Tag Archives: Chasing Waterfalls

Three Sisters Falls

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CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST

NEAR JULIAN

Activity: Day Hike, Chasing Waterfalls

4.5 miles, 985′ elevation gain, 2.5 duration, rated Moderate

The drive into the area is fantastic with all the rugged hills. The last bit of the drive is 5 miles back into the bush, down a bumpy, dusty road that is 4×4 recommended with some washboard and a couple rough areas, but most cars could probably make the journey. That being said, you would mostly likely not want to bring your luxury car there.  You will need an Adventurers Pass or other acceptable pass for the National Forest.

The trail is rock and dirt twisting through the landscape providing nice views of the terrain and far off glimpses of the waterfall.

Upon arrival to the Three Sisters Falls there are three tiers of the falls with little pools collecting at each. I climbed a rope up to the top tier. You could scramble up this area, but the rope makes it much faster and much more doable. Then I made my way across a little smooth rock section that is steeply sloped toward death to a spot that you need hand holds and there are few.  It’s really isn’t that bad, but you certainly want to take heed and this feat is definitely is not for everyone. 

Once on top there is a delightful pool, the best of the three.  I was fortunate in that some teens were most helpful, yelling down instructions where and how to come up. They had braved the chilly heart attack water and were attempting to warm back up stretched out on the sun heated rock. During the Spring time the temperature dips into the low 40’s at night. The teens informed me the deepest spot was about 20 feet. In the summer I believe people jump of a rock that was probably a little less than that height, but you would have to hit just the right spot.

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Three Sisters Falls
“Waterfalls are magical.
When you sit beside one,
you take its solace into yourself,
and it becomes you.
You are tranquil.
You are vapor in the wind.”
-Adventure Dragon.

Thanks for joining me on this fun hike in the San Diego County backcountry, as I was ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. Waterfalls even when they are not flowing furiously like in Oregon, are always relaxing and regenerating- just what is needed to rekindle the spirit, and that my friends is what PBTA is all about. There is always much more to come so I invite you to stick with me for more adventure by a few easy tasks: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu you above is set up by location and sometimes by activity, each is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. If you like my hat and shirt you can purchase them at SHOP APPAREL, my line of Adventure Wear is top quality and boldly carries the PBTA Logo and Mantra. I hope that you are enthused enough to start planning your own adventure in nature real soon.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursing Balance Through Adventure

Penasquitos Falls Loop via Carmel Valley

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Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

Activity: Day Hike, Chasing Waterfalls

5 miles, 550 elevation gain, 3 hour duration, rated Moderate

Date: May 6, 2021

This hike descends into a canyon rather steeply and there are loose rocks, so watch your footing. When you’re on top there are houses and power lines, all the things you are trying to get a break from.  Once you drop down into the canyon you gain much more of that natural ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ feel that you’re looking for with oaks, hills, streams and a quaint waterfall that’s so scenic that it it appears it could be the model for an A List Celebrities’ backyard.   It has several drops to it, but it is not very tall.  What Penasquitos Creek Falls lacks in stature it makes up for in South West ambiance.

San Diego’s Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve boasts varied habitats chaparral, marsh, grassland, and woodland.

While I was making my way along the trail, I caught a glimpse of a dark figure stretching it’s neck and eyeing me. It stayed as still as a grave not moving a muscle.  I snapped a pic of what I thought was a coyote while others are saying a dog. But to me the ears and the sharp snout and the slightness of it’s frame and shoulders. I thought it was a coyote. Also it was on it’s own and quite skittish. If I stayed still it would have continued be motionless, but when I took that first step In that direction it vanished like a ghost not down the trail, rather into the underbrush and without the slightest sound.  Like many SoCal trails there was plenty of scat to indicate a healthy and thriving coyote community, so I still say coyote.

Dog or Coyote?
It’s all water over the falls.  
Waterfalls need to be seen in motion. Click the pic to go to the PBTA YouTube Channel

Thanks for joining me on this fun hike into Penasquitos Canyon Preserve where the sound of rushing water tumbling over rock just sort of puts everything back together and really puts one at ease. For more mending experiences in nature stay with me by doing a couple of very simple things: LIKE, COMMENT, FOLLOW and SHARE. The menu above shows many wonderful spots throughout the West that PBTA chases that equilibrium that we all need. The escape we desire from the mundane and the monotonous, as well as the Helter Skelter of modern life. Each location is a separate Website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Click this link: SHOP APPAREL for top adventure gear from PBTA. Each piece carries the logo and mantra.

Happy Trails-

Roger Jenkins

Pursuing Balance Through Adventure