West Fork Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views · Waterfall

Re-opened after the December 2017 the Thomas Fire Closure. Use caution around loose soils, rolling rocks, and unstable portions of the trails. USFS staff continue to work with local groups and partner organizations to repair damaged sections of trails. Check USFS website for the most up-to-date information.

The West Fork Trail begins as a diverging trail from the Cold Spring Trail. After being on the Cold Spring Trail from its trailhead on Mountain Drive for a little under 1/4 of a mile, the signed West Fork Trail appears to the left. At this point, there should be a small waterfall and a bench nearby. You'll then cross over the creek along the trail while a series of pipes, both old and new, parallel the path.

After roughy 1/2 mile of being on the West Fork Trail, you'll reach a juncture with the Tangerine Falls Trail, which can take you up the middle fork of Cold Spring Canyon over rough and rocky terrain to Tangerine Falls. However, to stay on the West Fork Trail just stay to the left at this junction.

After another mile of hiking, you'll reach a spectacular waterfall viewpoint before the trail steepens to enter a narrower section of the trail. After a little over 1/4 of a mile of hiking the trail along this section, you'll reach the end of the West Fork Trail as you come across one of the hairpin turns of Gibraltar Road.

Thanks to John McKinney, The Trailmaster, for sharing this trail description. To learn more about trails in California, check out his guides at The Trailmaster Store.