Black Star Canyon Falls Trailhead

Unexpectedly fun. Initial 1.5 mile is easy and the rest 1.5 mile is hard for many as it involves a lot of climbing and rocks are slippery. Please plan to take water, bug spray and sun screen and definitely some food for fuel. We saw a lot of people with their dogs. Do it with a group to have the best experience.

Incredible hike! Try and go a couple times every year after the snow melts. The last couple years the falls have been flowing but nothing like it was a couple years ago. The first part is a dirt trail for about 2.5 miles and is not too tiring for an avg person. The 2nd part is about 2 to 2.5 miles also. However, you will be following a creekbed and will need basic bouldering skills. I usually walk in from the creek and walk out above the falls. Fastest I've done there and back was just under 4 hrs at a steady pace. People who say it's easy are misleading. It is easily moderate to hard simply from the bouldering aspect for the avg person. If you are someone who hikes often then it's prob easy to moderate difficulty. There is zero chance you can make it to the falls and back within 2 hrs so plan on a minimum of 4 to 6 hrs depending on your pace and conditioning.

A difficult hike if you're not use to hiking, can take anywhere between 3 hours to 6 hours depending on your pace. There are no restrooms at all. Would recommend jeans vs shorts, but saw some people with shorts anyways. Definitely bring water and maybe some snacks. Lastly bring good hiking shoes with grip. Very beautiful trail, Definitely recommend, however I don't recommend bringing your pets.

Great hike! About 6.5 miles round trip, pretty technical the last mile up so wear hiking boots, you’ll be glad you have traction and ankle support. Lots of shade along the way. When you get to the falls, if you are adventurous to climb to the top of the falls, you’ll be greeted to a refreshing cold cup inside the cave, jump in….problem Is getting back down!! Enjoy

Amazing hike with breathtaking scenery! The trail offers a mix of adventure and challenge, with stunning canyon views and a rewarding waterfall at the end. Some rocky sections require a bit of scrambling, but that just adds to the excitement. We went on a Sunday, and while there were other hikers, it never felt too crowded. Highly recommend for nature lovers and adventure seekers!

A challenging but rewarding hike. The first couple of miles are easy but the last mile is an uphill scramble up a stream bed and adjoining area. When I went in May, the waterfall at the trail summit was still quite lively. It took a bit over three hours to do the 7 mile round trip at an easy pace.

The falls were running. First 2 miles will be easy flat part, but when you get into the wilderness then you will climb up big rocks and use ropes. It’s worth it but i’m not sure if it is worth if the falls weren’t running.

Beautiful secluded hike leading to seasonal waterfall—most impressive after winter rains. Trail involves multiple stream crossings, so waterproof shoes are essential; feet will get wet regardless. Moderately challenging with some boulder scrambling and unclear path markers in spots. Do not attempt close to sunset. Morning visits offer cooler temperatures and better parking options before the small lot fills up.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Love a challenge! This is one of my top three favorite trails to hike. Even on a hot day, I love how fresh it feels here. The trails are clean, there's plenty of shade, friendly hikers all around, and a stream runs alongside most of the way up.

This was a great trail and hiking experience. A good place to get lost and enjoy the outdoors. Family friendly. Great location for begging hikers or someone that just wants to go walk a bit in nature. A good start with flat surface and continues to incline a bit. This could be a mile hike or 7 mile hike depending on your leisure. Over all a good spot and plenty of parking.

If you like a challenging hike, this is your trail. It was quite a long hike in to the waterfall. On this hike, you actually have to crawl and climb your way through. But don't the climbing part intimidate you. Because it wasn't too difficult. During my visit, there were groups of young kids with adult chaperons. I mean, if kids can do it, I'm sure adults would be able to. I think I would have really enjoyed this hike when I was young. This was overall an amazing experience. Especially if you are in the LA/OC area. It's nearby, easy to access, and free! My advice, wear proper hiking boots, bring lots of water, and some snack wouldn't hurt. It's a long hike, so pace yourself and watch your step.

