Eaton Canyon Falls

Eaton Canyon Falls is a 40 foot waterfall located just outside Pasadena California. It was one of the first hikes I did when I moved to Southern California 2 years ago and definitely one of the most beautiful. The hike to the falls is less than 4 miles round-trip on a well maintained trail, so it’s perfectly suitable for novice hikers and kids. The waterfall is one of the best in the San Gabriel Mountains, and also one of the most heavily visited. On the weekends, you can pretty much guarantee that you’re going to have a lot of company on the trail. The falls are a very popular hangout spot for the local college kids, so you may have to tolerate whatever terrible music they’re blasting. I had to endure a 90 minute medley of Katy Perry and Lady GaGa. The trailhead starts at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. The wide trail heads down into the canyon through the chaparral and brush to the creek. A fire road follows the creek wash upstream. Veer left onto the Eaton Canyon Trail and follow it until you come to a large concrete bridge. When you reach the bridge, head left again and follow the trail under the bridge and continue upstream. From this point, the canyon narrows and you will have to do some rock hopping over the creek. The trail ends at the base of the waterfall. There is a side trail that leads to the top of Eaton Falls, but it is extremely treacherous. There is a decent sized pool at the base of the falls. It’s just deep enough for swimming, if you can tolerate the icy cold water. From the 210, take the Sierra Madre Blvd / Altadena Drive exit and head north. The park’s entrance will be on your right in 1.7 miles.

Dont attempt to hike to the top of the waterfall unless you have a deathwish.