Eaton Canyon Hike

EATON CANYON HIKE

DISTANCE: 3.6 Miles Roundtrip
ELEVATION: 1,463'
ELEVATION GAIN: 486'
TYPE: Out-and-Back
HIKING TIME: 2 Hours
RATING: Easy
FEATURES: 40' Waterfall

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

A delightful 40' water fall greets hikers at the end of this 1.8 miles trail through the Eaton Wash and into Eaton Canyon. The trail is mostly hard packed dirt fire road for the first 3/4 of the trip making it an ideal trek for beginners or parents with small children. Many parents use strollers on the fire road, but it should be pointed out strollers are not recommended past the Wilson Toll Road Bridge as the trail becomes single-track and rocky with several stream crossings. Water flows over the falls year round, but late winter and spring offer the most dramatic views. Summer brings crowds to wade in the pool beneath the falls while fall and winter offer more solitude. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center at the trailhead provides opportunities to learn more about the natural wilderness that surrounds Los Angeles.

Click the full frame icon in the upper right corner for a larger map in a separate window.

Directions to Trailhead

Eaton Canyon Nature Center
1750 N Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107

From the 210 Freeway eastbound, exit at Sierra Madre Boulevard/Altadena Drive. Turn left (north) at the first light (Altadena Drive) and go 1.6 miles to the park entrance. From the 210 Freeway westbound, exit at San Gabriel Boulevard/San Marino. Turn right (north) at the second light (Altadena Drive) and go 1.5 miles to the park entrance. The trailhead is at the north end of the parking lot.

Eaton Canyon Trail Guide
Click for printable .pdf map and trail guide.

Trailhead

The trail begins at the north end of the Nature Center Parking Lot. Proceed
north .18 mile to the Eaton Wash.

Trail Junction 1

When you reach the Eaton Wash cross .05 mile to the opposite bank and
continue to the dirt fire road directly ahead.

Trail Junction 2
Once you have crossed the wash, turn left on the wide dirt fire trail and
continue for approximately 1 mile to the next junction. This section is hard
packed dirt and you will see joggers and parents with strollers enjoying the
sunshine and finding small pockets of shade for picnics.

Land Slide

Just before the next junction you will pass a debris field from a land slide that
took out 50 yards of the Wilson Toll Road above you. The road has been
repaired and since reopened for non-vehicular activities.

Trail Junction 3

Just past the land slide debris field a smaller use path veers off the main trail
   and descends back into the wash. Take this use path and cross under the
   bridge. If you miss this turn and find yourself on the concrete bridge looking
   down into the wash, backtrack to the debris field and look for the use path.

Wilson Toll Road Bridge

Once you cross under the concrete bridge, the landscape changes dramatically
   with more leafy trees and shrubs. At this point you are venturing directly into the
   canyon and will occasionally boulder hop across the small stream that flows
   from the falls. During summer and fall this stream may dry up completely.
   Though the path is still relatively flat, stroller use is not recommended past the
   last junction, though I have seen parents give it the old college try. From here
   the trail climbs gently for roughly .5 mile to the base of the falls.

Eaton Canyon Falls, 40'

Congratulations! You've made it to Eaton Canyon Falls. The falls run just about
   year round, but late winter and spring have the best water flows. The small pool
   at the bottom of the falls is perfect wading and cooling off on hot days.
   Weekends during the summer do get crowded, so make it a weekday hike if
   you can.

When you have finished enjoying the falls, retrace your steps to return to the
parking lot. The best part of the return is it's all down hill.