Hiking Adventure Through Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfall

Cranky, Unfiltered Hiking Guide: Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfalls

Fancy a wild, grueling hike that'll leave you breathless and aching for more? Look no further than the Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfalls! This secluded corner of Cleveland National Forest is remote, untamed, and straight-up epic. But be warned, this trail ain't for the faint-hearted or the ill-prepared.

The hike begins upstream at the headwaters, where you'll wander along Hot Spring Creek. The trail can be bone-dry in the summer, making it more of a rock-hop than a hike. However, come winter, the water flow can build to a swift torrent, turn the granite slick, and test even seasoned hikers' mettle. You'll navigate moss-covered cliffs, cacti, oak trees, poison oak, and aquatic grasses as you venture deeper into the canyon.

This hike can be broken down into two distinct sections:

Thefirst, relatively tame half to the 15-foot "first falls." I've seen 9-10 year old Girl Scouts successfully summit this waterfall.
The second, more brutal stretch toward the 25-foot "second fall." The trail gets distinctly rugged, with multiple creek crossings and narrow stretches along the cliffside.

If you've made it this far, brace yourself. The trail ends at the "second fall," but that's just the beginning of the real challenge. Beyond lie cliffs, waterfalls, poison oak, and some of the most rugged terrain in SoCal. Many experienced hikers tackle this section, but it's considered more of a canyoneering exercise. It's not for the faint of heart, with one guide recommending a grueling 10-14 hours to cover the 7 miles!

Osprey Hikelite 26 - My go-to daypack. Light, tough, and keeps my back dry with the trampoline mesh.

But if you dare, the reward is the largest (and least-seen) waterfall in the Santa Ana Mountains—the 160 foot Tanrverdi Falls.

I wouldn't recommend pushing past the "second fall" unless you're a seasoned adventurer, the conditions are ideal, and you've got your survival skills on point. I've experienced some dicey sections in the dry season and wouldn't risk it again. As one canyoneering guide put it, "it'll leave you with great memories and absolutely no desire to go back." The extreme nature of this canyon invites falls, sprained ankles, and broken bones, and evacuation from the narrow canyon won't be easy.

Norda 001 - Like a monster truck and a comfy pillow had a featherweight baby, for your feet.

Remember, Ken Croker, the main force behind the San Mateo Wilderness, wanted Hot Spring Canyon protected as well. He proposed building a trail to Tanrverdi Falls from the lower approach, starting at the Lazy W Ranch.

Location, Location, Location.

Garmin inReach Mini 2 - When I need 100% reliable SOS coverage, this is what I take in the backountry.

The Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfall Hike starts from a small roadside parking area by the Falcon Group Campground. Use this trailhead address: Falcon Group Campground, Main Divide Truck Trail, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530

Gear Up.

AllTrails Plus - 30% off! Up-to-date trip reports. AllTrails+ adds offline maps, off-trail alerts, and Garmin sync.

Even on the easy parts of the hike, the trail can be overgrown, narrow, rocky, and wet. Expect to wear long pants, apply generous insect repellant, and bring trekking poles. Don't forget your trusted gear, such as the Osprey Hikelite 26, Norda 001, Garmin inReach Mini 2, AllTrails Plus, and the Garmin Fenix 8. Visit my Top Gear Picks page to learn more about each piece of gear.

Trail Maps

Garmin Fenix 8 - Took a few updates to get right, but now it's rock solid for me. I use it for maps, tracking, and routing.

View the hike on CalTopo or download the GPX file for comprehensive trail information. Remember, this trail is not officially marked, but it is well-trodden, especially the portion to the first waterfall.

Before you embark on this wild adventure, remember to check the forecast, pack enough water, and wear sturdy shoes. And for the love of all that's wild, be prepared to get muddy, scratched, and exhilarated! Happy hiking!

The Upper Hot Spring Canyon Waterfalls trail, situated within Cleveland National Forest, is a wild, grueling hike that, for the prepared hiker, offers breathtaking views of waterfalls and rugged terrain.
The hike, split into two sections, begins upstream at the headwaters, navigating moss-covered cliffs, cacti, oak trees, and aquatic grasses before reaching the 15-foot 'first falls'.
The second section, more challenging, leads toward the 25-foot 'second fall', featuring multiple creek crossings and narrow stretches along the cliffside.
Beyond the 'second fall' lies some of the most rugged terrain in Southern California, offering the chance to explore cliffs, waterfalls, and the least-seen 160-foot Tanrverdi Falls, but this section is considered a canyoneering exercise and should only be attempted by seasoned adventurers.
Essential gear for this hike includes the Osprey Hikelite 26 daypack, Norda 001 hiking shoes, Garmin inReach Mini 2 for emergency SOS coverage, the AllTrails Plus app for up-to-date trip reports and offline maps, and the Garmin Fenix 8 for maps, tracking, and routing.
The trailhead for this challenging hike is located at a small roadside parking area by the Falcon Group Campground, with the address: Falcon Group Campground, Main Divide Truck Trail, Lake Elsinore, CA 92530. Always check the forecast, pack enough water, and wear sturdy shoes before embarking on this wild adventure.