Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → Anza Borrego Desert → Hellhole Canyon

Location: Northwest Anza Borrego Desert, California

Time Required: 2 hours

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 feet

Red Tape/Notes: Trailhead is on the west side of the S22, just south of Borrego Springs; the parking area is large so there shouldn’t be an issue finding parking (unless there’s a superbloom going on, and then you’re on your own)

What’s Nearby?: Culp Valley, Borrego Palm Canyon, Lower Coyote Canyon, Galleta Meadows Sculptures

This is a nice little hike across open desert country into Hellhole Canyon and Maidenhair Falls (this hike is sometimes described as “Maidenhair Falls” or “Hellhole Canyon to Maidenhair Falls”). We were here in the spring, so the hike into the canyon was beautiful, with lots of wildflowers. Once you’re in the canyon, you start following a stream bed and water eventually appears in it further up canyon. As the canyon gets narrower, you’ll find yourself amidst palm groves and there are some opportunities for soaking your feet to cool down. Eventually you’ll come to the “hidden” waterfall, Maidenhair Falls. A steady stream of water pours over a cliff face into a semi-enclosed rock alcove with a nice little pool; the walls around waterfall are covered in moss and ferns, and you can step into the pool and stand under the waterfall to cool off if you’re so inclined. Overall a very pleasant way to spend a few hours in the desert.

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → Anza Borrego Desert → Hellhole Canyon