Mark Girardeau stands at the base of a raging waterfall and marvels at the sight.

“I’ve never seen it flowing like this,” the photographer said, his camera pointed up at Ortega Falls, where liquid the color of chocolate spilled from between the rocks.

He wasn’t alone. All weekend people made the trek down a rocky, slippery trail to check out one of the area’s magnificent waterfalls – a sight mostly unseen during the half-dozen bone-dry years of extreme drought.

“It’s just been disappointing, because there’s been nothing,” said Girardeau, who runs the website orangecountyoutdoors.com.

Recent storms have provided the best waterfall show in recent years, with at least seven likely to be active this week. Many, he points out, offer a bit of calm counter-programming to the congestion and stress of other parts of Orange County.

“It’s just so relaxing and peaceful,” he said. “I think it’s healthy for your mind to see and hear that type of thing. … You don’t have to go far from the city to just get out and enjoy it.”

A mix of people and waterfalls isn’t always a good thing. Bright-colored graffiti frames Ortega Falls, and the trail leading down to the tucked-away area is dotted with litter.

“You can tell that people stop … have lunch and just toss their trash,” Girardeau said.

“Every person that picks up a few pieces of trash, you’re helping a lot,” he added.

In turn, Girardeau is willing to share the secrets of how to get to the area’s most pristine falls.

There’s no telling how long the waterfalls will stick around, so here’s a guide if you want to check them out:

ORTEGA FALLS

You can see the top of this waterfall just as you park on a small patch of dirt alongside Ortega Highway, with waterfall lovers taking an easy walk down a small trail that leads to the water.

It’s a quarter-mile trek to get to this waterfall, which sits just outside Orange County along the winding, scenic road as you enter the Cleveland National Forest in the Lake Elsinore area.

“I still like to consider it Orange County because it’s so close,” he said.

When the water isn’t raging too much, the base of the waterfall forms a small pool with a sandy bottom – perfect for taking a dip on a warm day, if you don’t mind the frigid waters.

“You can get in there and take your shoes off. The water is super clear,” he said.

The bummer part about this waterfall is the human impact – including graffiti marking the rocks around the falls.

“It’s just super disrespectful to Mother Nature,” he said.

Jenny Olsen, a 32-year-old from Corona, was among the flock of people who showed up to check out the falls Saturday – a first for Olsen and her husband, who was taking drone footage of the waterfall.

“I think it’s beautiful. It’s nice to be able to come somewhere close to where you live and see some nature,” she said.

Getting there: (Because of storm damage, Ortega Highway is closed.) From I-5, head east on Ortega Highway (the 74). Pass the Ortega Oaks Candy Store about 20 miles in. One mile past the candy store, there’s a dirt turnout on the left side of the road, likely with other cars parked at the trail entrance. There’s no sign, but you can see the top of the falls from the lot. There are different trails that will take you to various parts of the falls.

SAN JUAN CREEK AND CHIQUITO FALLS

In the same area as Ortega Falls in the Cleveland National Forest, San Juan Creek Falls is accessible along a 2-mile loop hike. The first waterfall, San Juan Creek Falls, is only about 10-15 minutes into the walk on a well-maintained trail that offers greenery and geological features, Girardeau said.

The trail splits to get to Chiquito Falls, a longer 9-mile round-trip hike.

Getting there: (Because of storm damage, Ortega Highway is closed.)From I-5, head east on Ortega Highway (the 74). When you see the Ortega Oaks Candy Store on the right-hand side, park in the lot across the street to start the hike.

TENAJA FALLS

The drive to this waterfall is beautiful in itself, passing Lake Elsinore on one side and thick trees lining the road on the other side.

It’s a single-lane paved road leading into the area, so use caution when driving in. Then, it’s a 2-mile hike round trip to the falls, which are taller than Ortega and San Juan Creek falls. And because it’s harder to get to, there’s less graffiti and trash littering the area.

Getting there: (Because of storm damage, Ortega Highway is closed.)Take same directions along Ortega Highway as Ortega Falls, then go another mile before seeing South Main Divide Road. Take that road about 16 miles. You’ll see a small parking lot on the right.

HOLY JIM FALLS

This is considered one of the best-known waterfalls in Orange County – but you may have to wait until the area dries out before you can enjoy this waterfall, since the trail leading in was shut after recent storms.

“It gets real nasty out there,” Girardeau said.

When it does dry out, it’s a beautiful hike, with a creek flowing alongside the hike toward the falls.

“The whole way you feel like you’re in a rainforest,” he said. “It totally feels like you’re somewhere else, not Orange County. The sound of the creek is awesome.”

This waterfall used to flow year-round, but the past five years it has come to a stop. Even though it’s the smallest waterfall in the area, its scenery makes it a popular destination.

Getting there: From I-5, exit at Alicia Parkway heading east, then turn right onto Santa Margarita Parkway. Turn left on Plano Trabuco Road, then turn right on a dirt road, Trabuco Creek Road. From there, it’s a 3-mile round trek to the waterfalls.

TRABUCO FALLS

This hidden gem is on the same route as Holy Jim, but along Trabuco Creek Road there’s a cutout that leads to a 40- to 50-foot waterfall.

“It’s barely known. There’s no signs or anything. It’s one of those you have to explore and try and find it,” Girardeau said.

DANA POINT WATERFALL

This man-made waterfall is the easiest to view and has been raging during recent storms, and the internet has been flooded with people taking videos and selfies next to it when it flows.

“For anyone who doesn’t want to hike or go off-roading, it’s a super easy waterfall to get to,” he said. “You can actually sit in your car and enjoy it.”

There’s a catch: You pretty much have to go while it’s raining or just after, because it quickly downgrades to a trickle and then dries up.

It’s a tropical setting with palm trees and lush landscape surrounding it, just across from the Dana Point Harbor. But don’t let looks fool you – it’s basically urban runoff.

“As long as you see it without going in, it’s actually super nice. You wouldn’t even know it’s dirty,” he said.

Getting there: From I-5, take Pacific Coast Highway toward Doheny State Beach. Make a left at Dana Point Harbor Drive, park at Baby Beach in the harbor and look across the road at the falls. Pay attention to parking restrictions along the road, and don’t get too close to the water when it has a strong flow. It can be dangerous.

BLACK STAR FALLS

This is one of the area’s hardest-to-reach waterfalls, a 7-mile round trip best for a day hike that requires some boulder scrambling. The second half of the hike is up a creek bed.

“You have to climb over huge boulders. When it’s wet, it’s kind of dangerous,” he said.

Two months ago, it was “bone dry,” Girardeau said.

This week, it’s flowing.

Getting there: From Orange, go up Chapman, which turns into Santiago Canyon Road. Pass Irvine Lake and make a left on Silverado Canyon Road, then a left on Blackstar Canyon Road. There’s free parking on the side of the road about a mile up at a dead end marked by a gate.

Contact the writer: lconnelly@scng.com