This is a great hike, the people you encounter are always very friendly. I've never encountered any snakes, or mountain lions, I feel like the people leaving those reviews are locals that are trying to discourage people from using the trail. This is a very challenging trail though. It's tough for adults and challenging for children. It's a 4.5 hour hike and almost 7miles round trip. There's no bathrooms or facilities and if you get hurt, you'll have to be airlifted out and insurance doesn't cover the ($5000) cost. Wear good waterproof hiking boots in the wet season, you'll need them, and prepare to be sore after the hike it's a good one! Besides that happy hiking!

Second time on this trail, first was during college over a decade ago and forgot how difficult it got towards the waterfall but very doable if you take your time. The first 2.5 miles was very boring as it just a fire road that takes you to the start of the canyon trail. Once you start crossing the stream and climbing over boulders of all sizes is where the adventure begins. I did the hike in hokas but at some section where it was steep and loose I'd wish i had hiking shoes with deeper treads and grip b/c I was slipping and sliding. Def recommend bringing at least 2L of water on a hot day or filtration system. It was roughly 7 miles round trip for our trip and around 4-5 hours with short breaks.

Went to this challenge find trail yesterday, and it was so so much fun! We crossed the streams, climbed the rocks, and dived in the waterfall. Though it was a challenging trail, we had a so much fun getting our shoes wet. This is an advanced level trail, considering the rock climbing's, bushy path and the length of it to reach the waterfall (3hr one way). I'm surprised to see some parents bringing their 3-5 years old children to this trail AND reached the waterfall, even me as an adult coming back feeling 'beaten up' lol I guess kids enjoy the water stream and climbing rocks as much as adults. The water fall is alright, but I heard it was a lot of water right after the rain last week, I should've hiked earlier. TIP, be prepared to bring extra water, snacks are essential, proper hiking boots (water resistant) are recommended if you don't wanna get your feet wet, and have a good night sleep the night before. It's not a beginner level trail, but worth the efforts if you prepare well! We will sure be back the next time after rain!

Read recent reviews to see if there is actually water at the waterfall. If the season is dry, no waterfall or just a trickle of water. Beware of snakes! See photos dated 4/28/2024. Free dirt parking just at the head of the trail. Trial starts off on a wide dirt path with no shade (2miles). Then, the fun begins... As soon as you get to the start of the trail (road splits but there is clear metal sign at the start of Black Star Canyon to the right), there will be lots of tree shade. Youll criss cross back & forth along the creek and you WILL be bouldering. If you don't have waterproof shoes, be prepared to get wet. Bring enough water for a 4 hour hike (round trip). Fun hike & not for the weak.

I came, I saw, I conquered. Finally after 3 tries. I made it to the waterfall. It wasn't easy. The terrain was rough. Rougher than I expected. There's a long dirt road but at the end of it, it veers off to the right and into the woods and into the rough terrain. The trail always looks different. It's tricky. Fair warning, you will step in water, you might twist an ankle, you might slide off rocks or boulders. This hike was no joke. My Nike air max 270's didn't stand a chance. I twisted both my ankles. Lol. Please wear shoes meant for hiking. Bring water in a backpack, maybe even a bite to eat. The hike is long. It took us 4 hrs to get up there. It was a beauty, that waterfall. When u get there it's so worth it. Getting back down is a b!tc*** lol...Please be careful. Follow people up there and out of there. Trust me, you'll see other people. Grab those ropes that are hanging. They are there for a reason and left by others to help you get up there. Lend a hand to others that may need help. The other hikers tend to be really friendly. Make sure you pitch in. Keep in mind, it is pitch dark through there at night, you don't wanna be back there on those rocks. There are mountain lions even though you don't see them. Go early in the morning or early enough to get out before dark. When it was over I was soooo sore and achy. It is a major work out. There are no benches to sit on to rest, on that dirt road on the way out, you have to keep walking. I think that was one of my hardest realities, is that after all that climbing up and down, on the way out I just wanted to sit and rest and couldn't. Be ready for it but Njoy it. It was truly amazing.

Nice hike. Heavy on the mountain bike scene some cross country runners, dog walkers and families. Challenge to get to the top but an easy steady nature walk with some elevation change.

