Trail Run Project Logo

A fairly easy out-and-back trail with a couple challenging hills and a fair amount of shade.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

2.7

Miles

4.3

KM

98%

Runnable

466' 142 m

High

368' 112 m

Low

172' 52 m

Up

92' 28 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildlife

Runner Notes

Horses use this trail a lot and like to leave presents on narrower trails so watch where you're stepping. Rocks can be a trip hazard at parts of the trail but the gravel is packed pretty tightly though out the trail.

Description

This trail starts at the main west parking lot and goes to the east smaller parking lot. It is an out and back trail but their are many smaller trails shooting off the main trail that can be made into some loops. The main trail has a couple stream crossing towards the east side that are easily crossed without getting wet. There are trails on the north side of the "river" but you'll need to run through some shin high water to get to the other side.

Parking fills up very early on the weekends, be prepared to wait for a spot.

Flora & Fauna

Typical chaparral planets known in the area as well as oak trees give the trail a fair amount of shade. Coyotes are know to be on trails during sunrise and sunset but they run when they see humans. Trail posts warnings of rattle snakes and mountain lions in the area.

Shared By:

Walter Leitmeyer with improvements by Samantha Shieh

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 4 votes

#11665

Overall
  4.0 from 4 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1,128

in California

#11,665

Overall
6 Views Last Month
2,852 Since Mar 26, 2016
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

View of the river from the crossing
Feb 21, 2021 near Rainbow, CA
Sandy patch.
Mar 28, 2016 near Fallbrook, CA
The river.
Mar 28, 2016 near Fallbrook, CA
Enjoying the shade along the trail.
Mar 28, 2016 near Fallbrook, CA
A sandy patch of trail.
Mar 28, 2016 near Fallbrook, CA
Hikers make their way up the Santa Margarita River Trail.
Jul 2, 2017 near Fallbrook, CA

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.