Switzer Falls

Switzer Falls is a popular waterfall sitting deep in Arroyo Seco Canyon in the Angeles National Forest.

The first time we visited this falls was in February 2003 (which was supposed to be the height of our wet season), but it had been a dry winter and ended up being a pretty disappointing experience. We came back nearly six years later when the falls were flowing pretty well (thanks to a wet February providing some relief to yet another dry winter) and the experience was almost

The falls is actually a series of waterfalls in a rugged canyon. The upper falls is the main falls sliding some 70ft or so in height with a smaller tier right above it. It's difficult to get a good view of this part of the waterfall because you don't really get a clean view of the falls from the trail (it seems the trees have grown more and obscured what was once a decent view of the top). However, it's very dangerous and ruggedly steep so it's probably not a good idea to attempt to go off trail and get a better look of this part of the falls.

So with that said, there's a lower falls further downstream which the day use trail ends at. It's actually a pair of tiny tiers totaling some 20ft or 25ft tall in all. While we did see someone make it up past these lower falls, it's still a rough and not-recommended scramble to follow the creek further upstream to the base of the main falls.

The hike to the falls is a fairly hilly 3.6 miles return (though it's possible you might have to hike more if the gate at the entrance is closed or you don't show up soon enough in the day to secure a parking spot in the main car park). Most of the up-and-down climbing occurs in the last mile where the trail hugs the cliff and provides gorgeous views of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains wilderness. When the falls has a healthy flow, expect numerous stream crossings (we counted at least over a half-dozen), but when the falls are trickling, then you may wonder what the fuss is about with the stream crossings.

TRIP REPORTS

• March 7, 2010

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Cooper Canyon Falls
• Eaton Canyon Falls
• Millard Falls

Have You Been To This Waterfall?

Share your experience!

Click here to see visitor comments for this waterfall

Click here to see visitor comments for other waterfalls that we've visited in this region

Click here to go to the Comments Main Page