Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

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The trail no longer follows as it is outlined below. Read the end of the post for updated information.

Update August 2013: Numerous people have told us the area is currently closed due to high fire danger. We have no ETA of when it will be open again but will update this post if we hear it is re-opened.

Oh the beauty of summer. There are summits to climb, trails to ride and waterfalls to swim in. It is the time of a year where a hike that fords a river is welcomed, and planning hikes that end somewhere with running water is a must. In that spirit, Zac and I set out to hike to Sapphire Falls in the Cucamonga wilderness near the city of Rancho Cucamonga. A hike that is short enough to allow many people to do it, long enough to give you a workout, and with a beautiful waterfall at that end that you can actually climb. Read one for the full review. 

img 01811 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

Sapphire Falls is the perfect hike for a hot summer day. This was our second time hiking to the falls, and last time we did it was in the early spring so the water was to cold to swim in. We decided to try hiking it again when the weather would be warm and the huge natural pools would have plenty of areas to explore. Also, this hike has a waterfall at the end with a rope that allows you to climb it to reach more of the trail.

img 01911 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

The trail starts at a small dirt parking lot a couple miles off the 210 freeway. It is right up against a wash, and you will have to walk through some of the wash in order to get to the trail. The gate above is where the trail starts, immediately heading down into the wash. From there you will cross the stream and meet back up with the actual trail that will take you the falls, it also passes a water runoff right away.

img 01691 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

This trail is extremely beautiful as it goes through lush plant life, a good size stream and many boulders. The main downfall to this trail is that due to it ease of access there are lots of people that abuse the trail by painting lots of graffiti as well as leaving lots of trash. It is sad to see such a beautiful trail degrading like this but it is still an amazing hike. Make sure if you are planning to hike this you remember the saying “Leave only footprints, take only pictures” so that we can continue trying to protect this hike from getting worse.

img 01891 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

The trail continues for another couple miles, and crosses back and forth over the stream. It is clearly marked and is perfect for summer as you can wade through the water and don’t have to worry about a proper line of rocks for crossing. The end of the trail also has a part with a large amount of bolders in the way, that look like they have fell down since last time we hiked it. They are not hard to scramble over, and once you have you catch a glimpse of the swimming area and entrance to the falls.

img 01801 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

As stated earlier you can actually climb the falls in order to continue the trail to another waterfall behind. However, this proved to be difficult for me as there is no footing under the waterfall so you will have to swim over to the rope and them pull yourself up out of the water. Zac was able to do it but I was not. It was also fun to watch others try to make the climb. I would say about 50% of the people that I saw were successful, so make sure you work on your upper arm strength if you are planning to climb it.

img 01871 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

Zac continued onto the next waterfall and said it was much like the first. I stayed and swam in the pool and talked with some of the other hikers. There was a good amount of people taking in the falls that day so leave early if you want to fight less of the crowds. After that we made our way back out of the canyon and back to the parking lot.

All in all this is a great hike for the summer time. There is beautiful views at every turn, and it is not to physically challenging of a hike to do. If you are in the area I would suggest you check it out sometime.

Duration: 2 hour and 28 minutes
Length: 4.2 miles
Total Elevation Gain: 1300 ft (I think the GPS wasn’t working right, as this is probably less)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Trail map: Click Here

Possible Closure and New Trail Route:

Update (5/29/2012) - We are getting more comments and emails that Sapphire Falls is now closed. We have not had a chance to go out and check but please be advised that others have said there are hefty fines for going into the area now that it is closed. There is a ton of other great hikes in  SoCal so don’t chance a fine if this hike is now closed. Check the comments for more updates on this and make sure to leave a comment if you go and find it to be different.

Update (6/18/2012) - John G from the comments said he emailed the city of Rancho Cucamonga mayors office and got this response.

There is no legal Sapphire Falls hiking trail. Most of the paths into Cucamonga Canyon and the Cucamonga Falls illegally cross private property. Because of tremendous vandalism and other problems, the private property owners have signed No Trespassing orders and asked the City to enforce No Trespassing laws.

There is one legal access up Skyline to Big Tree Road and all the way back to the stream crossing and then down to Cucamonga Falls, and that path/road is still open. Any deviation off that path and across private property is not permitted, however, and anyone caught may be cited.”

Here is an image from the City of Rancho Cucamonga page on the new falls trail. That page has information on other aspects of the trail as well.

Hiking to Sapphire falls new 1024x652 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

So it looks like if you are wanting to go to the falls without getting a ticket you will need to abide by the above directions.

Photo Gallery

 Sapphire Falls Waterfall Hike (Rancho Cucamonga)

About Josh


My name is Josh and I am a fan of the outdoors. On the weekends you will find me hiking or trying to complete any of the numerous adventures I have on my list. I live in Southern California and love the deversity that allows me to have in my daily life. I am part of the OutdoorPros Adventure Team. I also love photography and you can find me blogging on my California Travel Blog or Our Unique World Photo Blog.

Tags: , Ranco Cucamonga,

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  • ashley

    How do u get to the fall.

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    • Razorhead13

      Rancho entrance is closed. you can still get there through upland
      google map 11w West 26th Street upland 91784, and follow the road all the way to the end where there are no homes, and park take the wash north.

