Eaton Canyon Falls

Angeles National Forest / Pasadena / Altadena / Los Angeles County, California, USA
Rating: 2     Difficulty: 2.5 Eaton Canyon Falls is a pleasant rare year-round waterfall dropping some 30ft or so with a rock wedged right at its brink.

We can vouch for the year-round characteristic of this waterfall because we've made an October visit here following Los Angeles' worst fire during yet another prolonged period of low-rain Winters and very hot Summers. So that's saying something about how special this waterfall is, and in fact, we even included it in our Southern California Top 10 Waterfalls List. However, being close to Pasadena it is an immensely popular local attraction and thus it also has a history of suffering from urban blight.

Such was the case when Julie and I first visited this waterfall way back in 2001. There was graffiti on several rocks along the trail to the falls and even one on that rock wedged at the top of the falls. On a subsequent trip several years later, the caretakers of the area did a great job sandblasting and painting over the graffiti. Still, I reckon it's an ongoing and unpleasant job, and it's too bad some immature gangsters have to exhibit their machismo tendencies and do their best to ruin things for everyone else. Our third trip in October of 2009 illustrated this fact when some of the graffiti started showing up again (at least it wasn't as bad as it was on our first trip though).

From the well-signed Eaton Canyon Nature Center parking area, the trail follows an open shrub area briefly crossing the usually dry wash before following the east bank up into the mouth of the gorge for the first 3/4-mile or so. Eventually, the trail and wash narrows past a bridge (this bridge allows some locals in the know to reduce the hike by starting closer to the canyon than at the Nature Center, but that's kind of cheating and taking away from the experience, we think).

At this point, the trail follows the stream (that seemingly suddenly appears) within the mostly shady canyon. The trail crosses this stream a handful of times. Usually, you can get through them without getting your feet wet by a little bit of nifty rock hopping. But if you're unsure about your dexterity and balance, then a hiking stick might help you out in those sections.

In addition to the stream crossings, there may be a few more minor obstacles involving a mini-climb here or there along with unforeseen detours. Eventually after about a half-mile or so into the canyon, the trail ends right before the Eaton Canyon Falls. The overall length of the trail is about 1.5 miles each way (or 3 miles round trip; assuming you didn't take the shortcut).

The falls is usually very popular on the weekends so it's not often you have this place to yourself. Still, it's a great introductory hike to one of Los Angeles County's more scenic spots, and I'm sure it'll draw a few pleasantly surprised reactions from those who haven't seen waterfalls in the local area before.

Directions: To visit this waterfall, look for the Altadena Drive exit (if you're headed east) or the Sierra Madre exit (if you're headed west) along the 210 Freeway. Then, drive north on Altadena Drive about 1.6 miles to the Eaton Canyon County Park, which is on the right.




[Back to top]

PHOTO JOURNAL

The busy trailhead

Approaching the bridge at the end of the wash and the mouth of the canyon

One of a handful of stream crossings; hiking sticks recommended if you have a baby in tow

Graffiti along the trail

Deep in the canyon

It can get pretty busy here

Contextual view of the falls (in February 2012)

A dog having a howling good time at the Eaton Canyon Falls

Taking a trip down memory lane. Approaching the falls in 2001.


[Back to top]

VIDEOS OF THE FALLS

Having fun checking out the dog enjoying a swim at the base of the falls


Left to right sweep of the falls starting from the crowd relaxing at the falls to the canyon above the falls itself as seen from the furthest end of the amphitheater


[Back to top]

MAP OF THE FALLS

View World of Waterfalls in a larger map




[Back to top]

TRIP REPORTS

For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.

• October 17, 2009
• February 4, 2012
• March 24, 2012

[Back to top]

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

[Back to top]

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Sturtevant Falls
• Monrovia Canyon Falls
• Millard Falls
• Switzer Falls

[Back to top]

[Go to the Southern California Waterfalls Page]

[Go to the California Page]

[Return from Eaton Canyon Falls to the World of Waterfalls Home Page]