Campground entrance. You will see two trailheads (right and left) from the small parking lot. We took the trail on the left-hand side.

Trailhead (Left)

It's pretty narrow trail.

Then, we made the left and kept walking on the trail. If you are using AllTrails App, it's easier to follow the trail with GPS.

We crossed over the stream several times.

The trail was easy to follow but very rocky and slippery. Because some areas had very steep and narrow path, we sometimes needed to be very careful not to fall nor slide down from the trail.

The trail follows Hot Spring Creek.

Miner's Lettuce

I had never seen these cute plants before. They were miner's lettuce.

The water was clear and beautiful.

We finally made it to the first waterfall.

We sat on the rock for a while. We enjoyed the soothing waterfall sound.

This time, we didn't go to the second waterfall and decided to return the way we came.

We finally made it to the small parking lot near the Falcon Group Campground entrance. Then, we walked to the Blue Jay Campground parking lot, where we parked.

It's flat and easy path. We enjoyed birdsong while walking.

Finally, we were back to the parking lot. My legs were so tired after walking 4.5-miles including the steep rocky trail.

This trail was harder than I had expected. It's because rocky and slippery trail with little to no shade. However, the waterfall was amazing and soothing.