Nestled deep in Cleveland National Forest, the Chiquito Trail takes you away from the crowds visiting the popular San Juan Falls to a waterfall hidden in a secluded canyon up in hills, Chiquito Falls. To get there you have to hike up a moderate climb, but as with most climbs, you're rewarded with great views. The hike to Chiquito Falls is great for the hiker who's done the popular trails and now wants something a little different without the bigger crowds (like nearby Sitton Peak).
In this Guide:
Video and Turn by Turn Directions for the Chiquito Falls Trail
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Nestled deep in Cleveland National Forest, the Chiquito Trail takes you away from the crowds visiting the popular San Juan Falls to a waterfall hidden in a secluded canyon up in hills, Chiquito Falls. To get there you have to hike up a moderate climb, but as with most climbs, you're rewarded with great views. The hike to Chiquito Falls is great for the hiker who's done the popular trails and now wants something a little different without the bigger crowds (like nearby Sitton Peak).
Spoiler alert: "chiquito" means small or tiny in Spanish, so don't expect a Niagara Falls experience. Regardless, Chiquito Falls is a lovely spot.
You need to display a National Parks Pass or Adventure Pass to park here. I highly recommend investing in the National Parks Pass, which allows you free entry at all federal lands and attractions, of which this is one.
The parking lot is big but does fill up as it's used for a few different hikes.There's a water pump in the parking lot.And primitive toilets are available.
Gear for the Hike
This is a proper backcountry hike and you should prepare accordingly.
You'll need good hiking footwear for the trail, which is rocky in places. When there's water flowing, you have a couple of small streams to hop across and you might get wet feet.
In the summer or warmer days this hike can be brutally hot and buggy. Try to do it when it's cooler out and bring insect repellant just in case.
Generally 2L of water is good, but if it's hot, I'd bring more.
Trekking poles will help on the climb, descent, and potential stream crossings.
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Overall, for such a remote trail, the Chiquito Trail is maintained and in good shape. The trail is also used by mountain bikers, and probably gets more traffic than you'd imagine.
Some sections of the trail are very rocky, but there's nothing this rocky for any extended distance.Although the trail is fairly remote, you'll might see evidence of active trail work along the route.
Here's the one-way elevation profile to the falls. After dipping down on the San Juan Loop, you have a short flat section on the Chiquito Trail, and then it heads uphill. Toward the end it's rolling. The ups and downs tend to sap my strength a little quicker than the straight uphill and downhill.
3d Map
You dip down in the canyon to San Juan Creek from the parking area, then climb up and around the ridge into Lion Canyon and the falls. The green line is the Riverside and Orange County line.
Look for the San Juan Loop Trail board in the corner of the parking lot and start the hike from there.Right away you're treated to a nice single-track trail. The no dog poop sign is because of the crowds of non-hikers that often do the short hike to San Juan Falls.A gentle climb brings you out of the brush and you get nice views up Decker Canyon.Soon you'll approach San Juan (or Ortega) Falls. Avoid the side trail down to the falls unless you want to explore. If it's a busy time, expect lots of crowds up to this point.After the side trail there's a nice viewing area for the falls, which are below.When there's water around, these falls flow nicely. When not, you see something like this.Keep hiking on the San Juan Loop. After a short while you'll get a nice downhill as you head down towards San Juan Creek.You'll see nice markers like this one on the San Juan Loop Trail, which is popular with non-hikers. Here the trail reaches the creek. Keep to the left.When the trail meets San Juan Creek, keep to the left. When there's water flowing, this move is obvious. When the creek is dry, it can be mistaken for a trail.When you get to this junction for the Chiquito Trail, make the right.
Chiquito Falls is named after Kenneth Munhall's horse. Munhall was a ranger here in the early days of the forest, and used to man the fire tower on Santiago Peak in the 1920s. Yup, there used to be a fire tower on Santiago Peak.
Here's the sign at that last junction.Right away you'll have to pop over San Juan Creek. There's no water in it on this day, but it does flow at other times.There's some rolling and flat terrain as you hike along a tributary of the creek.The trail crosses the tributary to the left. There can be water flowing here too.From here on out, you'll be mostly climbing. Although there are exposed sections that get very hot, there are stretches of shade.As you climb you'll start to get some nice views into the canyon you were just in and towards the hills in Cleveland NF.There are some shady spots like this. There's even moss growing on the rock!As you hike uphill, don't forget to turn around and take in the views. On a crisp, clear day you can even see to the western peaks of the San Bernardino National Forest. I think this is San Bernardino Peak and Anderson Peak in the distance, covered in snow.And ahead of you Sitton Peak comes into view.There are some really rocky sections on this section, but no technical scrambling.Keep your eyes open for this sweet viewpoint as you climb.When you get up to around 2600 feet the trail levels off with intermittent uphills and wraps around the hillside toward Lion Canyon.Once you wind around the hill and head up Lion Canyon, keep your eyes open for Santiago Peak peaking out above the ridge.There's a sweet dispersed camping area here on the left. I haven't camped there (yet...).Keep your eyes open down to the left in the canyon as you hike. The trail starts to head downhill and you'll catch a glimpse of the falls.At the bottom of the downhill, make this hard left. If you go right and keep going, it'll be a long, long day for you.Here you are, the tiny Chiquito Falls! Hopefully when you visit there will be some water. Even without water, it's still a nice place to visit.
Here's what the falls look like when they're flowing.
You can take the use trail down to the bottom of the falls to check it all out.Snow! Two days before I did this hike it had snowed in Cleveland NF, but I didn't realize it was down at this low elevation.
When you're done at the falls, just go back the way you came. I generally take the right when I get back to the San Juan Loop Trail and hike the other half of the loop back to the start. It's not as rocky, a little more shady, and something different to see.
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Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!).