Finally got to check this hike off my bucket list. 7.5 miles, 4.5 hours with a leisure lunch break at the falls. Plenty of parking and lots of people at the waterfall. Lots of green foliage, stream crossings, and boulder climbing. Pro Tip: -There is no restroom at the parking lot nor on trail. Only a few places to go off trail (and please not near the stream) if you need to go. - Don't bring your trekking poles unless you can pack them away. There are steeper sections w ropes, but you might not need to use them. -Wear shoes w good traction. -Watch out for poison oak along the trail! For more socal adventures: @grace.loves.adventures

It's a great adventure hiking trail. Make sure you have the right gears especially the raining season: 1. long pants- prevent the startch from the plants 2.gloves because you will have to touch the muddy rocks at some points 3. Slip Resistance Hiking shoes:water prove shoes 4. Spare socks, shoes. Your socks and shoes will get wet at some points, but since you still have to walk 2 miles back after the fall his, so it's better have changing clothes sigh you 5. Come early make sure you can back to the fall trail sign before sunset. It can be very dangerous to hike up and down in the rocky 6. If your body especially your angles are not good, please stay away from the fall trail. It can be dangerous. The first 2 miles is walking on the flat ground then you will see black start canyon falls sign, then you will start your adventure for 2 miles: climbing on the rocks, stepping in the water. It be challenging and dangerous if you didn't

Hello! So this trail has two paths, the easy but long uphill trail, and the one that most people know about black star canyon trail for, and that's the waterfall trail. The waterfall trail is quite a tough hike so please be prepared for some tough climbing, some boulders, poison oak potentially, some tough footing, and no bathrooms. With that said the scenery at the waterfall is quite nice, but the graffiti kind of takes away from the experience. The long uphill trail is quite a tough one but man it is a good one to do some workouts on. Again like I said earlier the views are nice but the graffiti takes away from it. Also some people speculate it is haunted. If there was like a 3.5 star option I would do that but I'd rather give this a 4 then a 3 judging from other peoples reviews.

This hike goes absolutely nuts I came completely unprepared and had done no research about this spot When i was 40 minutes in Climbing boulders, I was warned by a woman that I would lose skin This is true and I still have a scar This hike is no joke You will be bouldering and combating possibly poisoning plants You will question your life And many other things like will you ever reach the end. Good news is, if you do there is a waterfall at the end and you can climb inside. I climbed inside with the help of. A fellow hiker who ended up inviting me to his group and We hiked with many people You will make friends and you will feel so sore after . But honestly it's the most epic hike in the area and a badge of honor and awesomeness to say you did it YEAH 5/5 I saw a frog and my first tarantula here

Great after the rain but it is a bit muddy. It's not an easy stroll. It'll require you to climb some rocks, jump on as off others. We did see a handful of 65-70 year old people make it to the waterfall, though. Parking is free. About 2 mile walk in then you'll start to hear the creek. It's probably 1.5 hours each way depending on your speed. Don't leave trash. There aren't any restrooms or toilets. Use the restroom before you drive in. Maybe get some snacks at the Albertsons and use the restrooms there.

Parking area is right at the start of the trailhead. You see a sign that says black star canyon trail. First two miles of the trail are on a large fire road. Then you hit another sign that says black star canyon with an arrow point down what looks like stairs in dirt going toward the stream. Now this is where the fun and difficulty level get crazy. Make sure you wear shoes with good tread, long sleeve shirt and long pants. Many parts of the trail are overgrown and there is a ton of poison Ivy and poison oak on the path. Had a little trouble finding the trail at times. Lots of rock climbing then you hit a few areas where you have rope to help you get up steep areas. Lots of small little waterfalls leading to the grand finale.

I was told this hike may be a challenge to some. They were right! Lol. What seemed like a calm long trail turned into climbing over boulders and walking across slippery rocks over the stream of water. I walked by 2 people who had gotten hurt, It's probably best not to wear shorts since it's easy to get scraped up here. I wouldn't bring young children here, seems a bit dangerous but I did see plenty of dogs. I saw all kinds of wild life, and the waterfall at the end was beautiful. It made the whole 4/5 hour struggle worth it lol If you come please pick up after yourself, unfortunately I saw so much trash on the floor and in stream. Parking was decent and somewhat easy to find, just be cautious not to leave valuables in your car. It was a challenging hike for me since I'm used to just walking trails but it was a fun experience! I'd definitely visit again but wear better shoes and maybe bring a first aid.

