Cooper Canyon Falls is a beautiful waterfall that flows almost year round, but roars in April-May as the spring snow melts. The falls can be spectacular when you time your hike right, and I’m surprise more people don’t talk about this trail.
This hike includes a side trip to Cooper Canyon Campground — a wilderness campsite right on the Pacific Crest Trail — making this an easy hike to modify for an overnight backpacking trip. It’s not long, but it it has some great features and makes a great shake-down trip for testing your gear and getting comfortable with your pack weight before a longer trip.
Time: 2-3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 907 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring to Fall
Getting to the Trailhead
The trailhead is found at the very back of the Buckhorn Campground, about 33 miles back from La Cañada-Flintridge off Highway 2 in the Angeles National Forest (Google map).
Trail Description
Start at the Burkhart Trail and head down. Yes, this is one of those trails where the elevation gain is all on the way out. Some people prefer to get the vertical out of the way first, but that’s not really an option for this trip. But it’s worth it.
The trail descends down a mostly shady canyon with a babbling creek at the bottom. The Buckhorn Campground provides car camping, and a lot of people were exploring and playing in the creek not far from the trailhead. We soon left them behind as we traveled further down.
I was surprised to see a number of redwood trees — an unusual site in southern California.
At the 1.2 mile mark, the trail reaches a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. The falls are to the right only a few hundred yards down the trail. You’ll have to scramble down the embankment to reach them, and there was a handy rope to make getting down (and back up) a bit easier.
Look for the steep scramble down to the base of the falls.
I was surprised to see fairly decent-sized fish swimming in the pool below the falls! The waterfall and creek were beautiful in spite of the drought. In wetter years as the snow melts, Cooper Canyon Falls are spectacular.
Here’s a shot from Kolby “The Hike Guy” Kirk taken during his 2011 hike on the PCT:
Doubling back to the junction, we took the PCT toward the Cooper Canyon Campground. This was about 1.5 miles up another canyon, and we ran into a group of PCT thru-hikers headed the same way. The campground itself feels quite developed, even though you have to hike back there. There are two pit toilets, picnic tables and plenty of area for tents — making it suitable for groups. And the creek runs just behind the camp area, providing a water source.
Personally I wouldn’t choose this camp for a quiet getaway, but for a group looking for an easy way to test the waters and give backpacking a try, this could be ideal. And it gives you a chance to actually backpack a section of the epic Pacific Crest Trail.
Cooper Canyon Falls Trail Map
Cooper Canyon Photo Gallery
Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.
Cooper Canyon Tips
- No permits are required for the Cooper Canyon Camp. There are six, first-come, first-serve hike-in sites.
- Water is typically available from the stream at Cooper Canyon Camp, but should be treated. Flow may be low or non-existent in dry years during the height of summer.
- An Adventure Pass is required to park at the Burkhart Trailhead.
- After the hike, grab a burger and a beer at a favorite biker destination — Newcomb’s Ranch on your way back.
I love that hike. I’m surprised there is any water at all in the creek.
FYI: the falls are on the LEFT after you pass by the Pacific Crest Trail marker. Great hike!
@Jessica — Yes, they are on the left from the trail, but I was pointing out that when you get to the PCT junction, you take the fork to the right to reach the falls (not the trail to the left, which takes you away from the falls).
Do you know if the waterfall is still flowing now?
I haven’t been there recently. The Forest Service website has this generic message: “Seasonal stream water (treat before using). However, water flow may be low or non-existent due to reduced rainfall/snowfall.”
It is seasonal, but there should be some water still flowing at this time.
What mappears would you reccomend having/ printing for this hike?
I am interested in visiting this falls. Do you know if this is high enough for snow falls at this time of year? I’m planning on going this weekend.
The water will be running well. There will likely be patches of snow on the route.
I was interested in going this week- wondering if I will be too cold at night though ????
I was interested in going this week backpacking- wondering if I will be too cold at night though ????
You mentioned that you “were surprised to see a number of redwood trees”. Are these trees truly giant Sequoias or actually incense cedars? Incense cedar can look somewhat like a Sequoia and on one website someone opined that they are actually incense cedars. *BUT* it is a fact that the U.S. Forest Service also planted a number of Sequoia seedlings back in the 1970s in the San Gabriel, San Bernardino and San Jacinto ranges because they thought they might be more smog tolerant. A few of those seedlings have not only survived but have become quite large so you might have actually seen Sequoias.
I would be most interested to find out.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
Phil,
Thanks for answering my question on the Sequoias. I wondered if they might be incense cedars because the two look very similar from a distance. The bark is very similar.
However, there are actually some growing in the San Jacinto Mountains that were planted around 40-50 years ago. See here:
https://gizmodo.com/these-sequoia-trees-are-thriving-175-miles-south-of-the-1579409426
So, there might be some growing in the Transverse Range in the San Bernardino Mountains as well but just not right here along this trail.
Regards,
Fred M. Cain
In regards to Fred’s question they are incense cedars not redwoods or Sequoias. Cooper Cyn trail camp has become one of my favorite spots. If you go there make sure not to be fooled into camping on the exposed flat you first come to (which is good for stargazing). To the right of the main plateau (north) there is a small rise. A trail over it leads down to two official and several unofficial spots in a beautiful grove of Jeffrey pines, incense cedars, and firs. A small stream runs just feet away from the best site. If you start at Cloudburst rather than Buckhorn take the PCT rather than the fire road. 3/4 longer but much prettier, and far less steep.
anyone know if there is water in the creek right now
i hiked down on may 12th 2018 and the water was meandering over the falls. Will be going down June 2nd 2018 and will report back on water flow
Hi Don,
Did you go back on June 2nd? Was there a lot of water still? (waterfall?)
Thanks!
My group did this hike in June. There was a little water but we were all eaten up by mosquitoes. I think I came home with 15-20 just myself. The hike back to the car was about 2 miles on asphalt. very grueling
Tina, why did you have to hike two miles on asphalt? No parking at the trailhead?
Tina may have started at Cloudburst rather than Buckhorn and taken the fire road back. Its about two miles and very steep.
hello jeff, the part about using a rope worries me. can you please explain more detail? is there an easier way down?
Aiko,
The trail runs above the creek on the side of the canyon. You can see the falls from the trail. If you want to get down to the base of the falls, you’ll need to scramble down. When I was last there, there was a rope that was tied to give you something to grab onto as you scramble up or down. My wife opted to wait at the trail while I went down to the base to snap a few photos. It’s not a far distance (maybe 30-40 feet?) but it’s not a “trail”.