Escondido Falls is one of the best, though quite easy, hikes in Southern California. Every so often my wife and I go back. It’s close by, fairly flat, and not overcrowded. This last iteration was truly special. It was Little R’s first hike. I grew up outside, wandering the Appalachian Mountains of Central Pennsylvania – or at least the little slice I called home. Getting the little guy outside early to experience nature is a high priority of mine.
Escondido Falls was like I have never seen before – for two reasons. The area was in a drought each time I’ve been on this hike in the past. No water; the streams were dry and there was no water fall. Today was different and it was beautiful. We also saw some of the Woolsey Fire damage up close. So much vegetation has regrown, which shows the resilience of life. Seeing the charred tree trunks, however, was sobering. It’s only a matter of time until the next one, but it’s sad to see.
The little guy had a blast. He started off front facing on my torso, but ended up being more comfortable on my back. A little too comfy. About 15 minutes into the hike on my back, he dozed off; he rejoined us after a solid 45 minutes. He missed the waterfall, but I don’t think a 10 month old really cares too much about that as much as they care about experiencing new things. He clearly had a blast. He bounced and flailed his arms almost the entire time he was awake.
The hike itself is pretty easy. The hardest part is the walk to the trailhead. Once you get there, it’s pretty much a flat walk with quite a bit of tree cover to keep you shaded. It takes about 30-40 minutes one way to get to the falls. You need to cross four streams on your way, but the water is shallow and trial pioneers left rocks and logs laying across the streams to pass easily.
This is true with any hike, but take your time and enjoy the wilderness. So often we just hike on a path and watch our feet or look straight ahead at where the path is leading. I made a conscious effort to stop our crew and take in the mountains, trees, and wildlife at any point we could. In the time to come, you’ll remember seeing the bluejay darting from tree to tree, not the way the dust kicked from your boots on a worn out track of land.
The falls themselves are no Niagara, but when you live in a dry climate, just seeing water slowing tumble down the side of a cliff is refreshing. A lot of people climb the cliff to the east of the waterfall (your right as you approach), which isn’t too challenging and gives you a great view of the Santa Monica Mountains. With Little R on my back, that really wasn’t an option. My wife and I did it a few years ago, and it’s definitely worth it if you feel your fit enough to get to a high enough point.
A couple of tips. If going in the summer, go early or late, midday is hot and the trees don’t offer as much cover from the sun. Bring water and stay hydrated. It’s dog friendly, so bring your four legged friend, but don’t forget water for them. They’ll need it, too. And please keep them on their leash.
Stephen Michael 