Three Sisters Falls | Julian, CA

What is better than one waterfall? MULTIPLE WATERFALLS! Such a hike exists in Julian, California known as Three Sisters Falls. What was once a hidden gem a few years ago, is now frequented by southern California hikers, eager to introduce their friends to this San Diego staple.

After a long journey (13 miles to be exact) down Boulder Creek Road, you will park your car at the start of the trailhead to begin this epic 4-mile hike.

Please note this trailhead also doubles as the trailhead for Eagle Peak, an ideal destination for rock climbing, however you want to make certain you follow the trail for Three Sisters Falls. A large, brown wooden sign will indicate the trailhead for Three Sisters Falls when you come to the first junction. Turn left to follow the trail downhill to the Three Sisters Falls. You should see the Three Sisters waterfalls off in the distance as you begin your descent.

The first part of the trail offers a nice amount of shade as you pass through a grove of oak trees. After you pass through the grove you will begin to descend for the next 1.5 miles. This is where things get tricky. You will reach the first and hardest rope climb. The level of difficulty for this rope will depend on your hiking and fitness experience, however for safety purposes each person should go down one at a time.

The trail gets very steep after this, with loose gravel so proceed forward with caution and steady footing. Once you reach the valley floor you will find your second rope climb, this one is a bit easier and you can use the roots of the tree next to the rope for surer footing. Once you reach the valley floor follow the trails on the left side of the creek. This side tends to be easier, however you will do a fair amount of bouldering as you make your way up towards the falls. If you opt for the right side, be wary as this path is harder to follow. In fact I ran into a few girls along my trek to Three Sisters who said they got lost for three additional miles trying to find their way to the falls following the trail off to the right.

Soon you will reach the bottom of the falls, however the best fall is a little bit further up. The middle falls is perhaps the fullest body of water, with the top waterfall streaming down steadily. Over the past few years, due to the major drought in California, the top fall hasn’t been as lively as it once was. In fact, when I visited Three Sisters Falls for the first time nearly five years ago, people would slide down from the middle fall to the lower falls, although I never attempted this myself as it looked a little too risky for my liking.

Head up the left side of the falls towards the middle pond and walk over the rocks to the right side to reach the top falls. Watch out for loose rocks around this area, as a few came loose when I was climbing and I almost lost my footing.

If you do opt to climb to the top fall, you will be able to take in a great view of the entire journey you just made. Following the creek upward will eventually lead to another favorite hike of many San Diegans, “Devils Punchbowl”, however this is considered private land.

When you are finished basking in the sun, playing in the middle pool, and dousing your head under the top waterfall, this is where the real work will begin. You will need to follow the exact trail you took to get to the falls back upwards, keeping in mind the two ropes you came down and a steep ascent uphill. The hike out is rigorous for beginner hikers and they may require a little extra motivation and encouragement to get back uphill. Although this hike is short, you will feel as though you got a phenomenal workout as soon as you complete this trail – and a wave of relief.

Three Sisters Falls Tips

Tip 1: Be wary of poison oak which can be found in many spots all throughout the trail, especially as you walk through the creek area to get to the falls.

Tip 2: Wear hiking boots as the steep descent and ascent can be tricky. If you are wearing running shoes you may find yourself sliding and falling down the loose gravel – a hazard that can be easily avoided with the right shoes.

Tip 3: Plan to hike Three Sisters Falls in the spring or winter months when the weather is cooler. This hike provides very minimal shade and gets extremely hot in the summer and early fall.

Tip 4: Do not put the trailhead address into iPhone’s Google maps app as this will take you on a roundabout journey that is much longer than needed. Please follow the driving directions below for the shortest route.

Tip 5: Be wary of slippery rocks near the falls. I’ve seen several people slip, fall, and hurt themselves and even have heard of incidences where people needed to be airlifted by a rescue helicopter.

Tip 6 : Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated as this is one hot hike. I’d also recommend packing a lunch and some protein-rich snacks as this hike can take upwards of 3-4 hours to complete.

Tip 7: Bring gloves for the two ropes if your hands are sensitive or if you just want protection.

Tip 8: A high clearance vehicle is recommended for this hike. About 5 miles of Boulder Creek Road is unpaved and slightly sketchy for low clearance cars.

Trail Difficulty: Difficult

Trail Total Distance : 4 Miles

Trailhead Address : 14850 Boulder Creek Rd, Julian, CA 92036

Driving Directions: To get to the trailhead from San Diego, exit Interstate 8 at Highway 79 (Descanso exit) and drive north. After 1.3 miles turn left on Riverside Drive. Continue 0.6 mile to the main crossroads (post office, etc.) of the hamlet of Descanso. From there take Oak Grove Drive 1.6 miles to the intersection of Boulder Creek Road on the right. Follow Boulder Creek Road north for 13.0 miles (first half paved, then dirt) to a hairpin turn where unpaved Cedar Creek Road joins from the west. Park there, taking care not to block traffic, and post a National Forest Adventure Pass on your car (the parking area and falls lie in Cleveland National Forest territory).