Great Escape: Spectacular Waterfalls Right in Our Backyard

One day I noticed a strange light in my living room. When I went to investigate, I discovered it was actual “sunlight” streaming in.  I had forgotten how golden and warm the sun's light can be. I peeked out onto the front porch to discover other neighbors doing exactly the same thing:  squinting at the magnificent sunlight in our pasty zombie-like skin. 

Maybe we were all a little vitamin D deficient.  It was time to come out from our winter hibernation and go explore the world.  I packed a picnic lunch and pried the video-game controllers out of my children's hands (no simple task).  There was considerable whining, crying and stomping of feet when I suggested going for a hike. 

Perhaps “hike” was not my best word choice; maybe I should have said “exploration” or “discovery.”  It was too late at this point.  I knew the children would have a memorable time once I could get them loaded into the car.  I get so drained encouraging my children to do an activity that I know they will love doing!

My family, being held hostage by my plans for the day, has a destination of Eaton Canyon Nature Area, a little-known nature preserve only about 15 minutes away from Montrose.  The visitors center at Eaton Canyon is fun for everyone, offering wonderful interactive displays, live animals, an information desk, a gift shop and an auditorium.  It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 to 5 and closed on Mondays.  When visiting, be sure to use the wonderful bathroom facilities here, as the ones on the trail consist of pokey shrubs that do not give much privacy. 

The hike to Eaton Canyon Falls is not strenuous at all.  In fact, it is more accurately described as a walk.  My daughters found large sticks along the trail that make perfect walking sticks.  (They even named them!)  My boys rekindled their love affair with throwing rocks into the stream that meanders along the hiking path. 

Huge boulders look like hippos in the water; we had the best time “rock hopping” over them.  We discovered a frog swimming in the water, and we enjoyed a nice visit with him.  In addition to the native flora that surrounds the trail, some of the animals that can be seen include California ground squirrels, fox squirrels, chipmunks, cotton tail rabbits, kangaroo rats, gray foxes, raccoons, skunks and weasels.

As I watched my children laughing and giggling and splashing in the water and having a wonderful time, we came around a bend and were greeted by the beautiful falls--the children were ecstatic!  We slathered on another much needed coat of sunscreen, liberally applied some hand sanitizer and had our picnic lunch, lost in the symphony of the waterfall and the warmth of our friend, Mother Nature.

If you are not up to venturing out on your own with your family, you may be interested in joining in with the ranger-led Family Nature Walk each Saturday morning from 9-11 a.m. (free of charge, starting at the Visitors Center). 

The ranger-led hike to the falls occurs the fourth Sunday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, except in June July, and August. 

The bird walk (not recommended for younger children) is on the third Sunday each month, starting at 8 a.m. from September to May and at 7 a.m. from June to August.  It’s free, but no dogs please, and be sure to pack binoculars. 

The plant walk is on the second Sunday of each month at 9 a.m.  The rangers recommend doing the plant walk before the middle May in order to see the best wildflowers starting to bloom, particularly spectacular after our recent fires.

The Nature Area is located at 1750 North Altadena Drive (626-398-5420), one block north of New York Drive in Pasadena.  There is a sign on the east side of the street that clearly marks the entrance to the park.  From the 210 Freeway eastbound, exit at Sierra Madre Boulevard/Altadena Drive.  Turn left (north) at the first light (Altadena Drive), and go 1.6 miles to the park entrance.