Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine

Our hike starts at Millard Canyon campground parking area. So with our America the Beautiful pass hanging from the rear-view mirror, and our backpack loaded, we were off to explore Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine.

Large tarmac parking area with trees and the trailhead to Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine — Millard Canyon Campground Parking

The trail is easy and follows the stream, taking us through the campground. We were surprised to see just how many people had pitched their tents.

Wooden signpost with lettering stating hiking trails — Trail sign to Millard Falls

The fire road stays straight, and through the stream before winding up a hill. The trail we wanted turned right and into the canyon before the water crossing.

Trail following a stream into wooded area. Dead branches logs and large boulders are on the dirt trail to Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine — Follow the stream

We followed it up to our first obstacle, a stone retaining wall. It was easy to climb, being only a few feet high.

Retaining wall made of large river rocks crosses the wooded trail. A stream and small waterfall are on the left — Up and over the retaining wall

Dirt trail running parallel to a stream leading into a wooded canyon of Millard Canyon Falls to Dawn Mine — The trail runs along side of the stream and is easy to follow

Man in cowboy hat, balancing on logs which is a make shift bridge crossing a flowing stream in a wooded canyon — Steven navigating the stream

Heading deeper into the canyon, we crisscrossed the stream, and the first thing we came to indicating mining was a large stone doorway. I believe it was once a water tunnel. Now it sits almost hidden by the foliage growing up around it.

Concrete doorway cut into the canyon wall, once used as a water tunnel for mining. The dirt pathway leading to it is getting overgrown with woodland plants — Water tunnel

Why Is It Named Millard Canyon?

In the early days, it was once known as Church Canyon, and along with Las Flores Canyon, were amongst the first to be mined in the area.

A dead tree has fallen across the woodland trail at an angle. The canyon wall is to the left of the trail, and large boulders and rocks to the right in this woodland setting — A dead tree fallen across the path

It is named after Henry W Millard who homesteaded in the canyon in 1862 and it is said that his wife and children are buried somewhere in the ravine.

We, however, did not see any headstones or graves to verify this. With all the rain and undergrowth through the years, it may be challenging to locate them, if indeed they are out there.

Stone steps made from river rocks are part of the trail leading to Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine — In some areas the trail has stone steps

Millard Falls

Millard Falls is an impressive 50-feet high cascade of water. It tumbles between large precariously placed boulders down into a small, shallow crystal clear pool and looks similar to Eaton Falls.

Waterfall cascading over rocks into a pool below at Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine — Millard Falls

Most people spend some time here, soaking in the views before turning around. We, on the other hand, like to see what else there is to explore.

I had read from another blogger that there is a way to get to Dawn Mine from here.

Heading To Dawn Mine

We turned back for a short distance and climbed up the canyon wall towards an unmarked path. There was a white post by a tree. I believe that this was once the original trail.

Large tree on a steep bank of the canyon — Backtracking from the falls, there is a post on the left

Lady making her way up a steep canyon with no marked trail. The ground is uneven and loose. The vertical canyon wall to the left has tree roots growing from it — The old trail is steeper than it looks and the footing is very loose

This trail was virtually non-existent in some locations, and we had to manoeuvre through thick bushes and clamber over downed trees.

Lady walking on a ver narrow trail with a sheer drop to one side and a steep sloping canyon wall to the other. Rusting water pipe runs along side the dirt path to Millard Canyon Falls to Dawn Mine — Narrow trail following water pipes of the mining era

The Scary Part

Not to mention, we had to cross the 50ft high Millard Fall, just as it spills off the edge of the earth. Somewhat scary.

Lady hanging onto tree branches as she crosses the top of the waterfall. There are logs across the fast flowing stream used as a makeshift bridge — Crossing the top of the waterfall

There is more than just one route in, of course. We just happened to be on the more challenging trail. But the scenery is well worth it. The spring rushing over boulders and echoing off the thickets of trees surrounding the banks is incredible to sit and listen.

Wide fast flowing stream cascading down some rocks. Dead trees have fallen along the side and one is floating in the water in this wooded area of Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine — A good place to stop for a bite to eat. Mind the fire ants!

We stopped to have lunch in this peaceful clearing and let nature be the soundtrack.

Dense woodland and no trail — The trail disappears

The further in we went, the more we started to wonder, what in the world is out here and have we come the right way?

Man in the cowboy hat is almost to the other side of the fast flowing stream. Woodland and large boulders cross his path — The trail appears on the side of the stream

Sometimes we had to guess where the trail was.

Man climbing over two large fallen trees which have blocked the trail in the woodland area of Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine — Nothing can stand in his way!

And then we began to see hints of the past and more mining remnants.

Remains of a cement dam crossing the stream in the woods of the canyon — Remains of a dam

Finally, there were signs of civilization like a trail sign with an arrow.

A trail marker with a large arrow points the way. A tree has fallen across the main trail — This is the first trail marker that you follow

There is a point where the trail we took and another more heavily trafficked trail meet up and continue following the water upstream.

The fast flowing streams rushes over large rocks resembling a water slide — This reminds us of a waterslide.

The rest of the way is quite easy to follow, and the terrain is breathtaking.

There were more water crossings, some with bridges, and even a ramp running alongside one of the old mining pipes.

