A hidden treasure for sure!! My friend and I have been looking for all sorts of trails to try! This hike was short and fairly easy to get to. Make sure you look up this hike before you go as there is NO trail marker. Basically to get to this hike, you will take Azusa (State route 39) going towards the mountains for about 15 miles or so. The entrance to this trail is between highway marker 34 and 35! There are some spots to park at right here, so if you go past either of those markers, you missed the entrance to this waterfall. I am not sure if you need the "adventure pass" parking. We did not have one and we did not see any signs saying we needed one. We did see signs saying you needed the parking pass at the forks below before reaching this trail.
The hike itself is pretty short, a little over a mile. It is well shade, but there are bugs, so make sure you bring your bug spray!! We sprayed ourselves down as well as the dogs with bug spray before entering the trail and brought it also in case. The hike gradually inclines in elevation, but it is not really noticeable. There is however, some rock scrambling at parts and the walkway is quite narrow in some spots, as well as low spots where you have to go under a fallen tree. I got stuck because my backpack stuck out and so I had to take if off to go through the smaller opening under the tree. There are 2 spots where you go under a tree. The first is much bigger, but the second is a tighter squeeze. We had our dogs. She had a 25lb Shiba and I had my 105lb German Shepherd and there is a huge size difference them! Both made it. She had to pick up and carry her dog at some parts. I was a bit worried about my boy having to climb over rocks, more worried about him getting DOWN the rocks safely as some of the paths are narrow and I was scared about him hurting himself on rocks and branches. He made it okay though. However and he is not the most agile dog. Just keep that in mind if you bring a large dog with you. With the obstacles and width of path in mind, if your dog is good on recall, it is actually safer to just have them off leash if there are no other people around. The path was definitely too narrow for my guy to be walking side by side with me. My guy was off leash until we saw the other dog... then I leashed him until they passed and again on the return trip when we could start hearing cars. There was a couple that came after us also with a German Shepherd and they continued past the waterfall. If you go past the waterfall, it is VERY steep and rocky!! I would not recommend it with a dog, or even the average person! We watched the guy as he basically carried the shepherd up and wondered how on earth they were going to go back down safely. They were the only other people/dog we saw on the trail. All the other people we saw went to the other side of the highway to the water below.
The waterfall was excellent!! Water was crystal clear and it was flowing in full force! My boy absolutely loved playing in the water!! Aside from some rock scrambling, this hike was excellent and easy and well shaded. Lots of spots to stop and take pictures and to play in the water. I loved that it was also not crowded!!
Would I come back? Yes I would! I love waterfalls and so does my boy! Who knew this gem was so close to home!! I just hope it stays uncrowded! read more