Merigan Trail

Great hike — 20 minutes or so while I pushed a stroller and a 20lb baby — we hooked a left at the wooden post. Descended down a narrow little trail a few minutes and were greeted with a beautiful quaint waterfall, 2 – 3 lower swimming holes and an upper one we couldn’t make it to with our kids but looked promising. Watch out for poison oak as others posted. There is a considerable sized sand bar/​beach that kids can play on. There are a few shallow wading areas for little ones and a deeper hole for older kids. Plenty of huge rock climbing boulders. No cell with AT&T, sprint or Verizon. Not much shade so the sand will get hot in the summer. All in all a beautiful untouched oasis — let’s keep it that way :)

We did this hike based on the review above. There’s something about the adventure of trying to find a waterfall based on one Unilocal review that sounded fun. It’s pretty much just as the above review describes. Drive east on I-​8 two exits past the Viejas outlets to Japatul rd and make a left. Make a left at hwy 79 and then an immediate left on Viejas Blvd. Look for Mitzpah rd and park in the dirt lot. Parking is $ 8. The hike to the waterfall is about 30 minutes. Take the fireroad and make a left at the fork down towards Dead Horse Trail. You will start to hear water. The falls aren’t big and majestic, but it’s quiet and uncrowded. We had 4 kids with us ranging from age 6 — 9 and they all had a good time.

An outstanding «under the radar» waterfall hike is right here in Descanso. The Merigan Trail (aka the Merigan Fire Road) is closer than you think at just five minutes off the 8 freeway. Once at the trailhead, you will start your hike through an open meadow, passing some shady oak groves then finishing with waterfalls crashing on large boulders.
I was introduced to this gem when I was at sixth grade camp, at Camp Oliver. I knew the Merigan Trail was great even then, but now I can truly appreciate how this area was left untouched after all these years. If it is your first time here, you will be back. FYI. there was still snow on the ground when we went in early January.
There is no official address, but the place is right off Viejas Boulevard at Mitzpah Lane. Since it is part of the Cuyamaca State Park, they have their own signs, dirt parking lot, port-​a-​potties and the «honor system» check in station. I guess they ask for an 8 dollar fee to park.
From the parking lot, walk to the trail head going left that passes right in front of a ranger’s cabin. You can’t miss the trail, since it is wide enough to drive a truck through. Stay on the trail and you will pass through a meadow, then an oak grove, this will then turn into a few mild inclines on the trail that will eventually lead you to a fork in the trail.
At the fork, you will see a sign with the option to go to the «Dead Horse Trail» or stay on the «Merigan Fire Road.» I always take the Dead Horse Trail, and go left at the fork in the trail to get to the waterfalls.
The hike to the waterfall takes about 30 – 40 minutes for the average hiker with a few stops to admire the scenery. On a scale of 1 – 10 for difficulty, I would rate it at a 3. There are some inclines, but nothing too bad. Remember, my entire 6^th grade class made the hike.
Although I love Mission Trails and Cowles Mountain as much as the next hiker… those spots are flooded with way too many bodies. Just when you think you hear a coyote or deer up ahead, it always ends up being another hiker. Kind of a buzz kill. The Merigan Trail has always been the opposite of that experience for me.