San Diego: PCT to Kitchen Creek Falls

San Diego: PCT to Kitchen Creek Falls

Hike a chaparral-covered slope in Cleveland National Forest to a view of Mexico. Then cool off at the falls, a series of cascades and swimming holes alongside smooth granite boulders.

Author:	Backpacker Magazine
Date:	6 Nov 2006 5:19:01 PM
Activity:	Hiking ActivitySearchHiking
State:	California (CA)
Distance:	14.74 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 5619 ft Total Loss: 3627 ft Net Change: 1992 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	San Diego, Pine Valley, Hiking, California, Cleveland National Forest
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

TO TRAILHEAD: I-8 east to Buckman Springs Rd. exit. Right at end of exit. Left at stop sign onto Old Hwy. 80. Park 2.3 miles down road on right. (Adventure Pass required. 619-445-6235)

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

KCF01

Dist: 2.51 mi	Points: 1136	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

PCT to Kitchen Creek Falls

KCF02

Dist: 4.85 mi	Points: 1845	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

PCT to Kitchen Creek Falls

Points of Interest

KCF001

Location: 32.731926°, -116.483414°
Cross road to Pacific Crest Trail marker, head L

KCF002

Location: 32.728462°, -116.474449°
L @ 3-way uphill

KCF003

Location: 32.747669°, -116.451195°
Straight @ 4-way with paved Kitchen Creek Rd.

KCF004

Location: 32.771591°, -116.438980°
Straight @ 4-way with Fred Canyon Rd.

KCF005

Location: 32.780693°, -116.437515°
Ridge Top and turnaround spot. The farthest hills to the SE are in Mexico, 20 mi. away

KCF006

Location: 32.740898°, -116.465508°
R @ 3-way onto unmarked trail to falls; straight to return to car (to hike directly to falls from trailhead, turn L here @ 1.99 mi.)

KCF007

Location: 32.742531°, -116.465439°
L @ 3-way downstream

KCF008

Location: 32.742996°, -116.466187°
Top of falls area; L to scramble to view of the big falls, a 40-ft. drop into a series of pools; R to swimming hole