SoCal Trail RunningHikesSanta Anas

Lost Falls II

1/26/22  A second attempt at finding Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls, better known as Lost Falls. This time... success! Possibly the first photo of the full falls from this vista spot in many years.
Heading back down the creek bed to find the ridge trail.
1 Heading back down the creek bed to find the ridge trail.
 This time we're able to find the obscure trail and make it up to the ridge.
2 This time we're able to find the obscure trail and make it up to the ridge.
 Heading out along the ridge.
3 Heading out along the ridge.
 The ridge is an awesome trail, followable but rough and overgrown, just how we like it.
4 The ridge is an awesome trail, followable but rough and overgrown, just how we like it.
Things get a little rocky in places.
5 Things get a little rocky in places.
 Just a little bit of scrambling along the way.
6 Just a little bit of scrambling along the way.
 After going up and down multiple hills along the ridge, we finally get to the spot where the trail dives straight downhill into the canyon. Here we get the first view of the cascading falls to the left of Hot Spring Canyon Falls.
7 After going up and down multiple hills along the ridge, we finally get to the spot where the trail dives straight downhill into the canyon. Here we get the first view of the cascading falls to the left of Hot Spring Canyon Falls.
 And our first glimpse of the top of the mythical Lost Falls.
8 And our first glimpse of the top of the mythical Lost Falls.
The trail starts to get really steep and dicey from here on out. Dad decides to wait for a bit while I continue on and try to get a little fuller view of the falls.
9 The trail starts to get really steep and dicey from here on out. Dad decides to wait for a bit while I continue on and try to get a little fuller view of the falls.
 I follow the remnants of a use trail that's incredibly steep and loose. But you can gradually see more and more of the falls. It's tantalizing, making you want to keep going just a little further to see more.
10 I follow the remnants of a use trail that's incredibly steep and loose. But you can gradually see more and more of the falls. It's tantalizing, making you want to keep going just a little further to see more.
 The view of the falls actually disappears for a little while, which is disheartening. But finally it comes back in full force. I believe this is the spot where others had stopped recently. So close to a full view, but not quite. The rough use trail ends here, and then becomes a complete free-for-all straight down the side of the canyon. But I can't stop so close! The next section was definitely one of the gnarliest adventures I've been on in a while.
11 The view of the falls actually disappears for a little while, which is disheartening. But finally it comes back in full force. I believe this is the spot where others had stopped recently. So close to a full view, but not quite. The rough use trail ends here, and then becomes a complete free-for-all straight down the side of the canyon. But I can't stop so close! The next section was definitely one of the gnarliest adventures I've been on in a while.
 But the payoff was the full height view of Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls, including the pool at the bottom. The Lost Falls has been found! Although canyoneers rappel down the canyon and have seen the falls from that vantage point, this may very well be the first time in a long, long time that anyone has photographed the falls from this spot.
12 But the payoff was the full height view of Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls, including the pool at the bottom. The Lost Falls has been found! Although canyoneers rappel down the canyon and have seen the falls from that vantage point, this may very well be the first time in a long, long time that anyone has photographed the falls from this spot.
A zoomed-in view of the falls. It seems a lot bigger than 140'. It must be spectacular after a big rain.
13 A zoomed-in view of the falls. It seems a lot bigger than 140'. It must be spectacular after a big rain.
 A short video of the falls. There's a nice little clearing, with a large pointed rock that has some red coloring. It's a perfect marker for the vista.
14 A short video of the falls. There's a nice little clearing, with a large pointed rock that has some red coloring. It's a perfect marker for the vista.
 A look at the adjacent cascades from the vista point. The return trip up the slope wasn't easy. Steep and very easy to get lost. Fortunately I had remembered a couple of distinct plants to use as waypoints.
15 A look at the adjacent cascades from the vista point. The return trip up the slope wasn't easy. Steep and very easy to get lost. Fortunately I had remembered a couple of distinct plants to use as waypoints.
 I made it back to Dad just as he was starting to call out for me. I was glad to hear his voice to know I was heading in the right direction! Now time to head back along the ridge.
16 I made it back to Dad just as he was starting to call out for me. I was glad to hear his voice to know I was heading in the right direction! Now time to head back along the ridge.
A quick lunch break. Hmm, I can't seem to find this trail on the map...
17 A quick lunch break. Hmm, I can't seem to find this trail on the map...
 End of the ridge and time to drop back down to the creek bed.
18 End of the ridge and time to drop back down to the creek bed.
 Heading back up the creek bed. End to a very memorable adventure. And it was even acknowledged by the famous Ken Croker who quite literally wrote the book on this area. It sounds like I may have been the first to reach the Lost Falls vista point since he photographed it some 30 years ago!
19 Heading back up the creek bed. End to a very memorable adventure. And it was even acknowledged by the famous Ken Croker who quite literally wrote the book on this area. It sounds like I may have been the first to reach the Lost Falls vista point since he photographed it some 30 years ago!
  
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