Eaton Canyon

We had planned on hiking to Hermit Falls in Monrovia today. Parking at the trailhead was ridiculous, and cars had been abandoned for at least a mile along the side of the steep mountain road. Rather than just giving up and returning home, we decided to go to Eaton Canyon Nature Centre in Pasadena instead.

Trail marker sign for Eaton Canyon next to the pathway lined with lush vegetation on both sides

The main carpark was full, but there was a massive overflow with plenty of room.

With our backpack full of water and some snacks, we ventured onto the Eaton Canyon trail.

Wash next to Eaton Canyon trailhead thick vegetation and wild flowers line the bottom of the rocky wash with mountains and dark clouds in the background

The sandy trail ran parallel to the wash. All the spring flowers were in bloom which made the area ablaze with colour.

Eaton Canyon trail meandering through thickets of wild flowers and small trees with mountain and dark clouds beyond

There were quite a few people out, enjoying the spring sunshine—families with young children and a fair few dog walkers.

I hadn’t done any research about the area before we went, as this was an impromptus hike, so I had no idea what to expect.

History of Eaton Canyon

Eaton Canyon is in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and was initially named “El Precipico” by Spanish settlers. It runs on a fault line which was once the main San Andreas Fault.

Mined and used for irrigation, it took on the name Eaton Canyon after Judge Benjamin Eaton who is also linked to the Mt Lowe Railway. (That’s another excellent hike.)

The trail wanders down across a small section of the wash there are rocks and some trees along the sides of the path

The Hike Continues

We came to a “T” junction on the trail. The signs weren’t legible, but most people seemed to be coming and going from the left. So left it was!

Man standing behind tall tree stump there are rubbish bins and signs at the trailhead junction where you can turn left or right.

A few yards along, there was a beautiful area with old trees, and we noticed other trails leading off from the main one.

A small Californian Scrub-Jay bird rests in the branch of a tree on Eaton Canyon Trail — A Californian Scrub-Jay

Continuing, the broad stream to the left was dry. Large river rocks, rounded by thousands of years of fast-flowing water, covered the river bed. It was so peaceful and gorgeous.

Trees line a mostly dried creek bed with large round boulders in Eaton Canyon

We passed signs for Coyote and Walnut Canyons – somewhere to explore another time.

Small sign partly covered by a bush that says Coyote Canyon that intersects with Eaton Canyon Trail

Multiple signs the most visible says Walnut Canyon, which strays off of Eaton Canyon Trail into the mountains

We ventured on, and the trail split again. One went high; the other remained following the water. To our surprise, there was a sign for Eaton Falls.

Bonus!

Eaton Canyon Trail to the Falls

Eaton Canyon Trail splits there is a high trail and a low trail a man is standing near the sign at the intersection and a woman is walking down the lower trail.

So we continued walking on the lower trail, under the footbridge and followed the stream.

Trees line a creek bed filled with rounded boulders with a large bridge overhead spanning the distance of the canyon

There is no set trail. You go with the flow – pun intended!

Small concrete structure next to the stream and mountain with two windows and a man looking inside one of the windows

We passed, what we believe to be a pump-house, and another building further along.

Water from the creek is gently flowing over a small wall with an old pipe sticking out of one side

Another small building half concrete half river rocks with metal door stuck open from dirt debris filling the entryway

The stream/river was quite wide in places, and we had to criss-cross it multiple times. So many, that I lost count.

Makeshift bridges from logs and large rocks kept us serpentining from one side to the other but we were on track and dry. Not to mention, we were wearing waterproof boots, and wouldn’t get wet anyway.

Man crossing a rocky tree lined creek in the canyon

A few people can be seen in the distance with a slow moving creek flowing next to a rock face of the canyon wall

Across the stream, we saw yet another man-made building. It was small and built in the side of the canyon slope—something else to do with the water flow. I have since found out that this was once a deep water tunnel. You can see where the hinges were that held the metal door in place.

Small rock made building in the canyon wall with old metal hinges still left embedded in the sides — A deep water tunnel

Large exposed tree roots stretch down over rocks toward the slow moving creek

Now I had read a little about these falls from other bloggers. I didn’t know you could access them from the Nature Centre. I had read that there is a lot of graffiti and rubbish left, plus it was extremely crowded and could be dangerous! (whatever dangerous means!)

Trees without leaves line the rocky creek bed and one fallen tree blocks the pathway going forward

Woman in hat and jacket carrying phone walks carefully across the shallow water next to rocky canyon wall

If all of that was the case, then the “city” has done a great clean up job. We saw little to no graffiti; the trail was clear from rubbish (we saw one water bottle and a Starbucks cup – both of which we picked up and disposed of properly).

Large exposed tree roots stretch out over the rocky dirt surface of the trail that sits next to a large boulder

Was it busy? Well, yes but not to the extent that it was uncomfortable. When we arrived at the 40-ft falls, there were about fifty or so people there, sitting on the rocks enjoying the sun.

Trail leads past a tree sitting on the edge of the rocky creek the canyon walls loom close on each side and background

LaBelle Cascade

This is the first waterfall, named LaBelle Cascade after Judge Eaton’s daughter. There is another fall further up, but it is far too challenging to get to. Several deaths have occurred of inexperienced climbers who have fallen, and numerous rescues have taken place to the extent that the county has attempted to secure the area.

Area closure notices have been placed on wired fences to discourage people. The fines are pretty hefty too – up to $5000 or six months in jail if you get caught!

Waterfall pours down between two rocky cliff faces into a small clear natural pool — Eaton Falls or LaBelle Cascade

There are around eight significant falls, and several smaller falls the higher into the canyon you go. It’s a shame that there is no track to get to them. The original tunnel which once linked these falls was dynamited in 1979. Perhaps this is what is meant as the “dangerous area”.

Our Takeaway On Eaton Canyon

People were very pleasant and in no way did we feel uncomfortable or in any danger. Children were laughing and playing in the rocks. Several people seemed to be picnicking; others were taking photos and some just sitting – being at one with Nature.

A couple of young girls even went under the falls. If we had been prepared, we might have gone for a dip too.

Two young girls can be seen playing underneath the waterfall — “Girls just wanna have fun!”

We spent about five minutes at the falls. I would have like to have stayed longer, but we had an appointment to get to and wasn’t anticipating on doing this hike.

It took us exactly one hour to return to the overflow parking area at the Nature Centre. I timed it with a stopwatch.

Eaton Canyon Trail is a beautiful hike and suitable for most people. From the bridge to the falls, it is more challenging. It is an excellent place for dog walking. We know Harvey would have loved it.

Although it was busy, it was nice to see so many people enjoying Nature. Let’s face it that is what Pin In The Atlas is all about – encouraging people to get out of the hub-bub and explore.

People can be seen clambering over the large rocky trail with a few trees in-between — Busy trail

If you are in the Pasadena area, we thoroughly recommend this trail. If we had more time, we would have gone into the Nature Centre and gained more information about the trails.

We will be venturing here again to explore the other trails. Maybe even explore one of the many abandoned mines in the area.

IN A NUTSHELL

Address: 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena
Approximately 3.5-miles round trip to falls from the Nature Centre
Loose surface natural tread or paved flood control channel
Further, towards the waterfall, there are multiple creek crossings and rocks
Dog-friendly – must be leashed $150 fines can be given if not adhered to
Allow at least 2 hours from the Nature Centre trailhead
Free parking at Nature Centre
Watch for rattlesnakes and other bities (we didn’t see any)