Hiking to Eagle Rock on the Pacific Crest Trail

Eagle Rock is a popular waypoint on the Pacific Crest Trail that features a large rock that looks like an eagle rising out of the landscape. While it is pretty remote at about an hour and a half from San Diego, the hike is excellent and one that is a good intro level hike with a gradual incline and nice views. If you want to do it, here is all the information.

Details

• 6.5 miles round trip
• 800 feet of elevation gain
• Location: 31049 CA-79, Warner Springs, CA 92086
• This information is from my visit in 2020

Video

Here is the video I made of my last trip to Eagle Rock.

Getting There

The trailhead for Eagle Rock is located about an hour and a half from San Diego or an hour from Temecula. You will be driving out to the town of Warner Springs, and the trail begins right next to the fire station at the above address. We parked on the side of the road, across the street from the station.

The Trail

The trail starts to the right of the fire station by going through the gate that gives hikers access to a livestock area. Make sure to close the gate entirely behind you.

From there, the hike begins a gradual uphill that you will be doing for the rest of the trail. This hike is nice with lots of shade, and the uphill makes it an excellent introductory hike for those new to the hobby.

I was impressed by how beautiful this hike was for the first two miles. It is shaded and has a gentle babbling brook that you walk along. I am sure it is dried up in the summer though.

Some of the oak trees here are massive and provide a lot of shade to the trail.

Also, the small creek has a few little waterfalls of a couple of feet, which provide fun little stops along the way.

Eventually, the trail will leave the shaded area and head out into a broad valley with no trees.

This part of the trail can be hot, but it also provides some great views in every direction.

You will walk along this trail, going up and down over the small hills as you make your way towards the rock.

The back of Eagle Rock will come into view when you are about a half-mile or so away, and you will see the trail that is leading you there.

There is one more small hill that you descend and ascend to make it to Eagle Rock.

When you come around the front of the rock, you will notice the eagle taking flight shape, which has made this rock such a popular spot to visit. We took a break here and ate our lunch while admiring both the rock and the views around it.

After taking it all in, we began the three miles back to the car, completing this nice hike in around 3 hours.

I enjoyed hiking to Eagle Rock, and it was a lot more beautiful then I anticipated. I recommend you check this hike out if you are in the area and let me know what you think in the comments.