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Hiking to Fish Canyon Falls

April 15, 2013 By Jeff Hester 15 Comments

Fish Canyon Falls panorama

Looking for an awesome, easy waterfall hike in Southern California? Check out the Fish Canyon Falls. This 80 foot tall waterfall has three tiers and a beautiful, clear pool at the the bottom. The trail itself winds along a tree-lined canyon beside a babbling creek. The payoff? An awesome waterfall, without having to climb thousands of feet in elevation. In fact, the trailhead is just two miles off the nearest freeway.  

Trail Details
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: ~2 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation gain: 400 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Nov-May
GPX File

The Fish Canyon Falls are beautiful, and the hike is family- and dog-friendly.

Getting There

The trail begins in Duarte a the end of Fish Canyon Road.

The Fish Canyon Trail

This out-and-back trail begins at a bridge crossing the creek. Follow the trail along the tree-lined canyon as it winds it’s way along the creek.

Bridge at the Fish Canyon trailhead

In the early 1900s, Fish Canyon was popular for weekend cabins, and there were at one time as many as 100 cabins lining the steep canyon. Sadly, fires and floods took their toll on most of them, and today there are only remnants of those rustic weekend getaways.

Foundation from a Fish Canyon cabin

The trail is generally easy, although there are a few sections where it’s quite steep and you’ll want to pay attention to where you step. There is one creek crossing, but unless there have been heavy rains, it’s an easy boulder hop across.

The trail ends at the base of the Fish Canyon Falls. This three-tier waterfall drops 80 feet into a beautiful pool. We spied newts in the water, numerous wildflowers along the way, and… poison oak. I recommend long hiking pants. The trail is narrow at many points and brushing against the poison oak almost a certainty.

Fish Canyon Falls

There is a downside to having such a beautiful waterfall, so easily accessible to most of Southern California: it’s very popular. Get there early to beat the crowds, and even then, don’t expect solitude.

“Hidden” Darling Donna Falls

On the way back, about 50 yards past the creek crossing you’ll notice a small tributary on your right. Follow this off-trail for about 10-15 yards to the little-known “Darling Donna” Falls. There used to be a sign for this, but it disappeared long ago.

Are There Fish in Fish Canyon?

I was wondering this myself. I haven’t seen any fish, but I did see two fly fisherman trying their luck.

Fly fishing in Fish Canyon

Summary

Yes, Fish Canyon Falls are popular and busy, but definitely worth visiting. Go prepared for the crowd, and enjoy the social, almost festival-like atmosphere. You’ll appreciate those lesser-walked trails even more!

 

Fish Canyon Falls Trail Map

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Bridge at the trailhead to Fish Canyon
Bridge at the trailhead to Fish Canyon
Sadly, many of the informational signs have been vandalized
Sadly, many of the informational signs have been vandalized
HIking into Fish Canyon
HIking into Fish Canyon
The trail is carved into a sometimes steep canyon wall
The trail is carved into a sometimes steep canyon wall
History
History
One of many wildflowers seen on the trail
One of many wildflowers seen on the trail
Serenity
Serenity
Much of the trail runs very near this small creek.
Much of the trail runs very near this small creek.
Signs of the another long-gone cabin
Signs of the another long-gone cabin
More canyon history
More canyon history
IMG_8952
Obstacles on the trail, as of Spring 2013
Obstacles on the trail, as of Spring 2013
Another obstacle on the trail. April 2013
Another obstacle on the trail. April 2013
Flora of Fish Canyon
Flora of Fish Canyon
Agave
Agave
IMG_8959
IMG_8963
IMG_8964
IMG_8966
Lush greenery
Lush greenery
IMG_8970
What the heck?
What the heck?
IMG_8972
Fish Canyon Falls panorama
The lower tier of the falls
The lower tier of the falls
Reflections in the pool
Reflections in the pool
Team J & J
Team J & J
Wildflower closeup
Wildflower closeup
IMG_8987
A newt?
A newt?
IMG_8989
Ran into Josh McNair from CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
Ran into Josh McNair from CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com
IMG_8994
Fish-eye fun
Fish-eye fun
The trail got VERY crowded at times
The trail got VERY crowded at times
IMG_8997
IMG_8998
IMG_9003
IMG_9004
IMG_9005
Darling Donna Falls
Darling Donna Falls
Interesting trail work
Interesting trail work
IMG_9010
Wildflower macro
Wildflower macro
IMG_9014
IMG_9015
Non-native plants at the site of a former cabin
Non-native plants at the site of a former cabin
A fisherman
A fisherman
Steps to a cabin that is no more.
Steps to a cabin that is no more.
IMG_9019
Artifact of the cabin life that once thrived here
Artifact of the cabin life that once thrived here
The trail to the right is an alternate access to Fish Canyon. Don't ask.
The trail to the right is an alternate access to Fish Canyon. Don’t ask.
The shuttle stop at the quarry
The shuttle stop at the quarry
The quarry
The quarry

