Distance
4.5 Miles
Time
2 Hrs
Difficulty
Moderate
Season
Fall, Winter, Spring
Elevation Gain
990 Ft
Looking for an adventure? Check out Trail Canyon Falls in Angeles National Forest. This amazing hike is LITTERED with seasonal waterfalls, which you can enjoy if you know when to visit (I’ll let you know the right time if you’re not sure).
Trail Canyon Falls is a 40-foot waterfall located in Tujunga. The 4.5 mile round trip trail weaves its way from the canyon floor and up through the hills multiple times before reaching the majestic falls. There are no restrooms, and dogs must be on a leash. Parking is allowed in the designated area and on the road. There is very little graffiti on this hike.
Map of Trail Canyon Falls
Trail Canyon Falls Pro Tips
- Make sure to arrive early as this hike gets VERY crowded on the weekends.
- If you want to see plenty of water at the main waterfall, visit in the Springtime
- If you want to see the seasonal waterfalls when they’re flowing, go when it’s raining or right after it rains (1-2 days max)
- If you have trouble crossing creeks take a pair of trekking poles. We use these trekking poles, which have been extremely useful and reliable.
Directions
Trail Canyon Falls is located at Tujunga, California 91042.
More LA hikes to add to your list!
- Eaton Canyon Ultimate Guide (Pasadena’s Most Popular Trail)
- La Canada Teepee Trail: Fun Hike to Large Teepee
- Shoemaker Canyon Road: LA’s Nuclear Escape Tunnels
Hiking Out to Trail Canyon Falls
The trail begins at a tiny dirt parking lot, with a dirt road quickly ascending into the hill and across the first crossing of the beautiful Golden Creek.
This same dirt road requires walking through private property, so please be very respectful.
The locals are not shy when it comes to letting taggers know how they feel about graffiti! Lol, It’s the local’s willingness to protect our mountains that make this trail feel safer than most.
Many thank you’s to the cabin owners on our behalf.
After passing Gold Canyon (did abandoned mines also come to your mind?) the dirt road begins to ascend into the hills once more, but this time as a single track.
Shortly thereafter, we ran into the first seasonal waterfall. It was located to the right side of the path and measured about 20 ft in height. It was the first of many.
I can’t even imagine how beautiful this trail must be when all of the falls are flowing. However, waterfalls are not the only attractions the hike has to offer.
As the single track looped around the edge of the hill, a short little detour offered a stunning view of the dirt roads and the creek below, with the mountain ranges precipitously surrounding the private properties.
Once again, the trail fuses into the canyon floor, where you’ll notice some abandoned and rusted items. One of which is a wheelbarrow.
I don’t know how long they’ve been there, but it seems like it’s been quite a while.
This next section will require a few creek crossings as you make your way through the popular White Alder and Western Sycamore trees.
The crossings aren’t as difficult as the ones at Eaton Canyon, but if your balance isn’t too great, take a pair of trekking poles.
About halfway through the hike, you’ll find a picnic table under the forest canopy. The way the light shined through the trees made me feel like I was in a mountain paradise.
I promised you multiple seasonal waterfalls, and I intend to deliver. Here are the second falls which you can access by taking a very short detour that I pointed out on the map.
The waterfall is about 25 feet high. If you look closely, you can see the water towards the top barely trickling down.
After making this awesome find, the trail began to ascend into the hills once more where we quickly ran into the third amazing waterfall. This one clearly had more water than the previous two.
It stood at about 30 feet and even had a tiny pool at its base. The trail literally runs right over it and continues to ascend.
This is now the last section of the trail before scrambling back down to the canyon floor. It also has the steepest ledges, so watch your step.
As the trail loops around the hill, you’ll notice a giant 150 ft beast of a waterfall across the canyon. It’s the most stunning of all the falls.
In my opinion, if it had more water it’d be the main attraction. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a name for it.
As you begin to approach the main waterfall, the trail comes to a fork.
If you go left, you’ll be led to a large granite flat area above the falls. The trail continues up the canyon to Tom Lucas Trail camp, and even further away, Condor Peak.
If you go right, you’ll come to a section that requires climbing down a short (about 15 ft) but steep and loose part of the trail to get to the base of the falls.
Luckily, someone left a rope there for the rest of us. It looks very sketchy, but it’s doable for most people.
And finally, you have reached your destination. The 40 foot Trail Canyon Falls.
If you visit later in the day, you’ll witness the awesome beauty of the surrounding mountain ranges glimmering with the golden light of the evening.
