Santa Ynez Falls
in the Santa Monica Mountains
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Santa Ynez Falls Trail follows a shaded creek to a gorge containing a short waterfall. This 2.5-mile hike is a popular family outing because it is fairly level (just 250 feet of elevation gain) and interesting enough to hold a child’s attention for the duration.
Descend from the gate on Vereda de La Montura in the Pacific Palisades and begin along the single-track trail. Use the concrete stepping stones to cross the water flowing down a runoff channel, and leave the urban world behind. Cross through a dense forest to the first of many creek crossings. Rock hop the babbling waters and follow the trail to a junction 0.6 miles from the start. The trail to the left heads to Trippet Ranch and Eagle Rock, while the trail to the right continues toward Santa Ynez Waterfall. Take this single track, which drops down to the creek, crosses it, and turn left, heading upstream.
The trail to Santa Ynez Falls
Stroll along the calming creek through the quiet forest. Breathe deep and listen to the trickling water. That relaxing fragrance comes from the leaves of the California Bays along the trail. Oaks and sycamores pitch in to add more shade and keep the canyon cool. In the spring, wildflowers like Lupines and Purple Nightshade bloom in small meadows and pockets of sunlight.
Lupines along the trail
The trail remains alongside the creek, crossing it at points. Staying on course can get a bit tricky as there are footpaths breaking off at several points, trying to lure you away from the trail. When in doubt, stay with the water. As long as you don’t stray too far from the creek, you will end up at the right place.
When the canyon walls close, you are nearing the waterfall. The narrows present a small obstacle. The water pours over a cluster of rocks in the center of the gorge and there is no easy way to continue walking. Either cross the ledge to the right, passing below a low overhang that could be difficult for taller hikers, or hop across the creek and climb up the rock to the left. Both routes are feasible for agile hikers.
Above the obstacle, rock hop and climb a few hundred feet further to Santa Ynez Falls. The 18-foot waterfall looks diminutive outside of the rainy season, but the enjoyable hike to the cascade makes up for it.
Santa Ynez Falls
A rope that allowed hikers to pull themselves up the steep rock face to the left of the falls is no longer in place. To continue above the falls today, backtrack a few hundred feet and take the footpath exiting the canyon to the north (on the left if you are facing the falls). The path climbs up and over a rise in the ridge and returns to the creek.
Turn upstream through the narrow gorge. When water levels are low, and they usually are, it is possible to progress up the creek without getting wet (with careful rock hopping and log crossing). Make your way up to a short sloping cascade, the less impressive Upper Santa Ynez Falls. Climb to the left of the creek to a rope ladder that drops down from a crevice between a large boulder and the canyon wall. The short ladder takes a surprising amount of effort to climb, as the wooden steps swing underneath the rock, charging your upper body with the bulk of the lifting. Pulling yourself out of the crevice and onto the boulder can also be a challenge.
Once above the ladder, the canyon widens again and the path fades. Those committed to the creek can follow it off-trail up the canyon to East Topanga Fire Road, but no one should feel bad about deciding to turn around below the ladder.
The gorge below the falls
Dogs are not allowed on this hike as it passes through Topanga State Park. No fee or permit is required, so get out and enjoy.
To get to the trailhead: From the PCH, take Sunset Boulevard inland for half a mile. Turn left onto Palisades Drive and head north for 2.4 miles. Turn left onto Vereda de la Montura, and park on either side of the street in the permitted areas. The trail begins on the right side of the street at the bottom of the hill (before the private neighborhood gates).
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