Black Star Canyon Road(edit)

Overview

Black Star Road climbs moderately to steeply up the hill to the Main Divide Trail. It is also the way to Black Star Falls. The lower two miles of the road are accessed by local camps/farms and is extremely muddy after rains. The trip up to Main Divide Trail is popular with bicyclists and leads to varous other places up on the ridge: Sierra Peak, Hagador Peak, Pleasents Peak, Bedford Peak and Santiago, ultimately.

As a hike the Black Star Fall is popular at 8.4 miles and moderate except for the climbing once you get to the creek. The falls are notable for their height and a cave that splits the waterfall. Unfortunately, taggers have found the location and spray painted on the falls (Sadface). The trip up the creek is not too hard, but long pants and sleeves (and gloves) might be helpful to avoid the plentiful poison oak.

Above the turnoff for the falls, the trail climbs up to an old indian potrero, Horsetrough Spring, and Beeks Place, and the weather radar dome before reaching the main divide trail. If you go left, you soon reach the popular Skyline Trail coming up from Corona, offering the possibility of climbing over the Santa Ana mountains. Go right and you head to Beeks Place (an abandoned homestead) and Santiago.

The road is exposed, and so become very hot in summer.

Getting Started

Drive to Santiago Canyon Road from Chapman Blvd or Jamboree Road or the 261 Fwy. Go down Santiago Road until you pass under a road bridge and reach a bridge crossing Santiago Creek. Silverado Road is immediatly after the bridge. Go left and then take the first left right away. The road goes up about 1/2 mile before reaching the gate that blocks Black Star Road. Park alongside the road.

Taking Children

Black Star is a popular route for families of older children. Beware the poison oak mentioned in the description. The trail up the creek to the falls requires good shoes, strong ankles, and some easy climbing.