Switzer Falls
in the San Gabriel Mountains
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Switzer Falls might be the best know waterfall hike in Los Angeles County. This 50-foot waterfall is reachable via a 4.5 mile out-and-back trek that follows a shaded babbling creek down into a wooded canyon. This is one of the most popular hikes in front country of the San Gabriel Mountains. There is a picnic area at the trailhead, which gets crowded too.
The trail to Switzer Falls begins at Switzer Picnic Area, ten miles up CA 2 from Altadena. Cross the bridge and walk down the canyon on a road that was paved 80 years ago (and is losing its battle with nature and time). This first stretch of the hike is in the shade, with a few crossing of the Arroyo Seco and the opportunity to visit resort era ruins.
After a mile (and a few dozen wild blackberries if you are hiking in the summer) the trail leaves the creek and climbs up the canyon wall. You will be exposed to plenty of views and sun as the trail runs along the steep wall of the canyon. From here you will gain a view of the top of Switzer Falls. The trail continues along the canyon and heads back down to the creek. Follow the trail as it turns upstream toward Switzer Falls. Here you will find fellow hikers enjoying the small pools and cascades beneath the falls.
Switzer Falls
With a bit of maneuvering, one can climb above the pools and follow the creek a bit further to the base of the falls. It is worth noting, that most hikers do not make it all the way to the falls because there is no trail and the creek is tricky to climb. Other waterfalls in the Angeles are easier to access, but this has not seemed to damper the popularity of the Switzer Falls Trail.
The pools beneath Switzer has been tagged with graffiti, which is something I prefer to leave behind on the streets when I hike to the streams.
To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in Altadena, take the Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 10 miles to the Switzer Picnic Area. Descent to the parking lot, display your adventure pass and begin hiking. If the lot at the picnic area is full, there is additional parking at the top of the road.
Trailhead address: Switzer Truck Trail, Angeles National Forest, Tujunga, CA 91042
Trailhead coordinates: 34.266239, -118.145708
Use the map below to create your own directions to the trailhead:
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Nearby Trails
 | San Gabriel Peak from Mount Disappointment Fire Road This 6,161 foot peak is reachable via a 4-mile round-trip trail from Mount Disappointment Fire Road. |
| San Gabriel Peak from Mount Lowe Fire Road This 6,161 foot peak is also reachable via a 3.2-mile round-trip trail from Eaton Saddle. |
 | Dawn Mine This 6-mile hike from Millard Campground leads past Millard Falls to an old gold mine. |
 | More trails in the San Gabriel Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
Similar Trails
 | Fish Canyon Falls This 4-mile hike starts at a rock quarry with restricted access and ends up at a multi-tiered 80-foot waterfall. |
 | Millard Falls This one mile hike visits a 50-foot waterfall up one of the most scenic canyons in the range. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | 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. |
 | Paradise Falls This 40-foot waterfall is located within Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks and is reachable via several trails. |
 | More waterfalls around Los Angeles Explore other waterfalls in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. |
Add to trails I’ve hikedAdd to trails I want to hike Distance: 4.5 miles – Elevation Change: 650 feet
where do we purchase parking and how much? Switzer Falls
in the San Gabriel Mountains
There are lots of places to buy adventure passes, like Big 5 Sports, and at a ranger station just up the road from the parking area. More: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/
This is my first hike since I discovered Angeles Crest Highway and I was completely satisfied. The trail was not bad at all– I would even say easy-moderate hike. The hardest part was leaving the creek and walking back up the trail–this was only a very short part of the hike. Going to the falls was a lot a fun but slightly tricky. I thought I was at the end but then realized that trail continued. This was the part I enjoyed the most since I was hiking up and meandering up the river hoping from stone to stone. When I finally reach Switzer Falls I was impressed. Very Isolated and clean and I was lucky enough to have it to myself. The water was very clear and refreshing. I definitely recommend this one!
[...] of us went to Switzer Falls on Monday. I figured it wouldn’t be a stroll in the park, but nice trails more or less, [...]
Very much enjoyed this hike. Again, goal is to photograph all the waterfalls and did so here. Will probably do this hike again, also, with my Australian Shepherd when he gets a touch older, still a puppy now.
Could someone give directions coming from Long Beach.
710 n. to 5 n. to 2 n. to Switzer Falls Gate, on your right hand side.
are there any snakes?
Yes there are snakes.