Not for beginners 1) wear hiking shoes or shoes with good traction because your jumping into rivers, climbing rocks and muddy unpaved mountain side 2) wear long pants and long sleeves 3) poison oaks everywhere 4 hiking sticks definitely would help 5) water 6) unless your dogs are conditioned for rough terrain otherwise leave your fur babies home 7)) extra pair of shoes to change out of bc you'll get wet at some point

After getting shut out last weekend because of the closure, we came back this weekend. We started our hike at 6 am, were at the falls before 8 and back to the the car by 9:45. We moved fast and didn't hang around at the falls long. The mile and a half up the creek was about as challenging as I'd thought but we didn't get too wet. There were a few more difficult crossings and some other steep parts on the side but nothing dangerous if you take your time - I was glad I had poles around the water and steeps. We lost the trail a few times but it was easy to find once you looked around. We were the first ones at the falls on Sunday morning and I'm glad we left early because the parking lot was full and people were parking about a mile from the trail by 10 am. Many people were dressed more for a leisurely bimble than the slog up the creek; we saw people in jeans and Hush Puppies slowly making their way up to the falls. I'd hate to be stuck in a crowd here where many parts are single file and people weren't sure what to do. Start early. Bring about 2 liters of water - don't drink the creek wtaer! Poles are helpful if there's a lot of water otherwise could be a hindrance when bouldering towards the end. Hiking pants might be better than shorts because of the poison oak and sliding down some rocks. I hiked in waterproof boots which were great but any sticky shoe you don't mind getting wet would do.

Best place to take your well trained dogs for a hike! very beautiful wildlife and nature

Following the directions to the address found on any website will only get you part of the way there. If your map tells you "you have arrived" after you've just turned down the last street, don't believe it. Follow the road about a 1/4 of a mile more until you reach the end of the line. You'll see a ton of cars and a "Road Ends" sign; that's the start of the trek. Also, if you're looking for a "traditional" hike - where you ascend a small mountain or very large hill for an opportunity to sit at a summit with glorious views all around, you should probably look for an alternate spot. This isn't a hike so much as a long, dusty walk that eventually leads to a dry and rocky riverbed, which is overrun with poison oak, trash and graffiti (not necessarily in that order). There is very little shade on your first approach - it's literally a long, flat stretch of dirt road that eventually winds its way to the path that leads to Black Star Falls. I'm sure the "falls" are pretty in the rainy season, but in the middle of June those "falls" are more of a "trickle". And really, the sheer amount of graffiti on just about every rock face from the second you climb down into the rock bed is astounding. I mean, it takes effort, I guess - clambering up and over rocks with the intent to deface, but it's really not cool, in my opinion. You do get a bit of a reprieve from the heat, down in the river bed. It's not exactly cool down there, but you've got shaded spots and it's not as blazing as the rest of the trail. Be careful of the shifting rocks and the stagnant water (there's a small pool on the right of the path about halfway in that was just teeming with all kinds of little nasties). And be especially aware of the poison oak before heading in. There are some paths that are overgrown with the stuff. The climb to get to the falls isn't difficult, but it requires a bit of patience and some planning. Check the rocks, make sure they're not slippery, test your footing before you commit to try to hoist yourself up. We spent maybe a minute gazing at the trickle, then thought about climbing up to the caves that are said to be behind the waterfall, before realizing we're too old for that nonsense. The trek out was less challenging than the one in, but I definitely felt it in my knees. My old, tired knees. One more thing - this seems to be a popular biking spot, and most of the bikers that were out that day did not have any kind of noise-maker to let us know they were behind us, and coming up fast. Also, there's a pretty peacock that's way too comfortable with humans that will make noise and follow you down the path (or maybe that was just us). He was pretty, but we had nothing to offer him, and he grew weary of our inability to feed him after a while.

Went with a group of friends a year ago, all of us were inexperienced hikers. The first part of this hike was just a long boring dirt trail. The other 6 miles consisted of trailside rivers and rocks. Lots and lots of rocks. Nearing the end of this hike was a little bit challenging, specifically at the cut-around we took to avoid the boulders. Don't be afraid to use your hands and do a little bit of climbing. Once you reach the end, you might encounter a nice waterfall, depending on the season. Unfortunately for us, we went in November and there was a dried cascade upon meeting. Overall a fun hike, even for the newbies.

