Horsethief Canyon

June 23, 2019 tarannosaurus

Epic Travel → North America → The West Coast → Southern California → San Diego Area → East County → Horsethief Canyon

Location: Pine Creek Wilderness, Cleveland National Forest, east of San Diego

Distance: 3.3 miles roundtrip (to Pine Valley Creek), worthwhile to extend upstream along Pine Valley Creek

Elevation Ascent/Descent: 500 feet/500 feet

Time Required: 2 -4 hours, depending on time spent exploring upstream and/or hanging out at the swimming hole

Red Tape/Notes: This hike his covered in Jerry Schad’s book 101 Hikes in Southern California, but you can also find additional information online, like on the prolific resource AllTrails. The trailhead is easily accessed on Lyons Valley Road in Alpine, CA (right next to the Japatul Fire Station). Flies and red ants can be annoying on some portions of the trail. Don’t count on water year-round – if you want to swim, visit in the spring or early summer after the rains.

What’s Nearby?: Kitchen Creek, Indian Creek-Pacific Coast Trail Loop, Garnet Peak, Oasis Spring

I’m not sure what this place is like during drought years, but after a wet winter, the rains turn this little canyon into a surprising oasis. Pass through (or over) the gate at the edge of the parking lot to head down the dirt road for a short distance until the Espinosa Trail branches off to the right. The trail descends steeply, and thick brush and grasses flank the wide path, tapering out as you reach Horsethief Canyon. Here, the trail flattens out and it winds through picturesque oaks and sycamores, following a small seasonal stream for part of the time. The trail travels away from the stream and over a small hill before descending down to a great little natural swimming hole in Pine Valley Creek, edged by large convenient rocks perfect for jumping, drying, or simply sitting and relaxing.

From the pool, you can continue upstream along an increasingly faint foot path through boulders along the water’s edge. There are numerous other options for dropping into the water here if the lower pool is too crowded, and these spots are even more picturesque, with water cascading over rock steps and making numerous small pools. We hiked up canyon as far as we could without needing to travel fully in the water – we’re excited to come back with water shoes and see what else is upstream; we should eventually be able to join up with Secret Canyon, which is typically accessed via a trail that branches off from the Espinosa Trail shortly after the latter crosses the swimming hole. The short hike to the swimming hole is manageable for families, especially if you’re willing to carry younger children on the way back up the hill.