I used to visit my grand parents in Altadena, Ca all the time before they passed. I had know idea that there was a hiking trail 5 minutes away from their home. So it was a pleasant surprise to pass by there old home on to the way to Eaton Canyon. I love traveling to other places but sometimes its nice to explore your own city!
We parked on the street but there is a parking and a overflow lot available to the public. My sister and I arrived at 9:30 am but didn’t start hiking until 10:30 due to my family arriving on Color People time (term used when black people can’t make it on time). At this point we now have 4 adults and 3 children (ages 8, 3, 4).
The trail is a 3.5 hike and can take about an hour and a half to reach the trails depending on how fast or slow you walk. Remember to wear tennis shoes and bring plenty of water.
The trail started off easy and the weather was nice because it was overcast. This was perfect because heat and hiking don’t mix well. Along the trail we saw people riding horses, different types of dogs, small coyotes, beetles and dragon flies. Due to the fact that my family doesn’t hike and we brought the little ones along, we stopped several times to catch our breathe, enjoy the scenery and bathroom breaks. Bathrooms are not available on the trail, so I hope you know how to “pop a squat” (squatting to use the bathroom in a non-designated bathroom).
The trial involves walking along streams, hopefully you are good at stepping on stones to get across. Don’t worry, if you happen to slip off a rock, your tennis shoes will only get mildly wet.
Halfway there you will come to small stream of water, admire but keep going. Walk a little further and you will have to navigate across small and big rocks. If you have little children it can be a bit more difficult because you will have to hold them to go across the rocks.
After walking for about an hour and a half, I was like a kid on a road trip wondering when i was going to reach the top. Without hearing my thoughts, a kid coming down from the top, hollered out “Keep going you’re almost to the waterfalls”. That was strength I needed to make it to the waterfalls.
Finally reached the falls and it was lots of people sitting around with there families or friends. If you are looking for quiet peaceful place, this may not be your scene. Although it wasn’t what I consider peaceful, I enjoyed the noise and the sound of the waterfalls. The waterfall was great because more people were happy to enjoy the waterfall afar instead of getting in the water. Great for me because I was able to feel the refreshing water on top of me and obtain some great photos. If you are in southern Cali, enjoy hiking and love water, I definitely recommend Eaton Canyon.
Thanks for the info. If ever in SOCal I will definitely check it out.
Thanks for reading! Yes let me know if you are ever in my area!
I have never been hiking so I would love to do this! It’s sounds so fun and peaceful with the waterfalls. I love your pics and thanks for sharing.
I rarely go hiking but i thought it would be a great family outing as well as great exercise. The waterfall at the top was the cherry on top.
I’m not much of a hiker but all these pictures of water just might change my mind.
I am not a hiker either, that is what attracted me to this trail. I’m a sucker for waterfalls.
I miss being in an environment with waterfalls! I absolutely loved the ones at El Yunque in Puerto Rico. I’ve only been to California one time (a little over a year ago) but this is definitely a reason to return sooner than later!
I loved the water falls in El Yunque as well, it seemed like were hiking forever on the trail. But the dip in the waterfalls made it worth it. Let me know if you ever head back to Cali
Looks like the end of your hike was worth it!!!
Totally worth it!
I’ve never really looked to see if there was hiking in my area, but I’ve always wanted to go.
Check in your city, I’m pretty sure you can find some great hiking trails.
I love traveling the world through your blog!
Thank you so much affirms the mission of these blog. Take others on my journey or convince them to go on a journey.
Great post. I love the idea of hiking and running into a waterfall! Beautiful!
Thanks so much for reading! I often travel to other places but its nice, when you can find gems in your own backyard.
So nice! Health is wealth, and it’s great when you can have fun with family, too. Those falls look refreshing. I need to explore my home state more. So many nature gems there.
Yes, now if i can only keep it up, LOL I want to to try another hiking trail by the beach. California has some great places to explore!