From the short walk we had, it was nice. But it was also 94 degrees out. I think it would have been better to get an earlier start. Good think we all had water.

One of my favorite hikes in SoCal. Round trip is about 8 miles, but the first 1-2 miles are on a dirt path leading to the actual trailhead. You're basically hiking alongside the river, which you have to cross a few times. Towards there end, you have to scramble some big boulders and finally make it to the waterfall at the end, which is sometimes a lush fall or could be a trickle of water If you want more fun, would recommend going after heavy rainfall. Bring lots of water and wear grippy shoes (it will be muddy!)!

Moderate/difficult hiking trail with waterfall at the end of the trail. Wanted to change up the pace and try out an OC trail. The parking is free and available at the trailhead but read the posted signs for restrictions. There's no bathroom available. The trail is really easy at the beginning - it's a wide flat trail that's very exposed, so wear sunscreen and bring more water than you think you need. I usually bring one hydro flask but I brought two this time and was happy to have done so. After about 2.5 miles, you'll see a sign pointing out the Black Star Canyon on the right hand side and that's where it gets fun. There's a general outline of a trail but there's a lot of clambering over boulders. You could hypothetically bring leashed pets and kids but I'd recommend against it for safety purposes. If you do bring kids, please be mindful of people hiking behind you and step aside to not create any bottlenecks. It's about 1.5 miles of climbing over rocks before getting to the waterfall. The waterfall was a mere trickle but it was still a really fun trail. You'll definitely be sore the next day but you'll leave feeling super accomplished. There were a lot of people there - masks are required but unfortunately less than half the people we saw were wearing masks :/ Overall, the trail is a fun one where you can get a great workout in.

This trail is amazing and worth the effort. It took us almost 5 hours to and from, 8.5 miles of walking and climbing huge boulders. It was slippery and muddy so you will get wet and dirty. Bring an extra change of clothes if you don't want your car to get dirty. The day we hiked it was overcast and very light rain so we didn't need much water. This is not a pet friendly hike, saw one too many dogs on the way back that looked way too tired and miserable. There are parts during the hike that there are ropes to help you climb up but it still took effort. The waterfall was amazing so it is definitely worth it. There is also lots of poison ivy along the trails.

Best hike I've ever done!!! First couple miles are a trek of just straight walking, but once you get to the boulders that's where the fun begins. Had a small group of friends that came, some who have done the trail and some who don't even hike at all, and all of us enjoyed the whole experience. And the best part about the hike is definitely the reward at the end, getting to see the main waterfall. I would bring some good hiking or trail shoes/boots and lots of water, and definitely some extra clothes, cause no matter how hard you try, you're most likely gonna end up getting wet at some point. 10/10 recommend for any hikers or beginners who want to challenge themselves a bit in endurance and athleticism.

So beautiful after it rains. Now there are some wildflowers and lots of grass. Good time to go.

Challenging trail with lots of inclines, boulder climbing and river (stream) crossing. You definitely need a strong core to be comfortable here. I wouldn't recommend bringing small children on this hike. The nature is beautiful and the waterfall at the end of the trail was worth it all!

Great hike if you like to scramble over rocks and do river crossings. Only go if you're surefooted haha. Highly recommend riding a bike for the initial 2.5 miles of fire road, then locking up near the trail entrance. Saves you a lot of time and energy. Very scenic hike through trees and along the river the whole time.

GREAT GREAT HIKE. One of the top hikes in Orange County. 4 hours RT, 8.5 miles. The first half is a large flat fire road, then you'll see a sign for Black Star Falls, and start walking along the river. Since the rains, there is a lot of water! The second part of the hike, you'll have to cross the river multiple times and climb up and down boulders. There's a couple parts with rope you'll need to use. I would highly recommend hiking shoes for good grip so you're not slipping on the rocks, because they get wet from everyone hiking. This is a popular hike, so start early. And watch out for poison oak! There is a lot growing all over the hike.

One of my most favorite trailers in Southern California! Great views, and many beautiful peacocks to enjoy!

