Lots of great trails in Black Star Canyon. The first 2.5 miles are pretty flat. At the 2.5-mile mark, you can turn off to the falls, or turn left and head up the switchbacks with limitless opportunities. It is quite a climb! There's the historic Indian Village (5 miles from parking lot) in the Mariposa Reserve, the Main Divide (8 miles from parking), and The Doppler (8.5 miles from parking) with awesome views of the Inland Empire, The San Gabriels, The OC, and the Pacific Ocean, and more. Rumored to be haunted, I've seen no evidence after many years of running and hiking Black Star Canyon. There are some hidden single tracks to explore as well, plus a route into Corona via Skyline Drive (total trip to Corona approx. 13 miles). Peaks accessible from Black Star Cyn are Sierra, Hagador, and Pleasants, all 20-22 mile round trips. Beware, once you leave the flat area, the trail is quite exposed. You might want to wait until fall or winter before going up for the first time. Prepare with ample fluids and electrolytes. Parking is free. No Adventure Pass required.

Following the directions to the address found on any website will only get you part of the way there. If your map tells you you have arrived after you've just turned down the last street, don't believe it. Follow the road about a 1/4 of a mile more until you reach the end of the lin. You'll see a ton of cars and a Road Ends sign; that's the start of the trek.Also, if you're looking for a traditional hike - where you ascend a small mountain or very large hill for an opportunity to sit at a summit with glorious views all around, you should probably look for an alternate spot.This isn't a hike so much as a long, dusty walk that eventually leads to a dry and rocky riverbed, which is overrun with poison oak, trash and graffiti (not necessarily in that order). There is very little shade on your first approach - it's literally a long, flat stretch of dirt road that eventually winds its way to the path that leads to Black Star Falls.I'm sure the falls are pretty in the rainy season, but in the middle of June those falls are more of a trickle. And really, the sheer amount of graffiti on just about every rock face from the second you climb down into the rock bed is astounding. I mean, it takes effort, I guess - clambering up and over rocks with the intent to deface, but it's really not cool, in my opinion.You do get a bit of a reprieve from the heat, down in the river bed. It's not exactly cool down there, but you've got shaded spots and it's not as blazing as the rest of the trail. Be careful of the shifting rocks and the stagnant water (there's a small pool on the right of the path about halfway in that was just teeming with all kinds of little nasties). And be especially aware of the poison oak before heading in. There are some paths that are overgrown with the stuff.The climb to get to the falls isn't difficult, but it requires a bit of patience and some planning. Check the rocks, make sure they're not slippery, test your footing before you commit to try to hoist yourself up.We spent maybe a minute gazing at the trickle, then thought about climbing up to the caves that are said to be behind the waterfall, before realizing we're too old for that nonsense. The trek out was less challenging than the one in, but I definitely felt it in my knees. My old, tired knees.One more thing - this seems to be a popular biking spot, and most of the bikers that were out that day did not have any kind of noise-maker to let us know they were behind us, and coming up fast. Also, there's a pretty peacock that's way too comfortable with humans that will make noise and follow you down the path (or maybe that was just us). He was pretty, but we had nothing to offer him, and he grew weary of our inability to feed him after a while.

Physically challenge much. Lots of people gave up to see the Black star Canyon Falls. Very difficulty to walk and rock climbing along the stream. Before the falls is a very flap trail to walk, until you enter to the falls area. You have to find the road by yourself. To the end, have to use rope pull yourself to the top. But, it's worthy. It's very beautiful.

Beautiful hike and very peaceful during the 1st half. Now getting to the waterfall was definitely a different story. Be prepared to hop onto and over rocks trying to get the waterfall. It’s insanely fun and you get to be a lil billy goat hopping over and climbing rocks XD . The waterfall at the end is insanely beautiful and definitely a rare site to see in Southern California

Challenging Hike . The last hour anyway. Memorial Day Monday.Very Friendly young Crowd, ready to cheer or help. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the top.The rocks got the best of me. Location a bit hard to find. No service, no GPS. But worth finding. A must for any hiker. I can take it off my bucket list now but I will be back.