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Fish Canyon Falls is an eighty-foot tall three-tiered beauty in the San Gabriel Mountains near Azusa. Spring is the perfect time to visit the dynamic waterfall, but access is limited because there is a rock quarry blocking the trailhead. The creation of the quarry resulted in decades of disputed access to what was once one of the most popular destinations to the range. The quarry chewed up the first mile of the trail, reducing the trek to Fish Canyon Falls to four miles round trip with 400 feet of elevation gain. Even in it’s abbreviated form, this still deserves to be one of the most highly regarded hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Since the quarry operators will not allow you to just stroll through their active work zone, there are only certain days when the quarry opens the trailhead to hikers. Typically, hiking to Fish Canyon Falls is permitted two Saturdays per month throughout the spring. The calendar of these dates is available on the quarry website.

After checking in at the quarry parking lot, a shuttle will drive you to the trailhead. From there, hike straight up the canyon to the falls. The trail takes the left bank of the canyon and climbs above the creek past seasonal wildflowers like sunflowers, wishbone bush, blue dicks, and wallflowers. The trail dips back to the creek where sycamores, bays, and alders provide relaxing shade. Boulders in the creek create small rapids and pools that make the creek that much more soothing.

Fish Canyon Trail

The trail climbs gradually up the canyon through sun and shade. After a creek crossing, the trail switches to the right bank and approaches Fish Canyon Falls. It is quite a sight! Water tumbles from the lip of the canyon to an upper pool, then pours down a short falls before streaming down the third and longest tier. There is a decent sized pool at the base of the falls and plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy a snack. The pool beneath the upper falls is not accessible to hikers, but could make for an adventurous climb for those with proper gear.

Fish Canyon Falls

The trail ends at the falls, so return the way you came. An alternative to the trail is rock-hoping down the creek. You will not find a path, but most of the creek can be crossed easily enough. With a little bushwhacking you can add some variation to the hike. Along with extra fun and exercise, you will also enjoy enjoy added shade along the babbling creek.

Sunflowers along the trail

The parks department built a trail over Van Tassel Ridge to circumvent the quarry to access Fish Canyon. By all accounts this path adds a brutal couple of miles and some serious elevation gain to this otherwise pleasant trek. The trail is also reported to be steep, narrow, and dangerous. The best way to Fish Canyon Falls is through the quarry, so circle a day on their access calendar and plan a visit. There is no fee or permit required to visit Fish Canyon Falls (which should not be confused with the Fish Canyon Narrows on the west side of the Angeles National Forest), so get out and enjoy!

To get to the quarry and trailhead: make your way to the intersection of the 210 and 605 freeways in Azusa (east of Pasadena). Exit to Huntington Drive and head east. After a few blocks, make a left on Encanto Parkway. The quarry is about one mile up the road.

Trailhead address: 3901 Fish Canyon Road, Azusa, CA 91702
Trailhead coordinates: 34.156722, -117.92507

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

       
       
       
       
       

These photos were taken in March of 2009. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Azusa Peak (and Glendora Peak) via Garcia Trail This 2 2/3-mile or 4 2/3-mile hike ascends Garcia Trail to “the A” and one or two picturesque summits along Glendora Ridge Motorway.
	Smith Mountain This 7-mile hike ascends 1,800 feet to a 5,111 foot summit with panoramic views over the San Gabriel Mountains.
	Bridge to Nowhere This adventurous 10-mile round trip hike reaches an abandoned and out-of-place bridge with a unique history.
	Sturtevant Falls This 3.25-mile hike visits a 60-foot waterfall and a lush cottage-lined canyon.
	Hermit Falls This 2.5-mile heads down canyon away from Sturtevant Falls toward a 30-foot waterfall. The lush canyon and the babbling creek are quite calming.
	Santa Anita Canyon Loop This 9.5-mile loop visits a two peaceful creeks, a 60 foot waterfall and plenty of beautiful wilderness.
	Mount Baldy Loop This 11.3-mile hike incorporates the Devil’s Backbone and the Baldy Bowl – Ski Hit Trail into one see-all loop.
	More trails in the San Gabriel Mountains Explore other destinations in the range.

 

Similar Trails

 

	Monrovia Falls This 1.6-mile to 3-mile hike in Monrovia Canyon Park follows an enchanting canyon up to the base of the 30-foot waterfall.
	San Antonio Falls This 1.4-mile hike visits a multi-tier waterfall along the trail to Mount Baldy.
	Eaton Falls This 3-mile hike visits a 40-footer.
	Trail Canyon Falls This 4-mile hike visits a 40-foot beauty on the east side of the San Gabriel Mountains.
	Escondido Falls This 3.8-mile out and back hike visits a 200 foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm.
	Rose Valley Falls in the Los Padres National Forest This 1-mile round trip trail leads to the lower tier of this two-tier 300 foot waterfall. From there one can scramble off trail to the much taller upper tier.
	Tangerine Falls in Los Padres National Forest This 2.5-mile hike visits a beautiful waterfall on the edge of Santa Barbara.
	More waterfalls around Los Angeles Explore other waterfalls in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains.

 

More Info

 

The Fish Creek access calendar

Fish Canyon Falls on Dan’s Hikes

Fish Canyon Falls on nobodyhikesinla.com

The official website of the Angeles National Forest