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      • https://opadventureteam.com/2011/07/12/sapphire-fall-waterfall-hike/ Monique

        Are the falls closed for good or is there still a way to get to them? i went last year for summer like every weekend!! =(

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        • http://californiathroughmylens.com Josh

          Monique, people have talked about a lot of different ways to get there, but from what I can tell they are handing out citations if you go the main way to the falls. I have not been but that is what people have told me.

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  • ashley

    How do u get to the fall. From the freeway. 15 to tthe 215 and where do u go from there?

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  • https://opadventureteam.com OutdoorPros

    From the 15 take the 210 west and get off on Carnelian st and turn right, then turn left onto hillside road, and right onto sapphire st, then left on almond st and the parking lot will be on the left

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    • Kay

      Is there a fee for parking?

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      • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

        I don’t believe there is a fee but I would display your adventure pass

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  • Lara

    I live in Claremont California, about 20 minutes west of Rancho Cucamanga. If I hopped onto the 210 East, what would I do from there on? I tried to look up the spot through YELP and Google and had no luck!

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  • Josh

    Lara, the parking lot is right around this address 8043 almond st, rancho cucamonga, ca 91701, You should be able to find it is your mapquest directions between you location and that address. Let me know if it doesnt work!

    Josh

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    • Lara

      Thank you! I can’t wait! I will keep you posted! :0)

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  • Dorie G…

    Im so excited to hike the Falls, Would basic tennis shoes be ok ? I’m just getting back into hiking, its been years sense I have hiked, any pointers that may help a girl getting back to nature..

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  • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

    Dorie, glad you are getting back into hiking! You should be fine with basic tennis shoes, just make sure to take it easy on the rocks so you don’t roll an ankle but other then that it should be good. This is a perfect hike to get back into it, the milage isnt to bad and there are a lot of cool things to see, let us know how it goes for you!

    Josh

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  • Jonathan

    I went here the other day. AMAZING. but we chose a more difficult route, maybe hf way on the trail ww noticed a yellow rope hanging down the side of a mountain that looms pretty difficult to scale . So if you see that rope . You should climb it. Supeeerr fun

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    • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

      Jonathan,

      That sounds like a blast! Thanks for giving us the update. Does it just lead you along the ridge above the first falls? Send us a picture if you have one

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  • Jonathan

    I went here the other day. AMAZING. but we chose a more difficult route, maybe hf way on the trail ww noticed a yellow rope hanging down the side of a mountain that looms pretty difficult to scale . So if you see that rope . You should climb it. Supeeerr fun

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  • trinh

    i wana go there with my friends but wer all scared of snakes and wild animals..so did u see any snakes or anything ?

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    • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

      Trinh,

      We saw a snake the first time we went like a year ago but did not on the most recent hike. I would say it is probably pretty rare

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  • http://jandsrvparts.com Tosh

    Your can also take the fire trail all the way up and it leads to the top of the waterfalls. It is more of an adventure and a hike that is unbelievable. There are some techinical spots and some higher areas to jump off of, so no children, but it is the best hike! It will take apporximately 4-5 hours if your hiking at your leisure.:)

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    • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

      Thanks Tosh that sounds like a blast! Will have to try that next time we head up there!

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  • James

    I wanna go with my friend but I don’t know wut time you guys open ? lol also is there any equipment to bring?

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    • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

      James,

      You should be able to hike whenever you feel like it, I am not aware of any set hours.

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      • James

        thank you :)
        so you’re saying we could go anytime right? like early in the morning?

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  • steave

    It is a shame you have posted this on the internet, you have destroyed this place. now because of the increased traffic this is a very cramped and uncomfortable place with nothing but taggers, dare devils and gang bangers. this place was once a serene location with beautiful scenery that when ventured you would only meet another group or two. now there is a line to get through this place and the environment is destroyed with spray paint, kudos to you for ruining another secret location that would let the locals escape the pains of our horrid society.

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    • Paula

      I first hiked Cucamonga Canyon in 1972 when I was just 17 years old. The area was pristine and magical. My cat, Golem, hiked with me, traversing along an animal trail above the main trail — it was so peaceful. I would love to see the canyon cleaned up the way Tahquitz Falls has been in Palm Springs. At Tahquitz Canyon, one must pay at the nature center entrance to hike these Indian Reservation lands.

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      • http://californiathroughmylens.com/ Josh

        Ya I agree, it would be an amazing place if it was clean and I would pay a couple bucks to hike it like Tahquitz.

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  • http://joshcmcnair.wordpress.com Josh

    Steave,

    Thanks for expressing your concerns and I understand them completely, as you can see in the pictures the graffiti has been there long before we were able to go and I talk about how much I hate it in the original post. Our blog is dedicated completely to outdoor adventures and the environment is super important to us, so hopefully our readers will be more willing to pick up trash, clean and try to keep this place beautiful as they have more of a respect for the environment then most. I am with you on hating the fact that this beautiful place has been so destroyed with graffiti but bringing awareness to it is a good way to help people realize they must take better care of the environment if they want to maintain their favorite hikes beauty as well.

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  • Travis

    I would like to know more about the different paths to take and the second waterfall. I am new to hiking but recently went to eaton canyon waterfall and Im hooked. The more challenging the better. Without climbing gear of course. Thank you

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