|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 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 2 of 13 Submit your own review 
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. 
Reviewed by Jessica on 3/3/2009 The road to Holy Jim is half the adventure! It is rough, rocky, muddy (in some spots and not everytime), bumpy road. If you're prepared, it's not so bad. The hike is beautiful, especially this time of year. In about another month, the figs will have their leaves and the wildflowers will be in full bloom. There was plenty of water in the creek and the waterfall was the biggest I've ever seen it RECOMMENDATION: If you're bringing little ones, bring a change of shoes & clothes so they can play in the water along the way, wade in the pool at the waterfall, and then put their dry stuff on for the hike back. It makes it a more pleasurable hike when they aren't complaining that their feet hurt (because of the wet shoes) all the way back.
Reviewed by Bahamut on 2/7/2009 I did this hike a while ago it was very nice. the hike was easy, keep your eyes on the creek because you might see some Newts swimming around. The road to reach it is pretty crappy but as long as you take your time you'll be ok.
Reviewed by Sharlene on 1/1/2009 I did this hike today with my two year old twins and we had a great day. The road to the trailhead is very bumpy with some creek crossings and lots of potholes and mud. I wouldn't do it in a 2wd passenger car. Our SUV did great and it was a fun drive. There was plenty of water in the stream and we did get our feet wet when the trail crossed over the stream a few times but it was all part of the enjoyment of the experience. It was a very easy trail and very pretty.I thought the falls were a little disappointing but I am a recent Norcal transplant. The journey was much more interesting than the destination. Definitely try to go after some rain. A great hike for families.
Reviewed by stephen on 12/26/2008 don't try to get there in a regular passenger car. it just rained a few days ago, so there were huge puddles. the hike itself was surprisingly nice! there were lots of creek crossings, the trail was well maintained, and overall, very fun!! would definitely go back! 
Reviewed by BN on 12/3/2008 Saying this road is bad is the understatement of the century. I grew up in the desert where bad washboardy dirt roads are the norm, and this is probably the worst road I've ever been on. Its all rocks. I had to drive less than 10mph in a Jeep and through water. I don't know how people get cars up there. Also, there is nowhere to buy your forest pass when you get there, so you'd better buy it ahead of time. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||