More Fish Canyon Falls Trail Resources

  • Fish Canyon Falls GPX
  • Fish Canyon Falls – Dan’s Hiking Pages
  • The Very Popular and Rarely Visited Fish Canyon Falls – Greene Adventures
  • Fish Canyon Falls – OP Adventure Team
  • Fish Canyon Falls – California Through My Lens

Fish Canyon Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Related

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, Canyon, dog-friendly, Duarte, easy, family-friendly, Fish Canyon, San Gabriels, waterfall, Waterfall Hikes, wilderness

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Jeff H

About Jeff Hester

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Martin says

    April 16, 2013 at 9:43 am

    Great post. I found it very informative and convenient. I’m excited to visit this weekend. Just need to find out what time the quarry opens.

    Reply
  2. Josh says

    April 16, 2013 at 10:06 am

    Nice work on this! You are fast my friend! I was happy to bump into you on here and get to catch up! Nice pictures as well

    Reply
  3. Jeff HJeff Hester says

    April 17, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    @Martin: The gates open at 7am. Entrance and parking is free (in a gravel lot). There are port-o-potties at the parking area and one more at the trailhead. You’ve got to get back to the car and on your way by 3pm.

    @Josh: Yeah, I didn’t even realize you were talking to me at first when we bumped into each other at the falls. I was tuning out the crowds. Look forward to seeing your photos, too!

    Reply
  4. Saeed says

    December 28, 2014 at 11:38 am

    I love your blog and appreciate all the work you’ve put into it. Found a lot of great hikes reading it.

    Update: I was here yesterday and it is closed as of Dec 17, 2014 due to a rock slide. Guess I can’t upload my pic of sign.

    Reply
  5. Saeed says

    December 28, 2014 at 11:43 am

    Says trail needs to be evaluated by Angeles Nat’l Forest Service before reopening so I’d advise anyone to contact them before investing in the drive out there, unless close.

    Reply
    • Jeff HJeff Hester says

      December 30, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      Thanks for the update, Saeed! Good to know. I need to update this anyway now that the trail is open year round (aside from the present rock slide closure).

      Reply
  6. jose says

    March 15, 2015 at 9:39 am

    What’s the addrEs for this trail…

    Reply
  7. Thomas Klein says

    February 22, 2016 at 12:01 pm

    WOW! Talk about memories!! A few friends of mine and I use to go back up to the Fish Canyon Falls back in the late 70’s early 80’s Before everyone knew about it. Several times I would take the RTD bus to the end of Fish Canyon road walk down the trail fish out the holes on the way back camp at the falls and fish the holes back. I don’t think I ever came out with out my limit and that was after eating my fill while camping. People on the bus would amuse me when they would ask where I was going and after telling them fish canyon , they would ask if there were any fish there to be caught….then I’d show them my creel!….it was called Fish Canyon for a reason!

    Reply
  8. Dorothy says

    June 19, 2016 at 8:52 pm

    I hiked this canyon in the early 50s while I was in college. My family lived near there so I could get there on foot. Beautiful! I never fished, but caught a lot of salamanders. Never removed them. I was a biology student and knew they belonged where they were. Bad knees will keep me from going there now…Sob. Sob!!!

    Reply
  9. Sandra says

    October 30, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    FYI there are posted signs stating this trail is closed until September 2017.

    Reply
  10. Megan says

    March 18, 2018 at 5:46 pm

    This site days fish canyon is closed til September 2017. However; it is still closed. We found out when we got to the trailhead today. Please update the date for other hikers.

    Reply
  11. Ana QAna Q says

    May 30, 2018 at 2:22 pm

    Hello

    is this trail open? I am planning to go this Saturday.

    Reply

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About Jeff Hester

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout Southern California--and occasionally beyond. I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more...

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