Pasadena Hikes You'll Love
Want to get out of town and take a hike? Here are some great places not in Pasadena but just around the corner.
Millard Falls
Distance: 1.2 miles
Type: There & Back
Are Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: April – June
Millard Falls is a short hike located in Pasadena’s neighboring city of Altadena. The trail begins at Millard Campground and leads you past Canyon Creek until 50-foot falls await!
The Losee Creek Trail is an easy hike with lots to see. The trail takes you through picturesque coves and refreshing streams, surrounded by lush forest floors covered in white alders or Western Sycamores that make for great photo opportunities! This would be one beginner-friendly outdoor adventure not to miss out on if it’s your first time outdoors doing some exploring, like hiking.
Hiking through the forest and seeing a waterfall are my favorite things. This hike takes an hour-long drive from Los Angeles, but it’s worth every second! The falls aren’t as powerful during the summer months–but if that doesn’t bother you, then come find out more about how water can help heal our planet.
Millard Falls was a popular spot for settlers who wanted access to Los Angeles. The canyon was named after Henry W Millard.
Brown Mountain Dam Falls
Distance: 2 miles
Type: There & Back
Are Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: April – June
If you’re looking for one kind of natural experience, then the 80-foot waterfall at Brown Mountain Dam might be just what your after. What is the best way to get there? Hike up any number ranging anywhere between 2-8 miles!
The 2-mile shortcut that begins off the highway is steep and slippery in a few sections but nothing too crazy. Hiking an 8-mile trail is no joke, but this route will make it more manageable.
Hiking through the Arroyo Seco Canyon is an unforgettable experience. Greenery, waterfalls, and ruins surround you on your way to its picturesque creek bed, where you can enjoy nature at its finest before returning upriver once more!
The shallow pool at the base of this waterfall is perfect for a quick dip on those hot days when you need to cool down. The moss growing along its side gives off an otherworldly feel that’s hard not to enjoy, especially after experiencing such natural beauty up close like never before!
Secret Mines of Las Flores Canyon
Distance: 2.1 miles
Type: There & Back
Are Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: All Year
The Gold Rush of the 1800s is estimated to have caused about 300 mines throughout San Gabriel Mountains. One such mine, Las Flores Canyon’s Twadell Mine, was built from 1893-1894 by William and his mining company. In what today remains a historical landmark for those who want their piece of history on this particular spot!
William staked multiple mines in the area, some known as Golden Star and Monitor. But shortly after that, he abandoned his operation due to water shortages common for miners everywhere.
The hike to the mines is more challenging, but you can make your way up Echo Canyon with some effort. The path starts easy enough as soon there are only rocks and dirt beneath the foot. However, once climbing higher leads to uneven terrain that requires a careful footing or else risks falling down an Escher-like abyss!
The hike is short but not easy. Plenty of trees offer shade on this path, so you won’t be hot or uncomfortable while taking in the views! The narrow sections can sometimes make it difficult – mainly if your child isn’t used to navigating tight spaces with little room between rock walls.
When you reach the last mine, you can venture inside and explore for about 100 feet before reaching a dead end. Depending on this season, there can sometimes seem like water and shin deep!
Mount Lowe Peak
Distance: 3.2 miles
Type: There & Back
Are Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: All Year
The views from Mount Lowe are as beautiful and welcoming as you would expect a swing set at an iconic location like this one to be. And with its famous history, there is no wonder why people come from all over just because they want some time in nature or a scenic spot away that isn’t city life!
Hiking to the top of Mount Wilson is an incredible experience with beautiful scenery and diverse terrain. You can start at either Cobb Estate or Eaton Saddle for a 9+ mile hike up, but if you want shorter distances, there are also trails leading all around it! Once you are exhausted from negotiating steep slopes. Make sure not to miss out on Echo Falls (only 1/2 mile) and Inspiration Point, which has impressive views over Los Angeles towards downtown LA.
Hiking from Eaton Saddle is a great way to experience the beauty of California’s San Gabriels. The route offers stunning views and cooler temperatures because it’s at 5110 ft, with more pine trees than other areas in this region and permanent streams with running water during the summer months!
