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San Juan Loop Trail

5.0 (1 review)

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4 years ago

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Bear Canyon Trail

Bear Canyon Trail

4.5(8 reviews)
8.0 mi

I was here on Saturday, May 13, 2023. I hiked Sitton Peak. I arrived at the parking lot at 6:30am…read more There were a few cars in the parking lot already but there were still empty spaces. The parking lot is easy to get to. There's restrooms in the parking lot. The adventure pass is required. This is an easy hike except the last .4 of a mile closer to the peak. It's really steep. Be careful. Trekking poles are helpful coming down in that section of the hike. There were several other people in the trail today. There was a group of kids who I think were boys scouts. There are a lot of bugs and I recommend you bring insect repellent. Overall, it was an awesome hike. Happy hiking! The 74 highway is under construction. I recommend you check the 74 Ortega Highway Widening website for future closures. They occasionally have 55hr full highway closures on the weekends. It's anticipated to be completed by Spring 2025.

A very nice trail, decent incline gains but nothing too crazy. This trail is great for beginners,…read moreand for more advanced hikers when you get to 4 corners you can take the trail up to Sitton Peak to make for a more challenging hike. The parking area for the trail is pretty big, and has a restroom and trash bins. Map directions to Ortega Oaks Candy shop & the parking area for Bear Canyon Trail will be right across the street. Don't forget to display your adventure pass. The start of the trail out to 4 corners is a little over 3 miles depending on what split you take around mile 2.

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Bear Canyon Trail
Bear Canyon Trail
Bear Canyon Trail

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Ortega Falls

Ortega Falls

4.0(60 reviews)
5.4 mi

If you visit this location, please bring your own trash bags. Please do NOT litter. Do not ruin it…read morefor other visitors. Be aware of poison oak all along the trails and the stream. The rocks disguise some of the clusters. I was so surprised there is still running water in the stream and the waterfall is still flowing. I came today (June 24, 2019) for an easy after work excursion. Picked up my Adventure Pass (daily parking pass) at Big 5 on my way to Ortega Hwy. if you're coming from the OC side, you can grab a pass if the Ortega candy store is open I believe. An annual Adventure Pass is $30. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation?cid=stelprdb5282717&width=full Many people do not know this, but a parking pass is enforced. They do random inspections. The first time I didn't know about this and I was issued a citation to log online and get a daily pass, even after the day was ended. If parking pass citations are not paid, they do accumulate. Fines start at $100. We accomplished the hike and waterfall excursion in two hours. The hike involves rocks and sandy trails. Be careful. It's steep at a few points, but nothing too difficult in my opinion. Once at the water though, I found it easier to follow the stream. We even went splashing and swimming a bit at one of the smaller waterfalls. We began our hike around 2 pm. We were one of three cars. Drove from the Lake Elsinore side. Hiked from the Ortega Hwy Turnout just past Hells Kitchen, and I didn't realize it, but the far left trails led us towards the bottom of the waterfalls. Wear good hiking shoes that you don't mind getting wet. I found the hike easier if I followed the stream. That entails getting into some puddles here and there. So glad I left earlier because by the time we got back to our car around 4 to leave, there was no parking available. There had to have been at least 15 cars between both sides of the road. Most without passes visible. If they're not needed during the weekday, please let me know. BIG 5 said I needed it. Overall, a fun and easy afternoon hike. To avoid the crowds, I suggest weekday before noon. The main waterfall is definitely a quarter of its volume from my March visit, but it was the perfect temperature to swim and cool off. Enjoyed the visit very much. If you'd like to watch my video of the excursion, you're welcomed to check it out via YouTube~ https://youtu.be/meJWuMWtK8k

My favorite "hike"! I prefer to do more of the "rock climbing" and going along the water but there…read moreis a trail that goes around. Lots of people on the weekend but never too busy. Best time is the spring, late winter.

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Ortega Falls
Ortega Falls - 5/6/2023

5/6/2023

Ortega Falls

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Tenaja Falls Trail Head

Tenaja Falls Trail Head

4.2(9 reviews)
7.4 mi

The waterfall is awesome. Getting there is not so awesome - be prepared to go down windy one lane…read moreroads for quite some time. After you get there, there's a short easy-to-moderate hike to the waterfall. If you are feeling brave, you can go down the first waterfall for a much closer view of the main waterfall. If you choose to do this (which I do not recommend), please be careful - one minor slip and you're falling dozens of feet onto rocks. Each time I have come here, I found a tick on myself - be warned that they are abundant in this area.

Great adventure for a sunny Saturday afternoon. The path to the top of the falls is more of a trek…read morethan a hike, due to the slow accent and being covered by trees and brush for most the journey you are not exposed to the hot sun making for a pleasant experience. For most the hike will take only a half an hour to reach the top, and about the same to descend. The path is not well marked, and hopefully you will encounter others along the way to keep you on the right trail. Now the drive to the base of the hike is another animal! Narrow, rough, uphill, downhill, washed-out paved road with some extremely deep potholes, and trenches making for a long slow drive of about 3.5 miles with opposing traffic that requires you to make way for passing very often, and blind curves to contend with. But....the pain was worth the pleasure we experienced once we reached Tenaja Falls. The view from the falls was breathtaking, and the water was cool and refreshing to sit beside and bathe my toes! I would assume that this is the best time to visit because the temperature is moderate, and the actual presence of rushing water to enjoy. Next visit I will pack a picnic lunch, and enjoy an extended stay. Highly recommend.

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Tenaja Falls Trail Head
Tenaja Falls Trail Head
Tenaja Falls Trail Head

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San Juan Loop Trail - hiking - Updated October 2026

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