Very inspired when we made it. I liked this hike, with the exception of the sections along Main Divide Road. The motorcyclists wouldn't even slow down when passing, leaving clouds of dust in their wake. The 4 wheeled vehicle operators were a bit more considerate, however through some sections of the road I was walking faster than the vehicle immediately in front of me and had to slow down for them as they maneuvered the rough terrain.
I completed this in just under 6 hours. Accessible via Indian truck trail from corona and you need a 4wd to make it to the top by the antennas. Views are wonderful.
Its a beautiful trail but not easy to follow the signs for the peak are missing so we took a 3 mile detour and ended up taking the fire road up to the summit all in all 21 some odd miles.
Lots of vehicles on the fire roads and they will drive around you rather than giving you right away so be aware. Nice trail, slow steady incline all the way up. Nice wild flowers. Great for endurance training. Blessed with Sunny and 65F today but definitely can see lots of water needed on a hot day. Will be back on a weekday to finish the top: hopefully less motorcycles.
My second time doing this trail. But came back and finished today! Do it really early to avoid the heat! Loved it. Well maintained; - Be careful of bikers and motorcyclists!!! Some of them were really aggressive, who never slowed down because of race. Challenging hike for me but pleasant all the same. Couple pieces of advice, most which are mentioned by others.
Bring more water than you think you need. Also, when you think you are getting close to the summit you still have a long way to go. You can see the antennas and feel you are 30 min from the peak for half the hike.
The road up to the parking lot is bumpy so if you don't have a four wheel drive allow some extra time. Get your adventure pass for parking prior if you can. This hike takes a long time so be aware and don't assume you can shave a couple hours off. I didn't end up getting done til so only had another hour of light. Enjoyed the hike even though a mountain bike event was going on so had to pull over for about 50 bikers. Coming back was very pleasant with the afternoon shade and less traffic.
Did this as a training hike with a fully loaded backpack. The road is a PITA cuz it takes a long time to get out there and it can be crowded, but the trail overall is quite lovely.
Once you start climbing after the waterfall trail junction it gets quieter and the views get better and better. April there is plenty of water in the lower sections of the trail.
When you get to main divide road there is no sign indicating where to go, go Right for about. Bring a headlamp in case you end up hiking after dark like me! Great training hike for our Grand Canyon. Go early. Parts of trail are pretty expsoed and can get warm. A handful of annoying things about the trail Great trail.
Tough to get to sometimes as the dirt road can be in pretty bad condition getting there. Great views with trails that have a variety of surfaces, rock, dirt, sand. Bring a lot water. But there is some good riding right at the entrance.
A lot of rocky ruff terrain, fun though. A great way to spend an afternoon hiding out. Beautiful trail and scenery. There are parts where you walk on the fire access road. The non-dirt road parts of the hike were nice and there was quite a bit of shaded trail, which was nice. The view from up top wasn't anything special if you have done other hikes in the area. Did this trail about 6 years ago. Did not plan well for it, but made it. Took is about 8. Parts of the trail are unshaded, so wear a hat and sunscreen on hot days.
Otherwise, amazing views of Southern California. This was the first long hike ever. We started at 6am and ended at 4pm. It was an entire day of hiking and we added an extra 5 miles by going a bit off trail but it was fun. I must say it was very busy at the top. Lots of fun! We totally missed the Upper Holy Jim sign though. Boy am I kicking myself over that one. We started just before sunrise since it was going to be a warm day, and boy was that a good idea! Also, the dirt road is in horrible condition virtually the whole way intentionally, my guess so be prepared for 5 miles of deep potholes.
Going in a car would be a very bad idea. Although we went mid-winter, it was not cold. Make sure to wear layers. A little windy in places. The actual distance of the walk from the parking area is not clear as the trail mile markers must measure from the gate where the last cabin is located.
From the parking lot to the gate is probably a mile. Where you go when you hit the gravel road at the top of the lower Holy Jim Trail is not obvious. Fortunately, we went right and were patient enough to have found where the Upper Holy Jim Trail meets the gravel road. Better markers would be nice. We stopped at the entry to the Upper Holy Jim Trail although we guessed it was probably only another three miles to the top.
