Trip Date: 4/15/12

Location: Cleveland National Forest (Trabuco District)

Permit/Pass: Display Day Pass ($5), Forest Adventure Pass or National Parks Pass in car. 

Directions: From Interstate 5 in San Juan Capistrano take Hwy 74 (Ortega Highway) east 23.4 miles to the junction with South Main Divide Rd. on the right. Turn right and follow South Main Divide for a little over 14 miles as the road worsens (it never becomes so bad that a car with decent clearance can't handle it) and winds up and down and around the hills and canyons of the Cleveland National Forest. 

Trail sequence: Tenaja Falls trail

Type: Out and back

Distance: 1.6 miles

Elevation: Min. - 1230', Max. - 1565'

Rating: Easy

Synopsis: An easy, very popular hike to a pretty waterfall (in wet seasons). The trail beyond the falls is quite enjoyable, far less traveled and not really as impacted as the short hike to the falls (the amount of graffiti is pretty distressing). Be prepared for plenty of company on the weekends, as well as swimming and picnicking at the pools at the top of the falls.

Track: Tenaja Falls - Cleveland NF

Turn by Turn:

  -- Not much in the way of directions needed for this hike. A few yards after the hike begins you cross a stream, then pick up the trail on the other side as it heads up the west side of the canyon. There are spots along the way where you can get a good picture of the falls and nice wildflowers in the spring.

  -- If you're so inclined, after exploring the falls area a short jaunt up the trail gets you away from most of the crowds and into some nice creekside spots. 

Photo gallery: Flickr