Author: Donny Mac (ID: 16079) Posted: 2013-02-07 07:33 GMT+00:00 Mileage: 12.83 km
Tags: Travel, Photography, Good Food, Hiking, Landscape, California, Riverside County, Santa Ana Mountains, Cleveland National Forest, San Mateo Wilderness, Elsinore Mountains High Point, Tenaja Falls
Views: 12367
Yet another "peak bagged" by the "Mountain Maulers". We got a late start on the trail to drop off a vehicle at the other end of our hike and the road was a slow going washboard one lane mountain road most of the way. Once we finally got on the trail we started chugging up our ascent to Elsinore Mountains High Point.
After reaching the EMHP we stopped for a short lunch break and then began our long descent down to Tenaja Fall. At first the trail was quite obvious, but once we reached the cutoff the trail got narrower, steeper and more overgrown as we went. After much descending effort, we finally made it to Tenaja Trail and the going was much easier.
Tenaja Trail is an old road grade long overgrown since becoming an official wilderness area. We skirted the Potrero de la Cienega Land Grant dating back to the days before California became part of the United States. Further down the trail we could here the tinkling of the creek hundreds of feet below in the tranquil San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.
Once we reached Tenaja falls we took another short break for a snack and some more photos. Unfortunately this area is a short hike from the isolated backroad, so the falls have been scarred with graffiti and broken beer bottles. Some folks just don't get it.
After our break we had our first siting of other humans. A few guys were scrambling around on the rocks below the falls and later down the trail we ran into a couple of ladies and their small dogs.
All in all another good day hike and another "peak bagged"!
Google Translation Yet another "peak bagged" by the "Mountain Maulers". We got a late start on the trail to drop off a vehicle at the other end of our hike and the road was a slow going washboard one lane mountain road most of the way. Once we finally got on the trail we started chugging up our ascent to Elsinore Mountains High Point.
After reaching the EMHP we stopped for a short lunch break and then began our long descent down to Tenaja Fall. At first the trail was quite obvious, but once we reached the cutoff the trail got narrower, steeper and more overgrown as we went. After much descending effort, we finally made it to Tenaja Trail and the going was much easier.
Tenaja Trail is an old road grade long overgrown since becoming an official wilderness area. We skirted the Potrero de la Cienega Land Grant dating back to the days before California became part of the United States. Further down the trail we could here the tinkling of the creek hundreds of feet below in the tranquil San Mateo Canyon Wilderness.
Once we reached Tenaja falls we took another short break for a snack and some more photos. Unfortunately this area is a short hike from the isolated backroad, so the falls have been scarred with graffiti and broken beer bottles. Some folks just don't get it.
After our break we had our first siting of other humans. A few guys were scrambling around on the rocks below the falls and later down the trail we ran into a couple of ladies and their small dogs.
All in all another good day hike and another "peak bagged"!
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Looking back to the trailhead.
Google Translation Looking back to the trailhead.
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Charlie and James early stop to remove my jacket.
Google Translation Charlie and James early stop to remove my jacket.
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Me at the early part of the ascent.
Google Translation Me at the early part of the ascent.
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Potrero de la Cienega is a land grant going back before California became part of the United States.
Google Translation Potrero de la Cienega is a land grant going back before California became part of the United States.
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Lunch.
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The Wolfman and Charlie enjoying the lunch break.
Google Translation The Wolfman and Charlie enjoying the lunch break.
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Looking down on the snackers from Elsinore Mountains High Point.
Google Translation Looking down on the snackers from Elsinore Mountains High Point.
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Lake Elsinore is barely visible from Elsinore Mountains High Point.
Google Translation Lake Elsinore is barely visible from Elsinore Mountains High Point.
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Wolfey on the tippy-top.
Google Translation Wolfey on the tippy-top.
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The Hoffman checking out the registry. Disregard the San Mateo 4000 ft sign, it is completely bogus in name and elevation.
Google Translation The Hoffman checking out the registry. Disregard the San Mateo 4000 ft sign, it is completely bogus in name and elevation.
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Charlie the Hoffman grinning on the trail.
Google Translation Charlie the Hoffman grinning on the trail.
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Layers of the Santa Ana Mountains.
Google Translation Layers of the Santa Ana Mountains.
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Me on the trail. Elsinore Mountains High Point behind me.
Google Translation Me on the trail. Elsinore Mountains High Point behind me.
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Elsinore Mountains High Point.
Google Translation Elsinore Mountains High Point.
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Trail view.
Google Translation Trail view.
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Trail view.
Google Translation Trail view.
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Oak grove near the creek bed.
Google Translation Oak grove near the creek bed.
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Tenaja Trail.
Google Translation Tenaja Trail.
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Meadow.
Google Translation Meadow.
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Many years ago it was common to use trees as property corners.
Google Translation Many years ago it was common to use trees as property corners.
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San Mateo Canyon and the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness Area. We could hear the river tinkling hundreds of feet below us.
Google Translation San Mateo Canyon and the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness Area. We could hear the river tinkling hundreds of feet below us.
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James the Wolfman descending into San Mateo Canyon.
Google Translation James the Wolfman descending into San Mateo Canyon.
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Tenaja Falls is barely trickling and this is the rainy season.
Google Translation Tenaja Falls is barely trickling and this is the rainy season.
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Wolfey scrambling around above the falls.
Google Translation Wolfey scrambling around above the falls.
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San Mateo Canyon from Tenaja Falls.
Google Translation San Mateo Canyon from Tenaja Falls.
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Charlie above the falls.
Google Translation Charlie above the falls.
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Smile.
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Vertical Benchmark for elevation only.
Google Translation Vertical Benchmark for elevation only.
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The Hoffman and I with Tenaja Falls in the background.
Google Translation The Hoffman and I with Tenaja Falls in the background.
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Tenaja Falls
Google Translation Tenaja Falls