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 Reporter |
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 13 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Mr Offroad on 1/28/2010 The dirt road is the best. It is bumpy as all hell. There are lots of off shoots that can get pretty crazy and muddy. There is a few deep pits that fill with water after a good storm that you will have to drive thru. The water at this time can pool as tall as 3 feet. So make sure you have 4wd if you go back in there right after a rain. One of the few cool things to see the the Remote Control Air Port. There are people that hike and mountain bike this every time I have been there. Most bikers will not get out of the way if you drive your truck in there. So be nice and go slowly around them. There are guys that also ride dirt bikes back in there as well, Most are a bunch of fools, going too fast and seldom get out of the way. 
Reviewed by Christopher on 1/4/2010 Did not make it more than 1 mile on that crappy dirt road! And I was driving my truck. Lots of volleyball size sharp rocks imbedded on the road. You will tear out your oil pan in a car. The road is TRASHED!! 
Reviewed by Sarah on 11/9/2009 I really enjoyed this nice little hike. It's definitely short (took us 1 1/2 hrs round trip), but it's good exercise with a mild elevation gain. I was pleasantly surprised to see water in the creek as we got closer to the waterfall, and to even have a waterfall at all in November. We took our dog (a chocolate lab), and he loved it. The only downside which would keep me from doing this hike more often is the road in, which really is difficult. I did feel like our car was well able to handle it, as we have a Ford Escape, though it's not four wheel drive. I did see a couple of sedans and one mini van that seemed to make it okay too. Overall, November was a great time to go. Nice cool weather, and not wet yet.
Reviewed by Angus on 10/28/2009 Went too fast on the way in, the civic was creaking and dropping pebbles for a couple months afterwards. A really easy hike for my dog and I. Little salamanders were prolific in the stream cross overs(two were doing something extra). Scary looking water beetles as well. There are nice people in the neighborhood too, some guy on an ATV gave me a beer and cigy. He said dogs are cougar bait at night and when foods scarce. Next time I'll rent a hummer and try for the longer hike.
Reviewed by CKC on 9/23/2009 This is really a review of the hike to the top of Santiago Peak which you can get to if you start out on the trail to the falls. Just keep hiking past sign for the falls until you get to Main Divide Road and go left. The hike is a moderate hike to the top of Santiago Peak. Once on the Main Divide Road about 90% of it is exposed to the sun. From the trailhead for Holy Jim to the peak and back down took us 6 hours (this includes 1/2 on top looking around). The drive in from the road to the trailhead is no joke. We had a Subaru Outback and that did just fine - just take it slow. The views from the peak are fabulous and this hike to the peak is definitely worth it.
Reviewed by Shane on 7/18/2009 This is a very nice and peaceful hike. Lots of stream crossings. It can be really hot and humid in the summer. Will definitely do it again. Make no mistake about it. The road in is no joke! Any car can make it. I did this hike twice and had to get an alignment on my truck after each hike. Yes, its that rough. Next time i would prefer my friend drive...
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 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. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||