Special Topics World's Best Waterfalls Waterfalls In The USA Regions Special States Special Parks Waterfalls Around The World The Americas Asia Oceania Europe and Africa Waterfall Community
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. 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. 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 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.
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Trash and Water
We have decided to start hiking this Summer to embrace nature and give us something to do. So we purchased a book which lists several hiking trails that ...
We went on May 24th, 2008 and had the pleasure of seeing a ...
Slippery and wet (Eaton Canyon Falls)
Not rated yet
It was beautiful! The hike was easy outside of a few slips. Arriving @ the fall was well worth it. Breath taking. First time ever hearing about it. Can'...
I am certain that Eaton Fall is at least 50 feet based on my personal experience; and the guy who wrote "Trails of the Angeles" says it is 60 ...
Eaton Canyon Falls
Not rated yet
Nice Falls !!. Hike was easy . the last 1/2 mile to the falls is more difficult. Go in the morning cause it can be crowded.
A natural wonder
Not rated yet
Our first trip to an actual waterfall. This was better than we expected. It is a challenging hike for beginners but so worth it. Definitely recommend it ...
Amazing Experience (Eaton Canyon Falls)
Not rated yet
We took our family on a hike to see Eaton Canyon Falls in June 2009. On the hike we saw many interesting animals like a blue tailed skink lizard, frogs ...
First, thanks for this cool website its nice to know about hidden gems in our backyard. We went on May 24th, 2008 and had the pleasure of seeing a running stream all the way...[more]
Moon Walking & Rock Slides
We would climb up the falls along the crevice to the left of the falls all the way up then over to the chute to the left of the falls and run down the gravel chute...[more]
CMarie (Upper Escondido Falls)
This hike is AMAZING! I was happy going through this trail with a few friends as it was quite pretty.The road up is a long one and there were...[more]
Burney Falls - Burney, California
Glad to know there are waterfall lovers like myself. I am enjoying the website. I thought I would post to you a picture of a waterfall in California that is...[more]
Three Sisters Waterfall - San Diego, CA
I was so surprised not to see the Three Sisters Waterfall in Descanso, CA (San Diego County) on your list & then remembered it's a fairly well kept secret...[more]
Heart Rock Falls
I absolutely loved the scenery of this whole hike and destination. It was very confusing to get there and we had to make a few U-Turns, but it was definitely worth...[more]
Blackstar Canyon - Hidden Falls of Orange County
About a year ago, I was given a newspaper article describing these hidden falls in Orange County. The article itself did not specify the exact location, so I did some hunting online...[more]
Emerald Falls (near Fillmore, CA)
Here is what I can only assume is called "Emerald Falls" just north of Filmore in Southern California. (In Los Padres National Forest) I think it is hands down...[more]