Trail Canyon Falls
in the San Gabriel Mountains
Loading ... This trail is currently closed due to damages from the 2009 Station Fire
The western side of the San Gabriel Mountains offers less trails than the rest of the range, but it is home to one terrific waterfall. This four-mile round trip hike with 700 feet of elevation gain can be accessed from the 210 Freeway in Sunland, between Pasadena and the junction of the 5 and 405 Freeways.
Approach this waterfall via Trail Canyon Trail (a trail so good they named it twice). After 3/4 of a mile walking past cabins along a dirt road, a single track will emerge on the left. Take this trail and follow Golden Creek up a canyon shaded with alders and sycamores.
Golden Creek
The trail crosses the stream a few times before climbing the wall of Big Tujunga Canyon. Glimpses of the falls can be seen ahead. The trail makes its way around the canyon and opens up on a large granite landing above the falls. This is a great spot to stop for a snack and enjoy the creek. Ahead, the trail continues up to Tom Lucas Trail Camp.
For a real view of the falls, backtrack along the trail to a footpath leading down into the canyon. The path descends a steep bank of dirt through brush, and should only be attempted by able hikers wearing shoes with good traction.
After dropping to the canyon floor, you will be greeted with an outstanding view of Trail Canyon Falls. The 30-foot waterfall spills over a smooth wall into a shallow pool. In winter or early spring, when rain water fills the creek, the waterfall is quite impressive.
Trail Canyon Falls
Considering the effort it will take to get back up the trail, break for a moment and enjoy. An alternative return route is to bushwhack and rock-hop down the creek to get back to the trail. Dogs are welcome on this hike, and a national forest adventure pass is required.
To get to the trailhead: From the 210 freeway, head north on Sunland Boulevard until it becomes Foothill Boulevard. After another mile, turn left on Mount Gleason Avenue. One and a third miles later, make a right on Big Tujunga Canyon Road. After 3.4 miles, turn left up a hard-to-spot road (a sign for Trail Canyon Trail is visible from the opposite direction). Follow this road for half a mile to a large parking lot. Hang your adventure pass and start up the trail to the left.
Use the map below to create your own directions to the trailhead:
View Los Angeles Hikes in a larger map
Nearby Trails
 | La Tuna Canyon This 4.4-mile round-trip hike follows a fire road to the top this small mountain range north of Burbank. |
 | Switzer Falls This 4.5-mile hike starts out above and finishes below a 50-foot tall waterfall. |
 | More trails in the San Gabriel Mountains Explore other destinations in the range. |
Similar Trails
 | 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. |
 | Paradise Falls This 40-foot waterfall is located within Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks and is reachable via several trails. |
 | Escondido Falls This 4-mile out and back visits a 200 foot waterfall that is split into two tiers. The upper tier is 150 feet tall and stunning after a rainstorm. |
 | More waterfalls around Los Angeles Explore other waterfalls in the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains. |
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