Holy Jim Falls Hike – Orange County

Difficulty

Easy on good trail

Length

3 Miles Round Trip

time

1.5 Hours

Elevation Gain

700′

Summary

Easy hike to lovely 18′ waterfall in a beautiful mountain canyon, but a rough road to the trail head.

Holy Jim Falls is a well known hike and is suitable for beginning hikers. The fall is not spectacular at 18′ tall but has its own special charm and tranquil beauty, and the canyon is wonderful, especially when the water runs strongly.

Regrettably though, the only access is to drive 7 miles down Trabuco Creek Road, which is maintained gravel for the first five miles, but deteriorates dramatically at the Cleveland National Forest boundary, so the next two miles are very rough and high clearance vehicles are suggested. It can be done if you’re careful in a passenger car and people do it, but I would not recommend it, especially if you really like your car.

Most people don’t realize that the animal on the California State flag is a Grizzly Bear, which should be cause for contemplation as to our relationship with nature, since they have been extinct in California for many decades.

Note also that the Santa Ana Mountains were well known for the large number of grizzly bears that once roamed the range – apparently they really liked the terrain particularly well in these mountains – and the Native Americans here settled primarily in only certain canyons, like Black Star Canyon, where there were fewer bears.

Directions to Trailhead for Holy Jim Falls Hike

Now walk up canyon via the dirt road. Soon you will encounter some picturesque cabins that line the road, many of which are normally occupied.

After about 1 miles you will encounter a gate with another trail head sign. Proceed through the gate and then onto a good trail which winds through a lovely riparian forest.

From this point on you will feel a great sense of tranquility, joy, and communion with nature as you enjoy the path shaded by numerous oaks and maples, and the multiple crossings of the lovely sweet-voiced stream. This is a good trail for beginners because it becomes a bit more adventurous past the gate and is a good introduction to mountain hiking, but is also an enjoyable hike for any skill level. You will soon encounter a trail junction that is signed – the falls are straight ahead and the Holy Jim Trail to the left continues all the way up to Main Divide Road, and it is possible to reach the summit of 5684′ Santiago Peak that way. But that’s another adventure, so stay straight ahead to reach the falls.

Soon ahead and to the right you will see the tranquil grotto in which reside lovely Holy Jim Falls. The falls are not spectacular at 18′ or so, but the intimate fern-lined grotto has a lush semi-tropical ambiance that works a subtle magic on the over-civilized human psyche. Hopefully you will have the falls to yourself, as I did on this beautiful weekday afternoon, but in any event this is a good place to relax and enjoy the soothing voice of this diminutive yet soothing fall.

Video of Holy Jim Falls

Holy Jim Falls on 5/16/2014. Note that the 2013-2014 rainy season was exceptionally dry, and the flow in the falls was minimal, but this is always a joyous place.