Hand made wooden bridge approximately three feet wide crossing the stream in the woods of the canyon — One of the better made wooden bridges

Man walking down a make shift wooden ramp giving him access from the top part of the hiking trail to the lower part. An old water pipe from the mining era follows the same course — Make shift wooden ramp

The Mine

Winding our way uphill, we came to a sign pointing towards Dawn Mine.

An ore cart left abandoned, brought down by the heavy rains, meant we were getting closer.

Ore Cart which has been brought down with decades of heavy rains is left to rot in the flash flood part of the canyon — Ore Cart which has been brought down with decades of heavy rains

Down across a gully, an old mining engine and metal framework are visible jutting out of the side of a sheer rockface.

A gully near the top of a canyon. there are trees and large boulders in an open area — Down into the gully, the mine is well hidden

Enthusiasm renewed (we both had started feeling the effects of exhaustion) with one last stream crossing, we arrived.

Two steel I Beams jet out of a cement slab with an old mechanical part bolted down to it along the side of a rock face — Remains of an old mining engine

Old machinery bolted down to a concrete slab on the edge of a mountain — Reminds me of a canon

The mines entrance is hidden behind a large boulder, so it is easy to overlook.

Rocky Mountain side hides the entrance to a well camouflaged mine — The mine entrance is hidden from view behind a huge boulder

The mine entrance is sealed due to vandalism and obvious mining dangers 2017. On this day, it was flooded and almost filled with debris, looking much smaller than we had expected.

Gated mine entrance filled with water and years of dirt debris — The mine entrance is gated for safety purposes and is partially flooded

The History of Dawn Mine

Built in 1895 by Bradford Peck who named the mine after a friends daughter “Dawn Ehrenfield”- He mined gold for seven years. In 1902 Michael T. Ryan, an Australian miner, developed the mine further, adding more tunnels and a trail to Mount Lowe Railway. His two burros, Jack and Jill, used to haul the ore to Dawn Station – a small shelter. From there it was loaded onto the railway and taken to the valley to be processed.

Steep mountain side sloping down into a small valley lined with Trees and boulders laying in the bottom by the stream — View from the mineshaft

Ryan died in 1929. It wasn’t until 1933 that his wife leased the mine to three other prospectors. Although gold was found, the “mother load” was never discovered.

Other prospectors tried their luck, but to no avail and the mine was closed in 1954.

Return Trek

After spending some time exploring the area, we sat for one last break before our return journey.

We decided to take the more widely used trail when we approached the intersection. With our legs feeling more tired than usual, crossing over the waterfall again didn’t sound appealing.

Trail sign reads Tom Sloan Saddle, Mt Lowe Road (Dawn Station) and Sunset Ridge (Parking) trail directions — We took the Sunset Ridge Trail back to the campground

Following the Sunset Ridge trail, we passed a few old cabins and crossing the iron bridge; we were just moments away from a surprise that made our day.

Old wrought iron bridge spanning a small dry stream bed with sizeable tree and metal piping in the foreground — An old wrought iron bridge

Two Alpacas named Puck and Pyramus. Look at those faces. Genuinely adorable! Not what you’d expect to see hiking from Millard Canyon Falls to Dawn Mine!

1 adult and 1 young alpaca with lead standing along side small dirt trail out for a walk — Puck and Pyramus

After lots of tickles, we continued on the trail which merged with an old asphalt road and some information signs about Echo Mountain and Mt Lowe Railway.

Two information signs placed at the junction of a paved road and dirt trail with dark clouds and mountain in the background — Follow the round down hill

Small trailhead sign indicating Millard Canyon, Echo Mountain and Mt Lowe and Mt Wilson Rd. trailheads on the Millard Canyon and Dawn mine hike — Turning right heading back into the canyon to Millard Campground 0.8-mile

About a quarter of a mile or so down the hill, we came to a small wooden sign pointing us back to the Millard Canyon Campground.

Small dirt trail sloping down a mountain side full of vegetation on both sides of trail — A steep trail heads back to the campground

This path was steep and took us down to a fire road.

Turning left we continued, joining the trail we came in on. And back through the campground until we reached the parking area; thus ending another successful outing.

Curved gravel road with small trail intersecting at the apex of Millard Canyon and Dawn Mine. Large trees bushes and grass surrounds the road — Turn left to get to the campground

Our Takeaway On Millard Canyon Falls And Dawn Mine

We tackled two hikes in one on a mostly overcast day that was relatively mild temperature-wise.

It still exhausted both of us. After the waterfall, we took a very challenging section of the trail. If you decide to go the same way, don’t go alone. There are sections where you can fall and get seriously injured. There was little to no cell service, and we didn’t see anyone else on that whole section. (Most people don’t know about it.)

It was a beautiful and very peaceful hike that we do highly recommend. Bring your camera and a packed lunch because you will want to enjoy a picnic with nature.

MilLard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine – in a nutshell

An Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful pass is required
Park at Millard Canyon Campground
Poison oak
Lots of stream crossings
Falls and Dawn Mine approx 6-mile round trip
Bear country – we didn’t see any
Insect repellant advised
Little to no cell service
These hikes can be done separately. Dawn Mine can be accessed from the Sunset Ridge trailhead which you would have passed to get to Millard Campground
Leave no trace. Pack it in – pack it out