Eagle Rock Hike on the PCT (San Diego)

6.5 miles - Easy Effort
2:30-3:30 Hours (Total)
990 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 3,538 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Eagle Rock hike, near San Diego in Warner Springs, is an easy adventure on the legendary PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). You'll meander up a babbling brook in the shade of oaks, and then cross grasslands offering views of San Diego County's high points. At the end, you are treated to Eagle Rock, perched on a hillside and overlooking this remote area. Overall Eagle Rock is a great hike with lots of payoff for not much effort.

In this Guide:

Eagle Rock Hike Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions
Where to Park for the Eagle Rock Hike in San Diego County
Insider Tips and Recommendations

Quick Links: Vista Irrigation District - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Sep 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is the Eagle Rock Hike?

First of all, there are dozens of Eagle Rocks, with a few being in Southern California, so make sure you are going to the one in Warner Springs, CA. Warner Springs is pretty remote, and the services are limited. Use this trailhead address:
31049 CA-79, Warner Springs, CA 92086

You are going to park across the street from the Cal Fire station on the side of the road. Don't park at the fire station or block their driveways. You might be saying "duh!" but after talking to some firefighters there, you'd be surprised at the dumb stuff that goes on with people parking.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 3 — Here's the fire station, park across the street from it.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 1 — There's a wide dirt shoulder where you can park. When it's empty like in this shot, you can park parallel with the road. When it's busy, park head in.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 2 — The parking area ends at the PCT sign on the southern end of the lot. If this area is full, drive down the road in this direction for a minute and there's another big parking area on the shoulder.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead or on the trail.

The land you are hiking on is mostly owned by the Vista Water District's Lake Henshaw area. It's not a public park, but you are permitted to hike here on the PCT.

Gear for the Hike

This is a mellow hike and there isn't too much that's technically challenging. In the summer, it can get hot and buggy, so prepare accordingly with insect repellant and at least 1L of water. And you might not realize it, but the trailhead is at over 3,000 feet, and it can get cold. On the day that I shot the photos for this guide, it was 25F when I started at the trailhead.

My Latest Gear Picks

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork Poles ( REI | Amazon )

As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My September 2023 Top Gear Picks

Eagle Rock via the PCT Trail Maps

There's nothing too tricky about this hike. You start on the PCT and you end on the PCT. One thing you might notice is that the actual trail (as documented in the map and GPX file below) doesn't always fall nicely on the official trail line for the PCT. My guess is that the official trail line has been simplified and smoothed a bit.

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

Pct Sign On Eagle Creek Hike — There are a fair number of PCT markers along the trail. You'll be on the PCT for the whole hike.

Elevation Profile

Eagle Rock Pct Elevation — This one-way elevation profile is a little deceiving. The hike is generally uphill with some rolling terrain, but the distance makes all of the uphill sections seem very gradual and tame.

3d Map

Eagle Rock (San Diego) Hike Directions

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Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 4 — The hike starts at this livestock gate, just south of the Cal Fire station, across the street from the parking area.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 5 — Head through the gate and make sure that you close it all the way.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 6 — The very start can be a little confusing. Just go straight on the big trail, ignoring the PCT sign on the right.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 7 — In a minute you'll merge onto the PCT proper by heading left.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 8 — You'll hike through the tall oaks along Cañada Verde and will pass some PCT markers.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 9 — Head through the next gate and go straight, avoiding the trail to the left.

This area is a popular spot for PCT hikers to camp. The trail to the left in the last photo heads to the post office where PCT thru-hikers often resupply. If you want to learn more about the PCT, visit their website and watch the popular Darwin on the Trail videos documenting what hiking the whole thing is like.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 10 — Head through the last gate on the way to Eagle Rock.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 11 — You'll likely see small side trails to the creek or to camping sites. Stay on the main trail, which is always easy to spot.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 12 — Hike up along peaceful Cañada Verde Creek and enjoy the shade.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 13 — You'll see a few nice resting and camping areas on the side of the trail along this stretch.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 14 — The trail veers away from Cañada Verde and heads uphill.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 15 — To your left in the distance is Hot Springs Mountain, the highest point in San Diego County at 6,535 feet.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 16 — And behind you is High Point and the Palomar Observatory, which is the white dome peeking above the ridge.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 17 — When you get to the junction with the old dirt road, hike straight through.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 18 — As you crest the ridge you'll get nice views into San Jose del Valle, once all part of Warner Ranch. From here you have a little downhill stretch.

Warner Springs has an interesting history. If that's your thing, read about it in my guide to the nearby Oak Grove Trail.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 19 — The trail winds around some boulders and trees before heading into the grasslands.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 20 — As the trail starts to head uphill again, stay straight on the main trail. Avoiding the trail to the right. When you come back, make sure you don't hike down to the right. This turn, in reverse, sometimes gets missed.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 21 — From here on out you'll be rolling over the grasslands on the well-defined PCT.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 22 — You'll be sharing the trail with grazing cattle. They generally will move away if on the trail.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 23 — The trail starts to climb up toward a series of boulders. You can't see Eagle Rock from here.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 24 — Hike up the first path to the left and head to the other side of the boulders.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 25 — From here you get great views of Eagle Rock. It really does look like an eagle. No imagination required.

Please do not climb on Eagle Rock. The rock has cracks and at some point will break. Don't be the one makes the news because you destroyed this special place for a photo.

Eagle Rock Pct Hike Directions 26 — From Eagle Rock, just go back the way you came. The views are great on the hike back so enjoy!

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
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!).

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