Chiquito Falls and San Juan Loop in Cleveland National Forest, CA

Hike Chiquito Falls and San Juan Loop Cleveland National Forest, CA

Class 1 8.6 miles 1600 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Dec 5, 2017
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Chiquito Falls and San Juan Loop GPX Track

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I visited Chiquito Falls years ago and there was no water flowing, so I wanted to go back and try again. Still no luck. Fortunately this is a nice hike through SoCal scrub on a good trail, so I wasn't too upset. The hike starts out on a smaller San Juan Loop. I went the northern part of the loop first, paralleling San Juan Creek (dry during my visit), which included nice foliage and a relatively flat walk. I met with the Chiquito Falls Trail junction and followed it north. The trail has some great views of the surrounding hills and eventually leads to Chiquito Falls. On the way back, I completed the San Juan Loop by heading around its southern half. Overall a nice hike in the Santa Ana Mountains.

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Along the northern side of the San Juan Loop.
Along the northern side of the San Juan Loop.
San Juan Creek on the right.
San Juan Creek on the right.
Looking into San Juan Creek.
Looking into San Juan Creek.
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Junction with the Chiquito Trail.
Junction with the Chiquito Trail.
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Heading up the canyon before ascending.
Heading up the canyon before ascending.
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The trail basically ascends for a while before leveling out and following the mountainside until reaching Chiquito Falls.
The trail basically ascends for a while before leveling out and following the mountainside until reaching Chiquito Falls.
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Approaching Chiquito Falls.
Approaching Chiquito Falls.
Chiquito Falls.
Chiquito Falls.
Chiquito Falls.
Chiquito Falls.
Back at the San Juan Loop, continuing on the southern side.
Back at the San Juan Loop, continuing on the southern side.
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San Juan Loop leads back to the trailhead, with one last nice view.
San Juan Loop leads back to the trailhead, with one last nice view.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!