Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - California Offroad Trail

100

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 11/02/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

First time out with the 2023' stock 4 Runner, a TRD Off-Road Premium. Trail is open up to the parking area for Holy Jim trailhead. Lots of mosquito's near the trailhead sign. Route consist of a few minor water crossing's (1-2 inches deep), and a few pot holes. Largest being after the fire/volunteer station. Overall a very easy trail, and a nice shady drive. I cruised in 4H the entire way, but totally would have been fine in 2H on the stock (Dunlop Grandtrek AT20's) tires. Any AWD vehicle with a little clearance should be fine.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Andrew Henry

View More Images

Joe

800

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 09/08/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Trail was open the entire way to the parking area for hiking to the falls.

Luis

300

Open

Rated 1/5

Visited: 06/25/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Was not open along with Holy Jim falls as of 6/25, called the local ranger Friday & was told it was open. Aside from that the road that leads to it doubles as parking for hiking trails so be wary of pedestrians & clueless people speeding.

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

130500

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 05/17/2023

Rumors are the gate is open. See the post below.

Taylor Kempkes

Official Crew

14500

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 05/17/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

After quite a few years the gate at waypoint 7 is now open. At waypoint 8 the trail forks and both roads have signs posted saying no motorized vehicles. The trail is in very good condition but many of the offshoots are still blocked.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Taylor Kempkes

View More Images

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

130500

Partially Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 04/13/2023

The gate is still closed half way up the trail.

Todd

Official Crew

119750

Temporary Closure

Visited: 04/13/2023

This road is temporarily closed due to the moisture. You can read more about the closures here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/cleveland/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5340229&width=full

4Runnerwanted

100

Partially Open

Rated 1/5

Visited: 01/21/2023

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

The trail was closed about 1.5 miles up the road, a local was telling us Santiago truck trail is open but closed due to wash out. Very little technical offshoots open, and the pot holes are endless. If you want to drive through the mud, it’s great, but that is all is has for off-roading. Great for stopping, walking around, and hanging by the water.

Daniel Brudner

200

Temporary Closure

Visited: 12/17/2022

Closed

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

130500

Partially Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 08/24/2022

The gate is closed again

Myles Nguyen

100

Open

Visited: 08/06/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

The gate was closed to the public. This is a very easy dirt road, no need for 4wd or airdown. Does anyone know when the gate will be open?

Darren

200

Open

Rated 1/5

Visited: 08/06/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

I was somewhat in the area yesterday and decided to see how the trail is doing since I hadn't been there in about 25 years. I used to hike to the waterfall all the time growing up. The trail is now paved almost all the way to the closure. After turning around I decided I needed some dirt time and went up to Santiago Peak, which was open.

Denny Duan

Official Crew

1100

Not Reported

Rated 1/5

Visited: 05/06/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

The potholes are the worst, not worth to come here, view is below average. People take their Camry here and it’s crowded.

Hector A Martinez

100

Temporary Closure

Rated 3/5

Visited: 03/27/2022

Only gave this a 3 star since It was closed due to a fire. The small road to get to the main gate was okay. But making this to update that this was closed. Also went up to Silverado Canyon that’s only about 25 minutes away, that was also closed.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Hector A Martinez

Brandon

100

Partially Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 02/09/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Trail is pretty easy has a lot of potholes. There were a couple of small water crossings which are nice and a creek that runs almost all along the trail. Great views but only partially open. There were only a few vehicles and some were sedans which tells you how easy the trail is. Good little getaway and somewhat local depending on where in OC you are located. Hopefully they open all areas soon so we can explore this trail completely.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Brandon

chase

100

Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 01/26/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

Lots of “potholes”, can’t go over 5mph

Paul Abbott

100

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 01/01/2022

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Trail was open. Tons of vehicles out. A couple mud holes due to the rains of the previous week. The road isn't difficult, but going much faster than 10 MPH will kill your rig. Just better to ease on through and enjoy the beautiful spot. Might have been lucky with the creek being fairly full.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Paul Abbott

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

130500

Open

Visited: 12/21/2021

Its open

Michael Merchant

100

Partially Open

Rated 2/5

Visited: 05/25/2021

Difficulty Accuracy: Easier

guys, do some real offroading, go up saddleback or something like that, this place is a just a boring flat road that kids like to drive because it gets some mud on their tires and makes their tacoma look cool. it’s a really pretty area, nice drive, turnouts are fun for doughnuts but cmon, this is not a real trail until they open the rest of it.

Nigel

100

Partially Open

Visited: 04/10/2021

Drove up Trabuco Canyon Road as far as the Cleveland National Forest, where a gate blocks the road. It's mostly a surfaced road, but it's got so many potholes that it feels like a dirt road. Made for a fun little excursion. A sign just off the S19 warns that the park facilities are closed ahead.

T Nguyen

600

Permanently Closed

Rated 2/5

Visited: 01/23/2021

Closed... even the rock areas on the sides. K Rails are up and signed posted...

Trenton Moore

2900

Permanently Closed

Rated 5/5

Visited: 12/27/2020

Fun trail with great scenery; you felt like you were not in the hustle and bustle of southern California for a bit; USFS lists it as closed (indefinitely) on their website, unfortunately.

