Sunday, March 5, 2006, 7:30 AM: “Holy Jim Canyon Falls” Hike

 

Location: Meet site will be the parking lot near the Carl’s Jr. on the northeast corner of Yorba Linda Blvd. and Village Center Dr.  Grabbing some quick chow or coffee can be done while meeting up.  We will caravan to the trailhead, which will take about 1 ½ to 2 hours.  Porta-Johns are at the trailhead parking, but nowhere else on the hike.

 

Cost: $5.00 per vehicle by purchasing a National Forest “Adventure Pass.”  Carpooling is, therefore, recommended.  Organize that within your dens.  Passes (read that as a parking fee) can be obtained at most reputable sporting goods store (e.g. Big 5, Short Chalet, REI), and hang from your rear view mirror.  Big 5 often runs out of the passes, but REI & Sport Chalet almost always seem to have them.  The $5 fee can also be paid at the trailhead parking lot.

 

Directions:

Driving time is about 90 minutes, with half of that on Trabuco Creek Road.

- Imperial Hwy south

- Left (east) Santiago Canyon Rd.

- Right (south) Jamboree

- Left (east) Chapman/ Santiago Canyon Rd.

- Left (east) Live Oak Canyon Rd.

* We will rally at the fire stations on the right side of the road, just after O'Neill Park, and then continue.*

- Left (northeast) Trabuco Creek Rd. to the trailhead

Thomas Guide:  Page 864, Grid A-4

 

Information: This hike was popular enough last year, so we're doing it again, and also because it is the Outing Chair’s favorite.

 

The hike is roughly 3.2 miles round trip, with a 650-foot elevation gain.  Scouts can earn the “Santa Ana Mountains Cub Trekker” patch provided that they carry all of the Boy Scout 10 Essentials Plus the whole way (Water, Flashlight, Bug Spray, Whistle, First Aid Kit, Trail Food, Sunscreen & Lip Balm, Poncho-or large trash bag with head and arm cut outs, Compass, Map, Sunglasses/ Hat).  Even the Tiger Cubs can do this, as was seen and proven last two springs.

 

Opportunities will be had to possibly see quail, hawks, snakes, salamanders, bugs, and various plant specials that the boys get a kick out of (e.g. wild cucumber, poison oak, wild grape, etc.), and other unnamed critters.  This is mountain lion country.  The falls will be the turn around point.  The strength of the falls, and the stream that it feeds, will be dependent upon seasonal and recent rainfall.  This stream will be crossed numerous times using rocks and felled logs, so bringing extra socks for the unintended slip would be a good idea.

 

Trabuco Creek Road is unpaved, deeply rutted, infested with large rocks, “E Ticket” ride.  High profile and 4 wheel drive vehicles are recommended, if you have them.  I was able to get down this road in the past in a Pontiac Firebird, but I thought that I had ripped out my oil pan a few times.  Bottoming out is likely in the low profile vehicles.  If there has been a recent rain there is the possibility of getting stuck.  Traveling this road is usually done at the 1-15 mph rate (except for the teenagers you'll see going down it).  Trabuco Creek will be crossed on this road anywhere from 4 to 8 times, depending upon the season’s rainfall.

 

Required Gear for Scouts: Boy Scout 10 Essentials, map, spare socks, and other gear at the participants’ discretion (e.g. hiking sticks, cameras).  Scouts coming solo need to have a completed permission slip with them (attached herein).

 

Uniform of the Day: Pack T-Shirt (if owned), Cub Scout Ball Cap, and handkerchief or neckerchief.  NO OPENED TOED FOOTWEAR.

 

Further information about the driving conditions, location, and history of the area can be found at the following web sites:

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/HolyJimFalls_4472.asp

http://www.canyonlife.com/O'NeillPark.folder/KERRYWEB/falls.htm

 

Regards,

 

--- Mark Johnston

--- Mark@Pack580.com

--- Pack 580 Outings Chair