Hiking Waterfalls Southern California by Elizabeth Thomas & Justin Lichter

Author:Elizabeth Thomas & Justin Lichter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Falcon Guides
Published: 2019-09-03T00:00:00+00:00

The Hike

The Forest Service takes great efforts to maintain this popular swimming hole and waterfall by removing graffiti and trash to keep it a pristine and fun place to visit. As a guidebook reader, chances are you are far more responsible than many Aztec Falls weekend visitors. As such, we ask when you visit, please consider bringing along an extra trash bag (and maybe a set of gloves) to make this place better for the next visitor. The parking lot has been known for vandalism.

Start at the Splinters Cabin parking lot on a well-defined trail—with the knowledge it won’t always be nice trail. A set of hiking poles comes in handy at the end. Although we’re headed to a waterfall, it can get very hot during the summer, which is why we advise doing this hike in the spring or fall. Don’t worry: Even in December we found it to be plenty hot for swimming.

Follow signs for the PCT. About 500 feet in, you ford a small creek. Here there are two well-defined trails up to the PCT, depending on water levels. After 0.25 mile you reach the expansive Deep Creek high bridge. There are numerous signs and markers here for the PCT.

Do not cross the bridge. Instead, continue to follow the PCT north on the same slope you’ve been walking, contouring the mountainside high above Deep Creek. Like most of the PCT, it is well graded and well defined. However, watch your step, as the drop-off on the right side can at times feel exposed. Farther up the trail, at least one noted PCT hiker has fallen off and perished.

Follow the PCT for 0.5 mile from the trailhead. Keep your eyes peeled for a white spray-painted arrow on a boulder on the left side of the trail. It appears as the trail makes a minor turn toward the left. When we scouted here in December 2018, there was webbing tied to a tree on the right side of the trail. Avoid the use trail you see here: The wide, steep, and rooty social trail goes down toward Deep Creek way above the falls. We learned the hard way this path goes too far upstream to get a great view of the waterfall or to safely access the swimming hole.

Instead, stay on the PCT for about 50 more feet. Here you find a less obvious use trail contouring below the PCT for about 50 feet before switching back. Like many of the use trails to waterfalls, this “trail” is quite steep and loose and isn’t recommended for small children, dogs, or those uncomfortable on uneven ground.

After descending about 200 vertical feet in almost as many horizontal feet, you’re at the base of the waterfall and its swimming pool–sized plunge pool. The falls itself is 30 feet tall and nestled between rock walls.

Aztec Falls has multiple deep swimming holes and can attract a party crowd on warm days.

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