Agua Tibia: Dripping Springs

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Cleveland National Forest



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DAY 1  |  DAY 2  |  DAY 3

 Morning is lovely. At least it is as I wander over to the first spot of a northerly view while getting breakfast ready. There is not much long view from the camp site. There is a mist playing in the valleys, especially around the tall mountains. Thomas Mountain is no longer producing a streak on the sky because they have put out the controlled burn for the weekend. I pack up and head out for some more expansive views as the mist slowly rises.

Dripping Springs Trail and view
A little piece of that view from Dripping Springs Trail.

The trail is still a little brushy, but not so imposing that it forces a stooped walk or anything like that. Everything from the southerly viewpoint, up past the junction sign, on down is clearly hiked a lot more than the trail above that. The few bits of brushy open up further as I go down, especially as things dry out.

lots more view from Dripping Springs Trail
Thin early morning mists everywhere.


little snow on San Gorgonio
Mount San Gorgonio showing just a little bit of snow at its highest reaches.

hot air balloons going up in the valley
A collection of hot air balloons rising in the valley.

all that land to the north
Mountains and valleys in the vanishing mist.

As it gets a bit too sunny, there are bushes for shade. The redshank, or ribbonwood, and a few other things offer it although not very completely. One bush with chains of flowers is particularly popular with the local bees. I start meeting people and a few even ask about the state of the trail. A couple even have some trimming tools hidden away. I say it is clear enough for travel, but every little clip helps, and show off my lined arms. I really got the scratches going up the peaks, for the most part, but the trail was capable of similar treatment and I do not feel like I am being misleading.

a few bees on flower chains
Bees heavy with pollen on their legs seem to like these flower chains.

smaller side canyon to follow for a moment
The trail edges over the ridge to another, smaller canyon for a short way.

The bushes do not last and I continue down in the sun and chemise. There are more and more people coming up, but they look less and less prepared for a long hike. The sun is starting to get a little too blazing for climbing, but still there are more people. This part of the trail have had some recent tread work which involved building a channel on the inside for water to flow along before taking off at the corners. This is entirely the wrong way to deal with water on the trail. It looks like what the trails around here do in rain is suffer. Sadly, this year it will not even matter.

orange trees and the like
An expanse of ranches below.

Arroyo Seco recognizable again
The canyon walls to the right look rather familiar as I start toward Arroyo Seco Creek and the campground.

The trail that I thought looked hot when going up really is hot heading down and there are still people coming up. It is absolutely baking.

Arroyo Seco
The flat just above the campground in Arroyo Seco Creek.

short chamise to almost shade the feet
The trail down as Wild Horse Trail becomes obvious on the other side of the canyon. This side is baking in the sun.

I drop down into the shade of a tall bush near the end for an early lunch and a bit of rest from the sun and watch a couple more head up. They seem happy enough about it. The bottom of the canyon and campground do not feel quite so warm as I finish. The lot is full and one more is trying to find a spot as I load up and head off for the last bit of plan. The weekend can get mildly crowded around here.




©2018 Valerie Norton
Posted 20 Feb 2018
location: Dripping Springs Trailhead, Temecula, CA 92592, USA

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Comments

Derek (100 Peaks) said…
Hello there, If you wanted to do a single overnight backpacking trip while bagging Agua Tibia and Eagle Crag, where would you have camped? I was thinking going counter-clockwise and camping on the flat spot on Agua Tibia, but should I also consider Crosley Saddle? I may need room for two one-person tents. Thanks!
01 November, 2020 14:10
Valerie Norton said…
Crosley Saddle would be reasonable enough and seems rather central to the route. I really only got behind the smallest brush wall there and I seem to recall there was a more visible space. I left the tent so could snuggle in a little smaller. In either direction, you're on brush covered road, so spots you could set out in (but it's really on trail, so...) are frequent when the brush opens up and the slant isn't too bad. Otherwise, I think Agua Tibia Mountain might have had some spots. I'm less certain of Eagle Crag, but think the wide saddle offered options.

Was this really only two years ago? In some ways, 2019 felt like three years rolled into one.
04 November, 2020 00:47
Derek (100 Peaks) said…
Thank you! This is very helpful.
17 November, 2020 15:18
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