SoCal Trail RunningSanta Monica Trail Runs

Escondido Falls

Escondido Falls is a short 4 mile, 700' gain, trail out to the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains. It's a crowded trail that's almost half road, and the waterfall is usually dry, but it's worth doing at least once.
The "trail" starts out along Winding Trail road heading past bazillion dollar, Malibu, movie star homes.
1 The "trail" starts out along Winding Trail road heading past bazillion dollar, Malibu, movie star homes.
This house has a tennis court, basketball court, and a batting cage. Must be nice.
2 This house has a tennis court, basketball court, and a batting cage. Must be nice.
Finally to the start of the singletrack about a mile in.
3 Finally to the start of the singletrack about a mile in.
Nice tree covered trail below the falls.
4 Nice tree covered trail below the falls.
Lower Escondido Falls. It's barely dripping today even after a few days of heavy rain.
5 Lower Escondido Falls. It's barely dripping today even after a few days of heavy rain.
To get to the bottom of the upper falls, you have to do some scrambling up "trail" that looks like this.
6 To get to the bottom of the upper falls, you have to do some scrambling up "trail" that looks like this.
Upper Escondido Falls. The full falls is 150' tall, making it the highest in the Santa Monica Mountains. If you look at pictures from a wet year, it's actually pretty impressive.
7 Upper Escondido Falls. The full falls is 150' tall, making it the highest in the Santa Monica Mountains. If you look at pictures from a wet year, it's actually pretty impressive.
View towards the ocean from the base of the upper falls.
8 View towards the ocean from the base of the upper falls.
There's a route to the top of the upper falls, but they clearly don't want people taking it.
9 There's a route to the top of the upper falls, but they clearly don't want people taking it.
Video of the trickling Escondido Falls.
10 Video of the trickling Escondido Falls.
Heading back down with some nice ocean views.
11 Heading back down with some nice ocean views.
 
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