Eagle Peak and Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest, CA

Hike Eagle Peak and Three Sisters Falls Cleveland National Forest, CA

Class 2 7.9 miles 2400 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back May 15, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I hiked down to Three Sisters Falls three years ago, but I didn't take lots of photos, and I also wanted to see the newly renovated trail. Until a few months ago, there was a heavily-eroded sandy section to reach the bottom of the falls, but an easy trail has replaced this, and now access is a lot easier. I also wanted to revisit this area because I learned of Eagle Peak, a nice little summit overlooking Boulder Creek (the creek housing Three Sisters). So, from the trailhead, hike along the forest road until the obvious trail leading to Three Sisters Falls splits off to the left. Continue straight rather than going down the official trail, where a social trail leads up to the summit of Eagle Peak. There are some nice rocky sections, and the summit views are really nice.

I went back down an continued to Three Sisters Falls, where it was still early enough (and a Tuesday) that fewer people were there than my last visit, but there were still lots of other visitors jumping into the highest of the three falls. Though, unbelieveably, there is a lot less human impact than I would have expected, glad to see people take care of this place! I did a quick Class 3 move to get over the highest fall and explored a bit past into Boulder Creek. Apparently this could be a fun canyoneering route – next time!

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Eagle Peak
3226 ft
506 rise

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Starting out along a forest road, Eagle Peak in the center.
Starting out along a forest road, Eagle Peak in the center.
Image 1 from gallery
Approaching the junction with the Three Sisters Trail on the left. The Eagle Peak Trail heads straight.
Approaching the junction with the Three Sisters Trail on the left. The Eagle Peak Trail heads straight.
Headed to Eagle Peak on a social trail, looking back. You can see the forest road you came in on the left. Cuyamaca Peak right-center.
Headed to Eagle Peak on a social trail, looking back. You can see the forest road you came in on the left. Cuyamaca Peak right-center.
Image 4 from gallery
Looking back along the social trail.
Looking back along the social trail.
Close-up looking into Boulder Creek. You can see the top of Three Sisters Falls on the far right.
Close-up looking into Boulder Creek. You can see the top of Three Sisters Falls on the far right.
Continuing up to Eagle Peak.
Continuing up to Eagle Peak.
Looking back while ascending Eagle Peak.
Looking back while ascending Eagle Peak.
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
Almost at the Eagle Peak summit, looking back toward Boulder Creek (right).
Almost at the Eagle Peak summit, looking back toward Boulder Creek (right).
Eagle Peak ahead.
Eagle Peak ahead.
Eagle Peak summit, looking
Eagle Peak summit, looking
Back at the junction, headed along the Three Sisters Falls Trail.
Back at the junction, headed along the Three Sisters Falls Trail.
Image 15 from gallery
Along the Three Sisters Falls Trail. You can see Eagle Peak poking out on the right.
Along the Three Sisters Falls Trail. You can see Eagle Peak poking out on the right.
Three Sisters Falls ahead. The trail winds around the side of the mountain and lands you right at the falls.
Three Sisters Falls ahead. The trail winds around the side of the mountain and lands you right at the falls.
Approaching the canyon where Three Sisters Falls hangs out.
Approaching the canyon where Three Sisters Falls hangs out.
Looking back the way I came, Eagle Peak in the center.
Looking back the way I came, Eagle Peak in the center.
Approaching Three Sisters Falls.
Approaching Three Sisters Falls.
Image 21 from gallery
Second of the Three Sisters.
Second of the Three Sisters.
Image 23 from gallery
Image 24 from gallery
Image 25 from gallery
Looking back toward the first of the Three Sisters, second is directly behind me. You can see the eroded mess in the center of where the old trail was before they carved the new one.
Looking back toward the first of the Three Sisters, second is directly behind me. You can see the eroded mess in the center of where the old trail was before they carved the new one.
Continuing up Class 2 to get to the third falls.
Continuing up Class 2 to get to the third falls.
Third falls. you can pull a mini Class 3 move to get up and over on the right.
Third falls. you can pull a mini Class 3 move to get up and over on the right.
Above the third sister.
Above the third sister.
Looking down Three Sisters Falls from the top of third sister.
Looking down Three Sisters Falls from the top of third sister.
Looking up Boulder Creek. I'll come back eventually and hopefully do this as a technical canyon.
Looking up Boulder Creek. I'll come back eventually and hopefully do this as a technical canyon.
2015 visit: Three Sisters Falls in the middle.
2015 visit: Three Sisters Falls in the middle.
2015 visit: Along the creek leading to the falls.
2015 visit: Along the creek leading to the falls.
2015 visit: The first set of falls.
2015 visit: The first set of falls.
2015 visit: Upper Falls.
2015 visit: Upper Falls.

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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!