Things to do |

Find a rushing creek and swimming hole on this Descanso trail

Head to the Cleveland National Forest for this moderately strenuous hike that leads to a sparkling pool of water.

The Espinosa Trail is a roughly 3.5-mile out-and-back hike near Descanso in East County. The well-marked path descends through the area’s mountains and — in the spring after substantial rains — follows a flowing creek for the majority of the hike. It leads to a large pool of water and a small waterfall with nearby boulders, making it a perfect place to eat lunch or read a book.

The trail also intersects with Horsethief Canyon, another beautiful hike in this area. Hikers interested in doing this longer trek can continue southwest along the Pine Valley Creek before ascending the backside of a mountain to create a loop with where they started.

Visitors using the Cleveland National Forest must have an Adventure Pass displayed in their vehicles at the parking lot. The pass is $5 for a day or $30 for a year and can be purchased online or at various locations around the county.

The Forest Service notes that this area offers little shade, and that the best times to go are in the spring or late fall.

To begin the hike, park at the spacious lot on Barrett Truck Trail, just off Japatul Lyons Valley Road. The Espinosa Trail shares a trailhead with Horsethief Canyon, so hikers may see both names shown if they’re using a navigation app like Google Maps.

Follow the path with a sign for Espinosa Trail to the Secret Canyon Trail, which is the route that starts at the pool of water, where the Espinosa Trail ends.

Hike about 0.3 miles before coming to an intersection with a trail heading down into the canyon. Take this path, which is also marked with a directional sign.

The descending trail is steep with some eroded sections, so use caution to not slip. Keep an eye out for Southern California’s quintessential flora along the way, such as lemonade berry and toyon.

After hiking around 0.8 miles, the trail flattens out and becomes shaded with oak trees and lined with green grasses. Hikers who enjoy identifying mushrooms and delicate flowers — such as fungi like turkey tail and pretty weeds like the henbit deadnettle — should keep their eyes peeled for various species in this area.

At one point, hikers will cross over the creek. There are rocks to use for balance and to avoid stepping in the water.

At the 1.6-mile mark, the trail intersects with the route that heads to Horsethief Canyon. Stay on the main path with the sign pointing to Espinosa Trail.

Soon after, hikers will reach the pool of water — which looked to be around 4 feet deep in sections — and the waterfall, surrounded by budding sycamore and cottonwood trees.

The scenery was too lovely to fully capture on an iPhone camera, and I took a moment with my trail companions to enjoy it before heading back up the trail.