So happy I finally got to check Black Star Canyon Trail off my bucket + yelp bookmark lists. I'd totally do this hike again - when there's actually a waterfall :) Keep reading... One of my best friends and I hiked Black Star a few days ago on November 11th, 2020. I had the day off because of the Veteran's Day holiday. Hiking Black Star was a great way to take some time out to reflect, remember and to think about those who have served, who are currently serving and of course, those who have fallen - their courage, their patriotism, the sacrifices they have made for our country. Thank you to our Veterans so that we can be FREE! I hiked Angels Landing (Mt. Zion) a few weekends ago so my confidence level was pretty high. Be sure to check out my yelp review for Angels Landing - the chains part was scary AF. Honestly, I'm comparison, Black Star is challenging but it's totally doable. It's just under 7 miles round trip reaching 800 feet of elevation. It will take an average person about 5-6 hours. My friend and I are avid hikers and we work out regularly, so it took us only 3 hours to complete. The first 2 miles is basically a flat dirt driveway. Beautiful scenery. We brought our friend's dog because this trail is dog-friendly but I do not recommend bringing a dog especially if you want to do the bouldering. As humans, it's very challenging going through and climbing the boulders - a dog kind of adds to the challenge but not in a good way. The dog got stuck a few times. The last 1.5 mile (mostly shade - so be sure to bring a jacket/cover up) to the waterfall which was dried up (apparently, the best time for waterfalls is May/June) was all bouldering. It's a great leg and booty workout - yay! There's no clearly defined path. However, you'll find pathways along either side of the creek on your way up to the waterfall/end. For the most part, you'll just end up creating your own path which makes the hike really fun. There's a big rock in the middle with a panda with an arrow pointing "this way" but it's bullsh!t. LOL. Those m'fers totally got us. Smh. Got me good. Overall, a really fun and challenging hike. We saw a few people ride their bikes through the paved road until they got to the bouldering part. There's actually a bike rack where you can lock your bike so you can Boulder. It's actually smart because once you're done bouldering, the 2 miles back to the trailhead seems like forever LOL. The trailhead address 13333 Black Star Canyon Road, Silverado CA 92676. There was plenty of parking at the trailhead but I can only imagine the weekends probably get really busy + packed. If you love hiking and the outdoors, I highly recommend adding Black Star to you bucket list. I'd love to hear about your experience! Happy trails :)

Black star Canyon trail will be one of my favorite hikes that I've done this past year. There is supposed to be a waterfall at the end however this will all depend on how much rainfall there is. Keep in mind with the fires and drought can make it so the end is a little anticlimactic but honestly still very rewarding because it does leave you with a nice spot to rest and hang out for a bit. 1- the hike- So the parking is pretty good and when I did get there it was also kinda full.. I was lucky to find one at the end. You will begin down a nice long flat trail that leads to the sign that says "Black star canyon falls" this is where the hike actually geta to transition from easy to difficult. Bring boots.. or trail running shoes your going to need them. The trail can cross on both sides of the canyon and you can lose it sometimes. Or you can do what I did and climb the rocks in the middle and jump on and off trail. There is a point where you have to hold onto an established rope tied up to get on this steep part of the trail.. soooo your going to get dirty. Oh and bring water and snacks.. it was nice to victory dance it at the end and relax with some treats. 2- the people for the most part were all courteous. Keep in mined.. some people don't care for the mask part of life so just do you part ... respect the nature and move on with your life. I would also bring a mask you can pull on a d off easily.. it does help when you stop for a breather or no one is around and you can take in nature and it's glory. Also... If someone is struggling lend them a hand and bring some hand sanitizer just to make sure your being cautious. 3- dog friendly... Yes.... Lol. My dog loved this trail and some of the climbing was had him wondering 'how do I'd do this" lol. I did have to lift him up.on a couple areas sooo keep that and mind.. but PLEASE BAG YOUR PUPS POOP!! the good think is the long initial path to get to the hike will allow your pup to unload themselves pretty well and towards the black star trail there are a couple trash bins. My pup did poop at an inconvenient time.. soooo I did end up having holding a poop bag for a while as we walked back to my car. Some people will bag it and toss it to the side.. it's not my thing but to each their own. I will definitely be doing this hike again. most likely after a rain fall to see if I can get more of the falls characteristic but overall.. it's a solid hike. It also takes time.. I got there around 9 and did not get to my care until 1 ish.. lol

Gorgeous Waterfall! About 6.7 miles, out and back, challenging as you get close to the waterfall, a lot of rock climbing, dog friendly, combination of partially paved and rocky, shade and non-shade. I love it!

