It’s been awhile since I just posted a good ole’ fashioned lifestyle post.
I think Instagram ate my blog.
This makes me sad.
I will fix that.
One of my most favorite memories of the summer was hiking Holy Jim Falls in the Cleveland National Forest, out in Trabuco Canyon. The hike is doable with kids. We had all 4 of ours (ages 8, 6, 4 & 2) and the boys wore their flip flops with no trouble.
We got out to the trail early, before it was too hot.
It is quite a drive to the trailhead. It’s a rough road and you have to go slow! In fact, one of our friends says their car has never been the same since they drove that road. It took us about half an hour in our minivan to get to the parking lot.
Brad brought his camel back filled with water and a few snacks. It wasn’t easy, and there was quite a bit of complaining every so often on the way to the falls. But all in all the kids had a wonderful time!
On the way up we stopped often in the shade for quick rests and water. We stopped about three quarters from the top for a snack and we should have stopped to eat sooner… and we should have brought more snacks. They were so so so much better after eating!
The scenery on the hike is fantastic! You won’t feel like you are in Orange County.
Doesn’t being in nature just make you crave more time in nature.
Doesn’t it make you want to buy poperty and just live off the land?
Oh, that’s just me?
Ha!
The children named this the “wave of sticks!” I love to see the world through their eyes!
What a privilege it is to be a parent!
Don’t ya think?
We let the kids explore quite a bit off the trail. As much as I wanted to power through the hike and get a workout, I wanted more for them to love this adventure.
There are 4 trail stops on the way and we all had fun learning about the actual man, Jim, the trail is named after. He kept bees in the canyon and I think I want to too!
(I’m only getting more eccentric folks when it comes to ecology type things. Get ready as I start to share more soon!)
Of course, when you take a hike and it gets tough… remember the way back is always easier! I’m so glad we pushed though to the “falls,” because now we can say, we’ve done it!
I know you want to see a picture of the actual falls. But how could I ruin the surprise? You need to discover this with your family on your own.
Spoiler Alert: The “Falls” are just a trickle in the summer. Try to go after the next good rain in So Cal (hahahahahaha).
Things you should know if you go: Holy Jim Falls
- From the main road (Live Oak Canyon Rd) you’ll turn onto a dirt road next to Trabuco Creek, then you’ll take the dirt/gravel road about 4.5 miles to the trailhead. Keep an eye on your mileage, because about two miles in there is a rest stop type area with a porta potty and since you are going so darn slow you might think you are at the trailhead already!
- Bring more than one snack! We should have done a whole lunch. It would also be fun to bring a short book to read at picnic rock or the falls. What a special memory for the kiddos… reading in the forest!
- The way back is much easier than the way up! This is a great time to encourage your kids during a challenging situation. Pushing toward a goal. It would be a lot of fun to claim this verse before the hike, then have a prize at the end. Maybe cookies secretly waiting in the car! “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b-14
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Olivia Taylor says
This looks like so much fun! How long was the hike?