Hiking Eaton Canyon

A relatively easy, >4 mile hike up a canyon in the lower San Gabriels to a 40-foot waterfall. This popular trail can get crowded on the weekends, but is still worth a visit – especially in the spring when wildflowers take over the lower portions of the canyon floor. Suitable for adventurous beginners, this trail has several stream crossings, and optional, MUCH more strenuous trails to the top of the falls, as well as another moderate trail on fire roads and single tracks through some of the eastern nature preserve outside the canyon. A must-see for waterfall lovers, even if you have to fight for a good view.

The Basics:

- Distance: 3.76 miles
- Elevation Gain: About 400 feet
- Time: About 90 minutes, depending on how long you want to linger at the falls or explore the meadows
- Trail Condition: Very good. Trails are heavily traveled and easily spotted. The major junction with the trail that heads toward the waterfall is clearly marked, and the official Eaton Canyon Trail has signs, but there are several use trails that spur off the main path that are unmarked. Stick to the main path for this hike, or explore the surrounding meadows and natural areas.
- How To get There: From the 210, take the Sierra Madre Blvd / Altadena Dr exit and head north. The park’s entrance will be on your right in 1.7 miles.

- Map Trailhead

The Notables:

- A 40-foot, mostly year-round flowing waterfall
- Large swaths of wildflowers near the canyon’s mouth in spring
- Multiple stream crossings
- Relatively close to “civilization”
- Nature Center with docent-led hikes, open from 9AM to 5PM daily

More Pictures:

- on Flickr

Eaton Canyon is one of those must-see hiking areas of L.A., both because the waterfall is actually impressive by San Gabriel standards, and that it’s so darn close to the city that you really don’t have any excuses not to go. The trail is easy to follow, and as long as you can hop across some boulders in a river (or have some hiking sandals to wade through), you’ll be just fine getting through the hike.

If you’re lucky enough to hike this area during the springtime, you may also get to see some great blooms near the trailhead.

The lower stretches of this trail are pretty level, and wind through some brush and chaparral on the way to Eaton Canyon Creek.

After that, it’s easy fire road hiking as the route follows just above the banks of the wide, rocky wash of the actual creek. Here, the trail gets a bit more verdant, and you may be able to spot a few more wildflower blooms along the way.

At about 0.6 miles, veer left on the Eaton Canyon Trail, heading toward the sign marked WATERFALL. It’s pretty clear. At just about the 1.2 mile mark, you’ll reach another junction, in sight of a concrete bridge. Here, head left again and follow the trail as it descends from the wider track and dips beneath the bridge.

From here on out, the trail is single-track, rocky, and prone to crossing the creek … a LOT. So get your balance ready, or make sure that extra pair of socks is secure in your pack, then continue on. At about the 1.8 mile mark, you’ll make a sharp bend in the canyon, turning west, and get your first view of the falls. From there, it’s just two more rocky crossings …

… and then you’re there!

Hopefully, you’ll be able to get a little bit of peace and quiet to yourself … but even if it’s crowded, you’ll be able to enjoy the sight and sounds of falling water and the feeling of cool mist. They’re naturally relaxing, and if it’s hot, you can even take a dip in a small pool at the base of the falls.

Return the way you came.

If you’re looking for adventure, right after that sharp bend in the canyon before the falls, there is a faint but distinct use-trail leading up a very steep canyon wall, that looks like this:

If you want to try your hand at some very strenuous scrambling, you can give this side-trail a go at your own risk. I haven’t done it personally, but I did see a small group coming down, and it looked like at least a class 2.5 scramble — maybe even 3 in parts (requiring the use of hands and feet, steep drop offs, etc).

However, you should be aware that by trying to scramble to the top of the waterfall, you are very literally putting your life at risk. I know experienced hikers who have done this trail without any problem, but I have also read several stories about inexperienced hikers who discovered this little off-trail route was the last trail they’d ever hike. Go at your own risk and assume it’s more difficult than you think it is.

If you want to extend this trip but don’t want to risk life and limb, hang a left at the trail junction just past the bridge, and head up the steep incline of the old Mount Wilson Toll Road toward Henninger Flats. There will be a trail that leads back down Walnut Canyon to near the Eaton Canyon visitor’s center. For more information, check out the venerable Dan Simpson’s page on the canyon.

Tagged as: california, eaton canyon, eaton canyon falls, Hiking, Pasadena, Waterfall