Third Stream Crossing Falls

Hiked: 7/17/2020
Distance: 8 miles round trip on trail, use trail, and cross country
Summit Elevation: 5429' at Falls
Elevation Gain: 2050'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.6
Round trip time: 4 hours 45 minutes
Recommended water: 80 oz.
Parking/Fees: Adventure Pass at Middle Fork Lytle Creek trailhead
Difficulty: Moderate

I headed out to explore a couple of different sections of the Middle Fork of Lytle Creek, but the main goal was Third Stream Crossing Falls. It is a multi-tiered falls more than 100' high. The drive to the trailhead included a couple miles of dirt road with many potholes but otherwise good condition. A couple of sedans made it to the trailhead, but I recommend high clearance. I was the fourth car at the trailhead and all the parties I met on the trail were also headed to the falls.

The trail is in great shape and climbs steadily at reasonable angles. About a mile and change in, the trail splits into a lower trail and upper trail. They merge just before the third stream crossing. Since this was my first time in the area, I took the upper trail. When I reached the third crossing, I decided to head upstream to check out the Middle Fork proper (note: this added at least a mile to the hike compared to just going to the falls). It was mostly wide and clear with easily bypassed obstacles. I went up a little more than half a mile and it still looked clear ahead. Then, I dropped back down and continued downstream past the trail about 200'. On the right was a tributary with high walls as described in Sean Green's report. After a quarter mile of easy scrambling, I reached the bottom of the falls. Water was flowing strongly over the falls into a large pool a few feet deep. A cool mist rose in a radius around the bottom.

Three other hikers were at the falls and we chatted briefly. As they departed, I noticed they started up a steep use trail right of the falls. At first, I thought maybe it was a trail that bypassed the rocks, but when I checked it out, I saw it circled above the falls. The trail was loose dirt and scree at 45 degrees. I followed the hikers up to a ridge where they were resting and enjoying the view. I continued up the use trail on class 2+ rock and scree, while the other hikers turned back. Near the top of the bump, the trail dropped about 100' back to the top of the falls. I crept up to the edge on the both sides of the falls looking for the best vantage point. After some photos, I reversed course and headed back, butt sliding one section of the descent to the bottom of the falls. I plan to head back later in the year for more exploration of Lytle Creek.