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Summary: This may be Orange County's most popular family hike despite the washboarded road leading to it. Nature was profaned here by the swear words flooding from the mouth of "Cussin' Jim" Smith or "Holy Jim" as he was renamed by tightlaced government surveyors who mapped the canyon in the early 1900s. Another bit of history marks the place: the last wild California Grizzly -- an old bear named "the honey thief" -- was killed at the mouth of Trabuco Canyon after robbing beehives here in 1907. Heavy winter rains are essential to a pleasant journey. Along the way, you will see many small cascades and cross the stream several times before you reach the split where the main trail ascends to the Main Divide Road to the left and the trail to the waterfall shoots off to the right. Watch for poison oak as you scramble over the last quarter of a mile to the twenty foot falls. This may not sound like much, but I assure you: Holy Jim Falls is a chapel in the brush. Trailhead: The road journey is half the adventure. The road to the falls parking lot has potholes that eat trail bikes and washboarding that will make you sing like a jaw harp. Please go no faster than 20 mph: flying rocks from your tires can seriously harm others. From Interstate 5, get off at El Toro Road. Head north on El Toro to the point where the road forks at Cook's Corner. Take the right fork (Live Oak Canyon Road) past O'Neill Park. A quarter mile past Trabuco School, you will pass over Trabuco Creek. Turn left onto the dirt road. Some people park here and hike in: this adds 4.45 miles and 840 feet to your hike. Most continue on the road for another 4.45 miles and park in the Holy Jim lot. Though washboarded in parts, the road is usually passable for most passenger cars. The trail ascends the canyon on the left side of the parking lot. Trail guides are available from the Traubo Ranger District or at the trailhead. (Lat:33.677 Lon:-117.5162) Trail Guides for Holy Jim Falls, Cleveland NF: Afoot & Afield in Orange County by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Easy Hiking in Southern California by Ann Marie Brown (Foghorn Press) The Definitive Guide to the Waterfalls of Southern & Central California by Chris Shaffer (Shafdog Publications) Best Seasons: Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Trabuco Ranger District, Cleveland NF (951) 736-1811 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Joel Sax, who has posted 51 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 12 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Sue B on 6/14/2009 We did the hike on Saturday, June 13th and it was fun! The falls were flowing very nicely and really lived up to all the reviews. The hike was not difficult but I would think twice before I bring any really small children along. The hike did require you to cross the stream several times. Overall it was absolutely beautiful and we're looking forward to hiking it again.
Reviewed by Shirley on 6/13/2009 Error: Reserved Word Found: ;
Reviewed by Peter on 5/26/2009 We did the hike over Memorial Day weekend after learning about this trail from a hiking guide. Good thing it warned us not to be imtimidated by the access road as my wife and son were clammoring to turnaround after we started our venture. The off-roading certainly made the hike even more memorable. We did the hike w/ a 5 and 2 YO. I had the 2 YO on a pack and we did the hike to the fall in 2.0 hr (R/T) at a very leasurely pace. There were tons of other families so very kid friendly trail with stream crossings and a little bit of climbing up rocks to get the kids into the groove.
Reviewed by AD on 5/25/2009 Hiked on May 25, 2009. Very nice hike. A surprising amount of water at each crossing. The crowds were minimal for being a holiday weekend. The road to the parking lot was way more "off road" than exspected with areas that even a full size 4x4 SUV were scrapping. I would avoid this road with a normal car. Great hike though, would do it again.
Reviewed by David K on 4/26/2009 This is a diamond for being so accessible. My daughter and I hiked out today and saw water at every single creek crossing and the falls are flowing very nicely. The hike is mostly canopied by the trees and other foliage. The walk up was christened with flowers along the trail, birds singing spring tunes, and the water flowing over the rocks. This was a very pleasant time to visit the falls, including the cool spring weekend, minimal flies, and reasonable crowds near lunch time - getting busy later in the day. I would recommend this trip for those that want a short hike, close to home in Orange County - especially those of us that are Sierra Nevada hikers and backpackers, as I am.
Reviewed by Colin on 3/16/2009 Better have a truck or SUV on the creek road getting to the trailhead..it's a bumpy ride. There is a 20 minute walk from where you park to the trailhead and then another 45 minute hike to the falls. Great place to chill and eat a snack before heading up to the summit which gets tough on the switchbacks.
Reviewed by Devona on 3/8/2009 Like the other reviewers before me have said,the trip to the 'parking lot' was an adventure in itself. The first time we attempted to do this trail we took our full size sedan not expecting the road to the 'parking lot' to be so rocky and filled with potholes and mud. We got about halfway to the parking lot and had to turn back around for fear that the road would damage the car. Our second trip was far better for we actually got to hike the trail(we rented a mid-sized SUV). It was excellent! The scenery was beautiful and we could hear the sound of rushing water the entire way which was very peaceful and soothing. I hadn't been hiking in a very long time but was able to complete this trip with moderate effort. 
Reviewed by Mike on 3/5/2009 My wife and I found out about Holy Jim's through this website and did the hike this week. It was a lot of fun. Beware of the road leading up to the Holy Jim 'Parking Lot'. We have an All Wheel Drive GMC Yukon Denali and this road put our truck through the paces. Slow going, plenty of pot holes, and some mud and water. I heard that it has been done in passenger cars, but I wouldn't try it. The hike was great! The trail leads up a tight canyon behind Saddleback and crosses the stream some 8 to 10 times probably. My wife and I wear water proof hiking boots so it was no problem, but you may want to plan on hiking in wet feet if you are wearing regular shoes or boots. Great hike. I would definetly recommend it. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Orange County Hiking, Orange County Trails, Orange County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
