2026-Jan: Blackstar Canyon Falls after the rains-Starting New Year/Level 2/2+

Blackstar Canyon Falls will have some water after some rains the past days
Posting it here for you to meet the group hiking together. I will wait for more rains and repost in the future when having more water at the waterfall. It will take more time than a couple hours workout hike, so I will skip this time. Have a great workout and be safe. Bring gloves for the boulders scrambling the last part to the waterfall

>>Trailhead time: 8 AM

>>DURATION/DISTANCE/ELEVATION:
It is not a hard hike for distance and elevation, but dangerous with big boulders scrambling toward the waterfalls that takes time to go. KNOW YOUR LIMIT!

• Duration**: 4-6 hours
• Distance: 6+ miles RT out and back!
• Elevation 850+ft gain/loss
  More info: Black Star Canyon Falls Trail on AllTrails
  https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/black-star-canyon-trail?
• Last time we were there Mar 2023 FYI: https://www.meetup.com/hikingoc/events/291947734/

>>>General Rating/Difficulty: Levels 2/2+ to 3: a moderate or fast pace body workout hike for elevation, distance and pace, with scrambles to big boulders and crossing a river stream numbers of times

CLICK RATING TABLE to read more about skill levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating

About the hike: We first hike up Black Star Canyon Creek to the Base of the 80 ft Falls. It will be close to 2 miles up a fire road and then about a mile up the creek. You will climb boulders and cross the creek a few times. There is not a well-marker trail. The falls are protected by nature as there is an abundance of poison oak, some rock scrambling, and big boulders to climb with beautiful waterfalls on the way to the big one. The hike up the creek is what makes this an interesting, fun and a great body workout hike.

BRING:

Comfortable Hiking Boots you don't mind getting wet. Extra shoes and socks to leave in your car. Bring protective clothing for the poison oak. It can be avoided for the most part, but you more than likely will brush up against it at one point. Snacks, a light lunch, water and this is a place for photos, so camera/phone !

DIRECTIONS:

From I-5 going on El Toro turns into Santiago Canyon Road. Take Santiago Canyon Road about 5 miles north. Turn right on Silverado Canyon Road. Take the first left which is Black Star Canyon Road. Drive about one mile to the gate and park.

From the 55 take Chapman east. Keep going, it turns into Santiago Canyon rd. Go past Irvine Lake, hang a left on Silverado Canyon. Another left on Black Star Canyon. At the end is a large fire gate. This is where the trail starts.

REMINDERS:
By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
>>>YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
>>>YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
***Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks and snake bites. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***