Loved this hike! My boyfriend asked me to go on this hike with him spontaneously and I was completely unprepared with no workout clothes or proper exercise shoes. Since I live in San Francisco now and I was just visiting, I only wore some beat up converse and brought jeans and sweaters down for my weekend trip. I ended up borrowing my friend's shoes (which were .5 smaller than my size) and her workout leggings. Least to say, my feet were not happy with me at all. This place is about an hour away from where we live so we didn't start our hike until 12:30pm in the afternoon on a Saturday. Weather was nice and cool so that was a huge plus since I didn't put on too much sunblock. We didn't finish the hike until around 4:45pm so it was about a 4-4.5 hour hike. There wasn't a lot of people so there was plenty of parking and not crowded at all. There was a peahen (female peacock) that crossed our road along the way so that was a fun thing to see. My boyfriend and I were also reading signs that there were mountain lions so luckily we didn't encounter any! I wouldn't recommend anyone to hike this on their own since there are a bunch of rocks you need to climb and sometimes you might need a little moral support or boost to get up the rocks. I also don't recommend bringing small dogs that can't climb because you will probably have to end up carrying him/her. Overall, I loved this hike and 10/10 would recommend to anyone who is up for a new challenge. P.s. I'm sooo glad I went on a cool day, I can't imagine surviving this hike on a typical LA weather. Make sure to go early if you want to avoid the heat and stay hydrated! Also, make sure your dog doesn't drink the still water that's all around the rocks, there's new life growing there and it can't be good for your dog!

Ready to get your butt beat? If you're a 52 year old man, who's had both his hips replaced over the last year, then you'll be feeling as dead as I am at the moment. But it's a good form of dead. Get. There. Early. This place gets packed. We got there at 6am and it took us about two hours to get to the falls. When we got there, there was a group of 5-6 people taking a break, taking pics, snacking. We spent about 30 minutes there doing the same before heading back. On our way back, the amount of people trekking in was nuts! Never seen so many people hike black star before. It makes the journey back a little harder because of all the maneuvering you have to do sharing the small paths with so many others. As far as the trail goes, the first couple of miles are all dirt and fairly flat. Shouldn't be a problem for pretty much anyone, regardless of your fitness level. Once you hit the Black Star Canyon Falls sign, that's where the fun begins! Trails are narrow as you traverse over rocks and water. It gets a little tough towards the end but once you get to the falls, it makes it all worth it!

This is a very strenuous hike and you can easily trip and fall. I wouldn't recommend bringing kids because I hike all the time and even I was struggling to get to the waterfall. Took around 5 hours to get there and come back. First couple of miles was easy to navigate but after going down the stairs to start the trail to the fall there are a lot of rock hand slipper trails to navigate. Came to the fall today and it is completely dried out.

This is a difficult hike, but if you're looking for a good workout, this is it. Bouldering like there's no tomorrow. I'd say avoid snake season or when it's hot, I can see this being a hotbed for snake hiding spots although they'd likely avoid human traffic which there is a lot of when we went. But great time for my first difficult hike

Easy hike or mountain bike. Convenient parking, watch for private property and electrified fences. Dirt road in good condition

Beautiful hike! I'm glad I read the reviews as it appeared some did not. Show up in good quality shoes. If you go now, then your feet will get wet. Total hike about 7 miles. So many people on the weekends that it took longer having to wait for people to climb up on the rocks. It was all worth it. The waterfalls were so beautiful. Hubby did run into poison oak as we were warned.