Arthur

100

Partially Open

Rated 3/5

Visited: 08/30/2020

Got to way point 7 and met the closed gate. 52 Degrees at 0700 today 08/30/2020.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Arthur

Tim S. Brown

200

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 12/28/2019

Fun with a few spots to play in, creek was great for kids to get out and run around. Bummer that is is only partially open, blocked off.

john

600

Temporary Closure

Rated 1/5

Visited: 09/03/2019

Closed.

Josh Noesser

Official Crew

130500

Temporary Closure

Rated 5/5

Visited: 05/13/2019

Last I heard, the ranger district plans on keeping this area closed through the winter of 2020. The idea is to allow plant life and animals to return before allowing human traffic.

Jonathan

200

Partially Open

Rated 1/5

Visited: 04/30/2019

I was in the area and decided to see what the condition of the trail was since I hadn't been on it in about a year and a half. Currently there are no trespassing/ no off road driving signs posted all along the road along with concrete K-barriers across the entrances to every spur off the main road. there are a couple of gates along the way which are all locked and when you get to the gate where the water crossing is, the gate is locked shut with additional no trespassing signs

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Jonathan

robert

850

Partially Open

Rated 1/5

Visited: 03/13/2019

Trabuco is going to be closed from the USFS gate onward for at least the next year due to Holy Fire (Ranger confirmed) Jeep Hill is now blocked with security cameras watching it, and the Sheriffs and Highway Patrol are fining anyone caught in the creek bed. It was only a matter of time before this became a bust, and it’s reached that point. Special thanks to OC Sheriffs and CHP for ruining what used to be a fun local trail.

william

100

Temporary Closure

Rated 3/5

Visited: 07/26/2018

I drove there today after taking a drive on Maple Springs Truck Trail. Right at the entrance off of Trabuco Canyon Rd, There was a sign that stated the road was closed from July to August 10. It also indicated that it was only open for residents. Curiosity got the best of me So I drove in for a look. There are many new signs that say no trespassing located on the off chute area. I also saw at least one new security camera where the first off chute is located. Once I saw the security camera, I turn around and drove out. I hate to think of it, but this trail might become close soon. If anyone has any more information please let us know.

Steve

100

Open

Rated 5/5

Visited: 06/23/2018

Great beginners trail. This was my wifes and I first off road experience in our 2017 Jeep JKU. The views where very beautiful. Fun play areas nothing too serious.

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Steve

William Okura

950

Open

Rated 4/5

Visited: 06/08/2018

Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Fun place for locals to frolic after heavy rains, occasional snow, and general dirt action. Main trail requires airing down because of varying washboards. Waypoints 5 and 6 are good for stretching out the articulation and technical practice. Waypoint 9 can be carpeted with poison oak so beware

Brian Elhardt

100

Partially Open

Visited: 04/22/2018

Trail gate closed at #7 (2.9 mi) above. Many people parking there and hiking further. Definitely check ranger before heading there anytime soon. Otherwise great fun first road and some side adventures open prior to that closure. Easy run. Thanks again for this great website and encouragement for beginners like us.

Christine Barker

100

Open

Visited: 03/18/2018

Trail was open, lots of Jeeps, Toyotas and even a Prius! Due to the recent rains there was a bit of mud to drive around in. Everyone was friendly and polite on the narrower parts of the trail. There are Porta Potties at the entrance to the hiking trail that leads to the waterfall. It was our first time taking my Jeep, Lara Croft, off of the pavement and we loved it!

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - Christine Barker

View More Images

VMRubicon

100

Open

Visited: 03/10/2018

Great day to play on one of my fav trails. Its not too far from my house. Rain made it better! LOT of vehicles. MAKE Sure to Air Down, otherwise you will feel the bumpy ride. I did the whole trail in 2WD, didn't need to even use the 4X4. Be careful of speeding Toyotas around turns. Cheers, VM

Trail Review: Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon - VMRubicon

Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

8 votes

5 votes

0 votes

Mandatory

Optional

Start your next adventure on Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon

Upgrade your Membership

Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

2. RC Airport (1 mi)

3. Possible Water Crossing (1.2 mi)

4. Small Trail Network To The South (1.6 mi)

5. Trailhead - Trabuco Creek Road To The North (Closed) (1.9 mi)

6. Rocky Play Area (Closed) (2 mi)

7. Gate - Closed at this point. (2.9 mi)

8. Trailhead - Holy Jim Falls To The North (4.7 mi)

9. Locked Gate (5.5 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon

Trail Information

Highlights

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Recommended Vehicle:

Concerns:

Summary:

Community Consensus

8 votes

5 votes

0 votes

Mandatory

Optional

Start your next adventure on Trabuco Canyon - AKA Holy Jim Canyon

Upgrade your Membership

Uploading to Gaia GPS

Directions to...

Share Trail

Trail Navigation

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

2. RC Airport (1 mi)

3. Possible Water Crossing (1.2 mi)

4. Small Trail Network To The South (1.6 mi)

5. Trailhead - Trabuco Creek Road To The North (Closed) (1.9 mi)

6. Rocky Play Area (Closed) (2 mi)

7. Gate - Closed at this point. (2.9 mi)

8. Trailhead - Holy Jim Falls To The North (4.7 mi)

9. Locked Gate (5.5 mi)

Trail Reviews

From the Community

Josh Noesser

Print Trail Guide

Recent Updates