3 Pools Beyond 7 Falls

3 Pools and 7 Falls are probably the most fun of all the Tunnel Trail hikes. Neither is easy, but both are fun because of the opportunity to go for a dip in the creek. Most people in some kind of decent shape can handle these hikes, but because of the rock hopping (and for 3 Pools there is a very difficult rock to climb) most people end up a little sore the next day.

The trail begins on a paved access road that the Edison Company uses. After a mile the road turns to dirt and you follow it just a little more toward the turnoff to Inspiration Pt. Instead of going to Inspiration Pt, you turn right and head up a very steep trail that takes you above 7 Falls and back down to the creek again to a wonderful, deep series of pools, one of which is popular for daredevil, feet first jumping from a 15 ft. cliff.

The hike is about 3 or 4 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 800 ft.

3 Pools Beyond 7 Falls Updates

Update trail conditions

Posted: January 24, 2010, 8:07 pm
by: Haddy

My first but definitely not the last time. Really a fun hike and since it was raining the entire last week the creek had quite a bit of water.
Since the fire burned the entire area down the exact trail (the part that is not in the creek) is kind of hard to follow but to find back to it is not a big deal.

Everybody who had been there before kept saying that the pools are definitely deep enough to jump in. WRONG!!! I don't know if the hard rain caused it but a lot of sediments (sand and gravel) got washed into the pools so jumping without checking the depth (because you might have done it before) is not advisable. Using the fall as a slide is possible and recommended, its fun.

I was wearing my Vibram Fivefingers, which was a lot of fun. No worries about stepping into the water and perfect grip on the rocks ... a trail made for these shoes. Any kind of water shoe is in general not a bad idea.

Posted: March 25, 2009, 10:37 pm
by: JenPB

Today we tried this hike for the first time. My 6 and 8 year olds who are avid outdoorsgirls helped to lead the way. What a fantastic adventure we had! (Three hours up; 1.5 hours back; two hours at the ponds.)

First, we missed the well-worn turnoff that's only about 100 feet past the end of the pavement (weeds have grown to cover the sign - but STILL the trail is VERY well worn and should have been a giveway). So we managed to follow the VERY steep main trail to (???) quite a way before it occurred to me that NONE of this felt right. We backtracked and quickly spotted the trail.

The walk up the creek was tougher than expected in spots, because of the smaller rocks; the big boulders were much easier to navigate until...

Seven Falls - the water was stagnant or completely dry (in the shallower pools). We didn't really understand the climbing skills needed on this part of the CREEK walk. The traverse steps were too far apart for even the long-legged 8-year-old (who, by the way, is a better climber than I). We watched a couple of small groups struggle up the "stairsteps," then started our descent. THAT's when we spotted...

the trail! Not easy. Not clear of poison oak, but CERTAINLY a way around!

Found one more really tough climbing spot (for short people), but helped each other out and finally found our way to our reward - FANTASTICALLY clear, cool pools - three of 'em in great repair. I was pleased to find little trash in the area. (We carried out two beer cans, a water bottle and rice crispy bar wrapper - none of which we'd carried in.) The water was a great reward, and the people we met along the way were friendly, helpful and relaxed. WONDERFUL!

I would not suggest this trek for anyone under age 12 unless the kids are used to hiking (mine are VERY used to hiking), adventurous, and their parents are VERY interested in expending a LOT of energy helping them.

Posted: March 25, 2009, 11:51 am
by: eltis

Went there a couple weeks ago with a group. First, let me clarify on the directions that after you cross the bridge you turn LEFT into a not very well marked dirt path. The gravel road leads you to the right (and straight ahead of the bridge is mountain) so it is easy to miss.

All three pools were going, albeit not super strong. Top pool had enough flow that the water looked pretty clean. The rest were pretty green, but beautiful to look at. We had some jumpers in wet suits that were entertaining to watch.

Also, when we were leaving, I witnessed a SUV about to get towed. 2 cop cars and a tow truch were in position. ONE tire of this SUV was roughly 1 inch outside the line. Owner was going to have a very bad day. Don't let this happen to you.

Also, be aware that there is a fire hydrant along the roadside where people park. Don't park next to or near it.

Posted: January 2, 2009, 11:29 am
by: Doss805

When i went to three pools yesturday it was not flowwing into the third pool! The water level was down several feet, somthing which i have never witnessed. For some reason the water was flowing around the side of the pool, missing the basin completly.

Posted: September 7, 2008, 2:16 pm
by: Doss805

Three Pools was great today. Water was cold and very refreshing. The first pool was a little dirty but the second pool was flowing great. I recomend that you go in the morning, because other wise it gets REALLY hot on the trial.

Posted: December 29, 2007, 10:56 am
by: waterboy174

Went up to 3 pools yesterday and thought there would be no water. 3 pools if full of running water so don't quit at 7 falls.

Posted: June 10, 2007, 10:57 pm
by: synesthetic

There is a way around. A trail can be found right before you reach the part where you would normally trek up the river bed. This will take you high up for some great views and a fun trail, ultimately leading to the pools (I believe). If you're feeling more adventurous, climb the first wall, then you have to kind of side step from foothold to foothold past the small pools. I'd say go on a weekend afternoon and watch how other people do it.

Update: The river bed is completely dry on the way up but once you get to the end, the last two pools are still deep and very nice. Saw some water snakes in a small pool by the last one.
.

Posted: January 22, 2007, 11:04 am
by: insomniac

how do you get to the pools above 7 falls?

I've been there many times but have never gotten across the first deep pool.. I am usually carrying a camera and dont want to go through it. I've tried climbing the big rock face on the right side of the falls, and once slid down it on my stomach from the near top. eventually I got over that but saw no way to get back down to the creek, and the left side looks nearly impossible to climb over..

anyone wanna give me the tip to get to the pools?

Posted: November 6, 2006, 2:47 pm
by: twaller

Hot today. No water in creek until you get to the first pool. I was getting discouraged but finally heard flowing water! Water was cold but felt great.The water slide was a lot of fun. Found a water snake in the last pool.

Posted: September 29, 2005, 8:56 pm
by: Anonymous

just went up there today and it was amazing!! there is no movement at the last pool but the top two are moving and awsome. bring a bathing suit, and water shoes really help. don't forget the sunblock, i got really badly sunburned today.

Posted: July 31, 2005, 11:30 am
by: Jeff

Went up this morning and there's still a surprising amount of water. All the pools are flowing (none of the "three" are stagnant). The diving pool is nice and deep. Lots of blackflies, though.

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Posted: July 21, 2005, 12:37 pm
by: Anonymous

The three pools trail is a little difficult to follow. We took it on 7/17 and would have given up and turned around several times but luckily another couple came along who knew where they were going. After the large boulder, follow the creek and be careful of poison oak. For a part of the trail the creek bed is totally dry, don't worry and keep going.

Right now, the second and third pool are very nice. The first pool has some stagnant water. The third pool has a natural water slide and I would definately recommend trying it out. [/img]

Posted: June 2, 2005, 11:46 am
by: Jeff

You keep believing that and the rest of us will be much obliged. (It's the best "hoax" in the front country, by the way.)

Posted: June 2, 2005, 12:24 am
by: Anonymous

THERE IS NO IMAGE AND THERE ARE NOT 3 POOLS AFTER 7 FALLS ITS A HOAKS AND RATTLESNAKE TERRITORY YEAR ROUND PASSED THE SEVEN

Posted: March 23, 2005, 7:10 pm
by: Diane

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