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Millard Canyon, Millard Canyon Falls, and Dawn Mine
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
8 reviews for Millard Canyon, Millard Canyon Falls, and Dawn Mine
I did a 6 mile loop hike here on May 6. I parked in the lot and hiked through the campgrounds and on to Millard Canyon Falls. After taking some photos, I hiked back about 200 yards and took the side trail back to the top of the falls for a great view. From here, I traveled up the wash to the Dawn Mine site. After some photos here, I went across the wash and got onto the trail leading up to the Sunset Ridge Trail. It's a tough climb up to the Sunset Ridge Trail, but the views and the history at Dawn Station make it well worth doing. The way back to the parking lot was all downhill.
I have photos posted on my website here:
http://homepage.mac.co...
Millard Canyon Falls? There are falls by Pasadena? Geez. Where have I been?
Of course I expected a big waterfall when I got to the end and I thought the trail would be longer, BUT I still had a GREAT time. It was a rocky walk but a nice leisurely one. Of course I ended up getting wet while taking stupid pictures with my girls in the shallow pool of water. hahahhahha. It was super funny.
Cute, rocky, leisurely walk on a beautiful day. Who doesn't like that?
Oh! People also camp there. WTF? Yea. Seriously. Camping in Pasadena/Altadena. WOWEE.
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Like the previous reviewer, it is a super quick Hike but different in that the trail is very difficult to follow. Not very visible and so you kind of make your own way through the rocks. At the very end, when reaching the waterfall it is very nice there to relax and take in the surrounding view of all the rocks and waterfall. Recommended for first time hikers and those looking for a nice shady walk.
Tony
Great quick hike - about a mile round trip. 15mins drive from downtown Pasadena.
Goes along a creek and is shaded the whole time.
We did this one in the morning then Eaton Falls right afterwards.
This wasn't crowded at all and we had the waterfall to ourselves. Not too much water but very pretty. Be sure to look up and see the giant boulder that is resting 60ft above the falls.
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This is a great hike for beginners, or for Pasadena or Altadena locals who just want to get out and see some of the beauty our area offers without sweating your way up a mountain! The Millard Canyon Falls hike is short and mildly adventurous...it won't get your heart racing but will test your balance, and may even get your feet wet if your balance isn't quite what you thought it was.
I did this hike in early January when the stream was pretty strong (although not as strong as it might be after a storm). From the beginning of the trail I was surprised to find some decent ledges (which I suppose you could skip by walking up the shaky plank!) and difficult crossings. One of the first creek crossings in particular was even hard to gauge where to cross by eye and difficult to maneuver holding just a water bottle, but thankfully I got the help of a friendly hiker who was waiting to cross in the opposite direction. After that the trail got a little bit easier, or maybe I just got used to it.
As you get closer to the waterfall the path takes you back and forth across the stream quite a few times and leads you both through wooded terrain and between walls of rocks. I really enjoyed looking at the land and guessing how the years of water flow and rock slides may have shaped it into the canyon it is today, although a few manmade remnants here and there suggest it isn't entirely natural. I even overheard someone saying that the waterfall is manmade, but I don't know if that's true or not.
Either way, once you make it to the end of the trail and come upon the waterfall there is a sense of accomplishment, even though it's a pretty short hike. There's a small wading pool at the base of the fall which the little ones seemed to really enjoy splashing around in. I also noticed rock climbing anchors on the face of the cliff so maybe it's a good spot for rock climbing. Also the water tasted delicious!
I haven't done too much hiking but this one was definitely the most interesting--a good diversion from the plain trails I've hiked in the Hollywood hills and Santa Monica & San Gabriel mountains. There were also plenty of other trailheads we passed on the way up to this particular trail, so it's probably pretty easy to add duration or difficulty to your hike in the same location. We also passed overnight camping areas and firepits...so many opportunities for a great time and all I did was see the waterfall! Also there are some great views leading up to and coming down from the parking area.
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This hike is short and sweet about 1.5 mile round trip, and it is particularly amazing after a huge storm like the one we had in the beginning of 2008, for the waterfall is flowing and powerful. The stream is rushing. The hike is shaded and short. You cross the river about nine times heading there. It's a wonderful little getaway from the fast-paced scene of the city.
If you go during the summer, you may be disappointed by the waterfall because it may be a mere trickle, but again at least you are enjoying the great outdoors. Enjoy this hike and many more in this area.
For the campers, there is also a campground before the trail head, so enjoy a weekend away from the hustle and bustle.
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From Loma Alta Drive in Altadena turn at Chaney Trail (flashing light) and drive down to the bottom of the hill and park at the Millard Canyon campgrounds.
Note: you will need an adventure pass to park (http://www.fs.fed.us/r...)
1). To get to the waterfall: Its a quick 1.5 mile roundtrip from the parking lot.
2). For Dawn Mine: Hike back up to Sunset Ridge or if you wanna skip the extra 1 mile and few hundred feet of elevation gain go ahead and start off at the top of Sunset Ridge, where there's parking by the roadside. The trail starts east on the gated paved Sunset Ridge fire road. Continue on Mount Lowe fire road for about ~4 miles (past the Cape of Good Hope) and head down into the valley at station 4 on the Mount Lowe railway. ~2.5 miles later you'll reach the mine. Then its another ~1.5 miles back out to the parking lot.
For more info: http://www.localhikes....
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Honestly, this hike is disappointing. It's good if you're EXTREMELY novice at hiking/walking, or if you only have an hour. I did this hike with my sister hoping for a good jaunt in the woods, and it's mostly flat rock-hopping. The only thing that made it worth it was the view that you get while driving to the trail head. If you want to hike but you're scared of hiking, go on this walk. I went in the December, and still the waterfall was utterly disappointing.
