Tenaja Falls

Today we decided to go see Tenaja Falls. Since it is only about 15 miles from our house, we decided to get in our usual 2 mile walk at the falls trails.  Also it was such a nice day, the short ride out to the trail head was sure to be beautiful.  As we crossed over the Cleveland National Forest Boundary, there were many desert flowers in bloom from the recent rains.  Here is one that I think is called a "Desert Candle".

Desert Candle

The road to the trail head is a one lane road.  You have to pull off the road in a turn-out of you see another car coming down the road.  Below is a video Elly made during our ride today, showing a good example of the narrowness of the road.  At the end of the video you can see one of the "turn-outs".

The views of the valley from the single lane road are spectacular, but the I couldn't enjoy the views too much because I had to keep my eyes on the very narrow and winding road!

Cleveland National Forest Valley

Some unlucky person, many years ago, must have been watching the scenery instead of the road. There was this old rusted out shell of a car over the side of the embankment.  This was the second car we saw in this same condition on this trip out to the falls.

Old Rusted Car down the Embankment

At the trail head, there is a small parking lot.  In order to park at the trail head, you must have a special High Impact Parking Permit.  If you get caught parking there without this permit, it is a $400 fine.  We have the permit. You can't see the falls from the trail head. It is a .7 mile walk uphill to the falls, of course it is .7 miles back downhill.  Here is a picture that Elly took of me on the trail.

 As you walk up the trail, the falls eventually come into view.  The first question everyone you pass on the trail  is "is there any water at the falls?"  Its been so dry this winter, there is a possibility that the falls would be dry!  As luck would have it, and thanks to the recent rain, there was water, but not a lot.  It was more like a small stream rather than a raging river!  Nevertheless, it was gorgeous and worth the trip.

Tenaja Falls from halfway up the trail