Come along with us on a hike to Eaton Canyon Falls.
The trail starts at the end of the parking lot in front of the Eaton Canyon Nature Center. It is 1.5 miles to the falls.
The trail soon dips down into a wide and rocky arroyo. A seasonal stream flows at the arroyo bottom. This the first of many stream crossings.
Once on the other side of the arroyo, we were treated to an inviting stretch of oak- lined trail.
Sycamores, oaks and lots of sage. The trail continues north skirting the east side of the arroyo. Some shade along the way, but mostly the trail is in the sun.
Every now and then you can see (and hear) the stream from the trail. This picture is taken just south of the (Mt. Wilson) toll road bridge. The arroyo is still very wide at this point.
Sign along the trail as we go under the bridge. Ain’t it the truth.
On top of the bridge looking south.
OK. We’ve gone under the toll road bridge. This picture was taken looking back toward the bridge. It is cool and shady. The rock wall to the right foreshadows what is coming up. The canyon gets increasingly narrower from here on.
Look closely. That’s a millipede curled up in the hollowed end of a log. You know they only have a few hundred legs; not a thousand.
Very quickly the trail leads to some absolutely stunning scenes.
As the canyon narrows and the stream winds around solid rock walls, the trail jumps from one side of the stream to the other. Here we’re crossing from the left side to catch the trail again on the right side.
Then crossing back to the other side. There are lots of big boulders and logs to help at the stream crossings. But, unless you are very nimble, you’re going to get wet.
Into the canyon. The falls are around the corner and I can almost hear the roar of rushing water.
A short scramble over some boulders and after crossing the stream again, we’ve arrived.
The falls drops about 40 to 50 feet into a shallow round pool. The pool is just right for wading and on a hot day the cool water is refereshing. You can edge toward the falls and feel the mist of the falling water. Then, after you’re done with the pool, you can lay back on warm rocks to dry. All in all, great hike and destination.
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