Make sure to prep and start early on this hike. It is not a walk in the park. Hi Jeff, Do you happen to know about how many vehicles can park at the Holy Jim trail head?
Thanks for your labor of love. Will be hiking it this Saturday with a group. Moved to SoCal in and have never hiked it. Again, big thanks for your efforts. The trail is popular with hikers and mountain bikers. Bring the 10 essentials and know how to navigate, and let someone know when your plans. Common sense stuff. Yes minimum 3L. Plus a Gatorade. We went when it was hot, degrees and blew threw 3L I use electrolytes and amino energy in my water. Jeff have you ever hiked up the obscure trail that starts left of the small Jeep hill as you are making your way up to Holy Jim?.
I know it goes to the top-saw a hiker coming down the other day, and its steep, familiar with this trail? I also have a Honda Civic and would like to know if it will make it thru the dirt road. I heard you can buy the adventure pass at any BIG 5, is this true? You should be able to get an Adventure Pass at most sporting goods stores, including Big 5.
I got my last Adventure Pass there. If you do a fair amount of hiking, it makes sense to spring for the annual pass. No promises. I once saw a Corvette Stingray that had somehow worked its way up that road before. As for start time, depends on how much you like heat.
My friends and I usually drive over there around an hour before sunrise different depending on how far away you live , start hiking around sunrise, and try to get up and down the mountain before the heat really kicks in.
This sounds like a great hike. I appreciate the post and informative comments. Not sure about sleeping up there. Making it back down before nightfall is a realistic goal though. Just did this one yesterday. Some spectacular views! Figured if I can do this one, I can start hitting the Six Pack next year! Planning to go on this hike next Saturday, July 15, There is no cost to you.
There are mountain bikers on all these trails, so keep your eye out and give them the right of way, especially on the narrow sections of the Holy Jim Trail. If you only hike in fair weather and a touchscreen is fine, or just want a solid tool, I highly recommend downloading the smartphone app, Gaia GPS.
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Every contribution, big or small, is my lifeline to keep this website going. Thank you! More Ways to Support for Free! This guide last updated on February 21, Did something change on this hike? If so, please contact me and let me know. I'll update the guide. Because this road can be rocky and rough, we recommend driving a high clearance or four-wheel drive vehicle if possible. The first strand of the trail takes you through Holy Jim Canyon, showing off bright moss, running streams, and lush forest greenery.
Today, a few mountain dwellers have quaint cottages and cabins made from stone throughout the canyon, looking as if they are straight out of a storybook. The whimsical region includes trickling creeks and streams and bigcone Douglas-firs and Coulter pines.
As you hike through Holy Jim, take in the beauty of the sycamores, oaks, and chaparral landscape throughout your journey and remember the dense history leading it to be what it is today.
Once in a while, you may have to trudge through streams depending on the season, but your shoes should dry in no time in typical California weather. If you are lucky, other hikers may have carved a path for you in advance. If you want to add some extra time to your hike, you can head to the falls and take a dip in the waterfall.
If it is too dry, the falls might be minor, but it can often be an impressive sight with the right conditions. However, instead of visiting this site on this particular hike, we recommend putting that off for a later date and continuing along the path to ensure you finish in due time.
The switchbacks continue along the side of the hill, providing exquisite views of the lush canyon and the Santa Ana Mountains. Mile markers give a sense of encouragement as you continue up the mountain. Make sure to pace yourself, as the journey has just begun! The switchbacks may seem endless, but together they make a grand accomplishment.
After the switchbacks, you will take a right on Main Divide Road around the 5. The higher paths are wide fire roads, making them easier to follow and less stressful than the narrow paths. Views of these mountain peaks are stunning on high-visibility days! The upper levels of the track are well-paved and reasonably easy to follow.
Boulders and shaded areas make great resting points for a quick stop, snack breaks, or a place to stretch your hard-working muscles. The higher you go, the better the landscape becomes as the view extends beyond the canyon to more of the surrounding Southern California towns.
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