What a beautiful waterfall! The 3.5 miles seems like a trek that was well worth it!
In the midst of hiking I was thinking is it worth it! Once I got to the waterfalls and stood underneath, it confirmed it was well worth it!
Wow! I never even knew that place existed. I’m going to have to grab my friends and head over there.
Yes i didn’t know either! Grab your friends and make a day out of it! Old town Pasadena is nice! I see you are from Cali, Cali Bloggers need to have a meet up.
I’ve been hiking a few times and I’ve really come to enjoy it. Running into a waterfall though is so freaking dope. I’ve not seen any on my hikes but I would love that. I’m obsessed with waterfalls.
Great fun, I like to discover great things in my area because we usually overlook them.
I love waterfalls as well. The waterfall before this one was in Ghana! I actually slipped in fell and bumped my head due to the slippery moss on the ground. Thank god I was OK. Yes i’m lacking in doing things in my city! I need to pretend like I’m a tourist in Los Angeles
You got some great pictures! I would love to visit and hike up to the waterfalls! Great family or friends activity.
Thanks I love my iphone, it takes good pictures, they day if carrying around a camera are gone. LOL Yes i need to find another activity, I haven’t seen everybody since this outing.
OOOH This has piqued my interest! I have done plenty of hiking lately, but none that ended in a fall like this! I am Jelly, but I am glad you all had a good time!
I know I have been reading your latest hiking blog post. If you ever come make sure it is after the rainy season for the best falls.
I love all of these spectacular pictures that you took of this amazing trip! You had a blast at the end of your epic hike!
I had a blast on this particular hike, thank you very much for reading!
I can see myself being just like you – “are we there yet?” Still it looks like the journey was well worth it! What an amazing place to be! I may need to find myself a trail or two to hike . . . but only if the end has something as amazing as this waterfall!
Yes, it was def worth it when I began to get tired I thought I can’t stop until I reach the waterfall I saw in the pictures. The crazy part was my grandparents lived close to the trail and it didn’t even know that it existed until someone mentioned it in a traveling group.
The waterfall looks amazing. I hiked thru the rainforest in St. Lucia and was in love with the waterfall. I might have to visit to take this hike.
Thank you 🙂 I’m so mad, I went to St. Lucia on a cruise and didn’t do anything because my family didn’t want to go. I need to go back to St. Lucia to discover the island because it’s beautiful.
The falls are so beautiful! That selfie stick came in handy.
Thank you, I’m not a big fan of selfie sticks (I hate that the stick is in the actual photo) but they can be useful to take great pictures.
This trail looks amazing and that waterfall is everything! I’ve really fallen in love with hiking, its so peaceful and nature is so beautiful!
I love nature as well, my last hike after this one scarred me a bit. LOL but I did enjoy this one so I need to find new trails to hike.
I love going on hiking trips, there is so much to discover…
I’m not a hiker but I really enjoyed this hiking trip.
Listen, I just love how you are all “becoming one with nature” and hiking these trails 🙂 I’m not a hiker but this looks like fun, especially if you have a great group to go with.
LOL, yes I became one with nature after discovering these beautiful waterfalls. I knew that I had to get here and bring the entire family to experience with me. I’m looking forward to your post when you become with the nature like the rest of us. LOL
I love seeing all of your travel and blogging adventures. You look like you have so much fun and you go to some of the prettiest places.
Thank you so much for following my travel journeys. I’m already counting down to my next vacation. 🙂
I love that the kids told you to keep going! I just did a hike to a waterfall and wanted to turn around so many times…
Yes this is the reason why I love kids they can be a great motivator even when they don’t know. Glad you can sympathize with my pain. LOl
Girl, I just looked up Eaton Canyon because I took my daughter some years back and was wondering if it were the same place on Thrillist, and low and behold I run across your post. LOL
Hey Latoya,
So glad you came across the blog post! I hope you enjoyed 🙂