5/5 awesome trail! The level of difficulty was perfect, the waterfall was adorable, and the boulder climbing was so much fun! 100% you need to bring a snack and a water bottle because this trail was something else. I hydrated the day before but the day after I did the trail, I was so weak and tired and dehydrated! It takes a lot out of you. Parking wasn't an issue at all! I started the trail at 3 and ended close to 7:30pm. You start on a flat trail for maybe like a mile or 2 and then you get to the black star canyon trails sign that lead you down to a trail of boulder climbing, zig zags, getting your feet wet, and lots of climbing. Idk how people do it with kids but I give them a lot of credit! I thought coming back would've been hard but it was easy - I just didn't like the long walk back to the car lol! Can they install a ski lift lol! I would say this was one of my favorite hikes!

My brothers and i went on this hike and it took us about 3 hours round trip. Bring water and some snacks. The terrain is somewhat difficult if you don't already hike, walk regularly, or workout. Be okay with your shoes getting wet and messed up.

This is a very hard hike - great for those looking for a challenge. There is a ton of rock climbing involved in which case it's half hike half climb. It would be even harder with a running waterfall in the spring because the rocks were slippery for us even without much water in the creek. I would say it's more like 4.5 miles in, 4.5 out rather than the 6.8 listed. It took us four and a half hours which only included a couple small breaks. I'm not the best hiker ever, but I'd estimate about 4 hours total is average. The waterfall was mostly dry today, but it is the middle of summer. Fortunately, there was some water trickling in the creek which was nice. Lots of reviews on this hike say "bring lots of water." I brought my 32 oz water bottle and wish I had more. I never felt faint, but it would have been nice to have an extra 16oz or so. As for kids, we saw some families mostly on the flat part at the beginning of the hike. It might be fun for kids to play in the creek a bit, but I don't recommend taking kids all the way to the waterfall. It's very precarious with lots of slipping places. The down sides of the hike are that there is a ton of graffiti, it gets crowded, and the trail is not well maintained. We arrived at 7am on a Sunday and it was already getting busy. In regard to trail maintenance, there was a ton of trash including bottles, wrappers, and wipes/toilet paper on the floor. Overall, I would recommend this hike more for someone wanting to train and less for scenery. PS No bathrooms at trailhead.

On July 31, 2020, there's no waterfall, so it's really easy hike. But heat wave began CA, please bring plenty of water when you do hiking. On the way to come back, I saw 2 tarantulas on the trail

Not the best trail to hike during the summer... there is barely any shade and the creek is completely dried up. I started this trail at 8am and only make it a little ways down the creek and had to go back (~5 miles RT). The beginning of the trail (and the end when you are heading back) is black asphalt which only intensifies the heat. I brought my pup out with me and I was really nervous about him burning his paws on the hot ground or getting a overheated. I did bring ice water so he was able to make the trek ok but I don't recommend this trail for dogs, even though they are allowed, due to lack of shade. Also, we passed a couple of broken glass bottles which is also not cool. I've been here two times prior to this weekend and didn't have a much better experience. I just remember being hot AF and the car being so far away when heading back from the "falls". If you must, come super early and try to be done by 9am.

Hard hike... Go with enough time It took us 5 hours to complete 7.5 miles A lot of rock climbing

Black Star has become a fairly popular trail for hiking. The parking will definitely be packed, so remember to come early! Overall the trail wasn't too difficult, the first 2 miles are mainly road and flat. It then follows a dirt path along the stream that leds to the waterfall. Warning to wear shoes with good grip because the last mile has big boulders that can be difficult in regular Vans or converse. The waterfall was absolutely beautiful, but a bit crowded (especially if you go on weekends). Definitely worth the hike. Remember to bring water and sunscreen because the trail doesn't have much shade and can get pretty hot.

What a blast my friend and I had. We did awesome do 55 year olds. I picked the place and had no idea what we were getting into. It was worth it. We got a bit banged up, but all is good. Little sore today, but to be excepted. I tripped on a rock and there were three men that caught me as I went down slowly. I want to thank them for saving me. It may be have been a bad fall. I landed on soft grass, but I think they caught we juz in time. I laugh now. I said something jokingly and turn toward to the other guy and down I went. That is what I get for joking. Ha! Would I do this hike again, no, BUT I would like to find another place something like it. If you have never been. Must try.

The rainfall has made the trail so lush and green. It's nice seeing the river with water too. My only complaint is the trash and graffiti. Please pick up after yourself. And I'm all for creative expression but do it in the city.