Eaton Canyon Falls

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Eaton Canyon Falls

Twas’ a glorious California day… warm, sunny skies. Time to get out for a good stretch of the legs but I had standards to be met… ease of travel, solitude, and a destination that included streams and waterfalls. With that in mind I opted for my first choice… Pasadena. Whoa! Am I nuts? Here in the middle of a metropolis I expect to find this?

I knew about the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, but in all my years living here, had never taken the plunge. After some quick internet research it sounded like it was worth the drive. It was.

Located at the base of Mt. Wilson with over 6 miles of trails you begin your journey with an epic Los Angeles problem… parking. Be forewarned that on the weekends parking is problematic. It took us 20 minutes to get a space, but we persevered.

Off the parking lot is a great little nature center where you can ask questions and get info from the rangers. It also has a neat little museum with great hands on stuff for the kids and adults. There is also a gift shop (reasonably priced), which for some reason is closed on Sunday meaning your little one can’t buy that cute Indian bracelet even though there is someone behind the counter. Go figure.

Leave the center and head north up the main trail. It is an easy trail, though a bit dusty because it is so well traveled. The canyon is very lush and has beautiful displays of local flora and fauna including magnificent oak groves. It takes about 15-20 minutes to reach the jumping off spot of your destination… an old steel bridge. Notice a sign pointing to the Eaton Canyon Falls. This fork takes you under the bridge and you emerge on a stream.

At this point the trail ends. Head north up the stream. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Do not drink out of the stream. Kids of all ages have fun scampering over the rocks in search of the falls. To my distress I notice graffiti on some rocks and trash. I figure many hikers have not heard the phrase “take only photos and leave only footprints”. Yet even that cannot detract from the beauty of this canyon.

We continue up, stopping for lunch. I notice one couple hiking back with a bag of trash they had collected. I congratulate them for their fortitude and continue on. After awhile you hear roar of the falls and it acts like a siren drawing you in. The stream continues to switchback on itself but we push forward and the falls finally come into view, and what a view it is. You are in a tight canyon covered in trees and very well shaded. The falls are tall, maybe 75 feet, and loud. There is a shallow, calm pool at the base of the falls that allows us to go right to the base safely. There were maybe 15 other hikers around us staking out various rocks with which to enjoy the view, all with their own reasons for seeking this out.

After some well-deserved solitude and water play it is time to head back down. Down is faster than up and we find ourselves almost racing back We check out the center one last time as we now have first-hand knowledge and the exhibits take on new meaning. We pile into the car and say goodbye to a wonderful destination in the heart of a metropolis. A good time was had by all.

(Note: Do your share and take along a plastic bag to pick up some of the trash on your way down, helping to preserve this little treasure)

Related Links:

Nature Centers

Hiking Essentials

Hiking Safety

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