Possibly the most popular waterfall hike in Los Angeles, this hike takes you to a spot popular for canyoneering.
Eaton Canyon is probably the most popular waterfall hike in Southern California. While it has several water crossings, it is one of the easier hikes in the area and often filled with children and dogs. The trek is often, at most, just under 4 miles with little elevation gain.
The distance of the hike is often contingent on where you park. Due to the droves of hikers on this trail, parking is often at a premium. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center appears to be the most centralized parking spot, however there is street parking available closer to the falls.
While it was crowded, I still found it to be an enjoyable experience. The trails were wide enough that I could easily go around any bottlenecks. After a few days of rain, the water flow is substantial and can drown out the sounds of the crowd at the falls.
This is also a popular spot for canyoneering and I was fortunate enough to observe a group repelling from the top to the bottom of the falls. This appears to be a frequent occurrence, so you may just be fortunate to witness.
Know Before You Go
The first part of the trail is exposed to the sun, ensure that you have plenty of water and sunblock.
Once the sun goes down, the temperature drops - be sure to wear layers.
After substantial rain, the water flow will increase - use caution when crossing water. Prepare to get your feet wet.
Some of the rocks and logs are a bit unstable at the water crossings, sneakers with good traction are recommended.
Know the look of poison oak and avoid it at all costs.
This hike gets extremely crowded, so prepare for parking challenges and difficulty getting a clear view of the falls.
Resources
Location
Easily accessible moments off of the 210 Freeway in Pasadena. The easiest way to find parking is to enter "Eaton Canyon Nature Center" into your mapping software and parking there.
Video
The video below was taken on an iPhone while hiking, so apologize for any shakiness. The video features an individual repelling down the waterfall via rope.
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