The views from Mount Lowe are incredible. You get to walk through this super awesome tunnel that used to be part of the railway, and you can see all sorts of goodies along your journey! The trail has some exposed sections, but if we were going in winter, I bet they would not disappoint on the snow-covered ground – what do you think?
Eaton Canyon Falls
Distance 4.4 miles
Type: There & Back
Are Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: April – June
The Eaton Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all of Los Angeles National Forest. Get here early to avoid disappointment!
The hike begins with a dry dirt road that quickly transitions into an even more amusing single track. You will closely follow the creek as it meanders through beautiful cliffs full of white alders and steep canyon walls on both sides! Because you’re hiking down below in this low-lying region, there’s plenty of vegetation for shade. So make sure not to miss out–this is one experience not many people get the opportunity or chance to experience firsthand.
The initial section offers little challenge but soon changes once we reach the higher ground, where rocks become evident throughout our journey thus far.
You can expect to cross a creek multiple times per year. The water levels are high enough that you may even have difficulty getting across on foot, so it’s best if your dog or kid comes with you for the ride!
Falls like these don’t happen very often in SoCal, where we only get about 2 inches of rainfall annually. Still, when they do. It feels like an otherworldly experience worth savoring every second because there aren’t many places left where nature still prevails untouched by humans.
Have you ever seen a video of Eaton Falls before? If so, then I bet the soundscapes in these videos are very similar to what it’s like when visiting during April or May. But did you know there’s another hidden waterfall just above where all those fantastic sounds come from?
Suppose you want a unique outdoor adventure full of adrenaline and thrill. In that case, I recommend trying to go down the second fall. It may be dangerous, but it will make your day!
Ruins At Echo Mountain
Distance: 5.4 miles
Type: There & Back
Are Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: October – April
The ruins of a once-grand resort are all that remain to tell the story of how people loved coming here in their day. When Professor Thaddeus S C Lowe built his Rubio Pavilion, it was an oasis for those who wanted peace away from city life.
When the Mount Lowe trolley reached its destination, visitors were treated to an impressive view of Los Angeles. The team had been traveling through scenic areas that included some fantastic scenery. From pine forests and open pastureland down below on lower elevation levels or up high at higher elevations where there are no trees!
The Echo Mountain House was a luxurious hotel that once accommodated tourists. Unfortunately, it burnt down due to fires and floods in the area!
The hike up to Echo Mountain is an absolute blast, with beautiful views of the surrounding area. You’ll be treated to the sun all day long as you go through some scenic trails and enjoy a single track that consists primarily of switchbacks!
Take a hike and enjoy the views of Pasadena from up top. You’ll be able to see some ruins that are worth checking out. Like what’s left behind after a historic building has been torn down or, if you’re fortunate, maybe even spot some wild animals!
Dawn Mine
Distance: 6 miles
Type: There & Back
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Best Time to Visit: All Year
The Dawn Mine Trail
The Dawn Mine Trail is an easy-rated hiking trail in Altadena. The mine was founded by a man named Bradford Peck, who worked on it for seven years before closing down due to lack of success, and this beautiful scenery will make you want to get out there too!
What is the best way to see Millard Falls? You can begin your hike by parking at either of two separate trailheads or take a short faster route that ends right next door! The first option will lead you down into beautiful Millard Canyon and through its floor until we reach our destination: The Dawn Mine. Suppose this isn’t possible for some reason (limited space). In that case, another great spot starts with walking back toward where all those waterfalls come from. You’ll see signs along these paths, so make sure not to miss them before heading off on foot again.
This might be the place if you’re looking for a bit of history. The old abandoned mine has been closed to the public since a few years back but still stands as an arena with lots of cool stuff inside, like water pumps used in the mining process!
The closed mine might be off-limits, but you can still peek inside and check out this excellent water pump used in mining.
If you continue exploring the Dawn Mine after taking a short break, hop back onto your bike and breathe some fresh air. Then, shortly afterward, run into an exploratory dig on the left side of the trail, which can be ventured inside. It’s only 50 feet long, but worth checking out!
