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| Sturtevant Falls, Sierra Madre California |
Sturtevant Falls is located a few miles North of Sierra
Madre California in Big Santa Anita Canyon. The Canyon looks like something
straight out of a storybook. It’s filled with cabins, oak trees, rambling
brooks, stone walls and picturesque cabins.
If you’re lucky, or unlucky depending on how you look at it, you might
even run into a black bear. If magic really exists in the world, you’re most
likely to find it in this canyon.
The hike to the falls is approximately 4 miles round-trip
from the parking area at Chantry Flats. The trail to the falls is wide, well
maintained and usually very busy. Chantry
Flats also serves as the starting point for the Mount Wilson trail, the Mount
Zion trail, the Gabrielino Trail, Hermit Falls, Hoegees Camp, the Spruce Grove Camp and the Santa
Anita Canyon Loop. Sturtevant Falls is one of the few waterfall hikes in Southern California
where pets are permitted, so the trails here attract everyone from families to
hardcore backpackers, but most of the casual hikers confine themselves to the
Sturtevant Falls trail.
Starting at Chantry Flats, the first part of the hike to
Sturtevant falls descends several hundred feet on a paved road to the bottom of
the canyon. Locals call this section “Heart Attack Hill”. From the bottom of
the canyon, you follow the creek upstream for a little over a mile until you
reach Sturtevant Falls. You will pass several cabins and make 2 or 3 minor stream
crossings. Your feet may get a little wet.
Many people choose to turn the Sturtevant Falls hike into a
loop. You can re-trace your steps and follow the creek back downstream. If you bypass the paved road and continue to
follow the creek for about a mile, you will hit Hermit Falls. Many locals use
Hermit Falls as a swimming hole in the summer time. From Hermit Falls, you can take the Billy
Goat trail back to Chantry Flats completing the loop. This trail is relatively
steep and can get muddy after a rain storm.
There are 2 campgrounds located in the vicinity of
Sturtevant Falls, Hoegees Camp and the Spruce Grove Camp. Both campgrounds are
walk-in only. The restrooms are primitive and running water is not available,
so you will need a way to purify the water from the creek. Many backpackers use the camps on the way to the
summit of Mount Wilson. I’ve never seen more than a small handful of people use
the camps at any given time.
To reach Chantry Flats from the 210 in Sierra Madre, exit
onto Santa Anita Ave and follow it North towards the mountains. After about 3
miles, Santa Anita Ave turns into Chantry Flats Road. The last section of the
road is 3 miles of perilous mountain driving which dead ends at the parking lot
for Chantry Flats. The gate to Chantry Flats is open from 8 am- 8 pm. Parking
is 10$ per day, or you must display a current Forest Adventure Pass which can
be purchased on site.
Additional Information about Sturtevant Falls Can be found
at these websites:
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Gabrielino Trail |
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| Hermit Falls, Sierra Madre California |
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| Hermit Falls Swimming Hole |
