Agua Caliente Creek - Pacific Crest Trail

Distance:	9-10 miles round trip
Elevation Gain/Loss:	900'/900'
Difficulty(1-10):	6
backpacking/camping allowed:	yes, with permit
Agency	Cleveland National Forest, Palomar District

Agua Caliente Creek is located Near the town of Warner Springs. This is part of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and is one of the few places in San Diego County where the PCT goes along a reliable creek. There is water in the creek year around.

There is a large turnout where you can park on highway 79, near the Agua Caliente Creek bridge (around mile 36.5). The trail head is marked with a PCT sign. You will walk near the creek for a little bit at the beginning of the trail, but then the trail leaves the creek and goes up into the hills for a few miles before descending back down to the creek again. For the next 1+ mile the trail goes right along the creek and there are some great places for camping if you are backpacking. The Creek is pretty reliable and you can filter the water for drinking. After about 4.5 miles from the trail head, you will come to a point where the trail leaves the creek again and climbs out of the canyon to the west. You can either turn around and go back the way you came, or you can continue on the trail to the west and in about 1.5 miles you will come to a paved road that you can follow to the south and it will take you back out to Highway 79 near where you parked your car.



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Agua Caliente Creek, May 2008

Agua Caliente Creek, May 2008

Agua Caliente Creek, May 2008

Agua Caliente Creek, May 2008