The Shocking Beauty That Hides in Placerita Canyon

Nestled deep inside the Santa Clarita Valley lies a magical place I'm embarrassed to admit I've just discovered. A pioneer trail, where cowboys once rode. A place called Placerita Canyon. After a recent family tragedy, I found myself stranded in (what Angelenos may call the boones) Valencia with nowhere to go and nothing to do so I dragged my parents off their comfy couch to wander the mountains with me.

What I found there was breathtaking. Lush greenery, rolling streams and trees that nearly kissed the sky. Who knew such a snooze of a town could hold such untouched beauty. We hiked the 3.5 miles to the waterfall, which was unfortunately a bit of a bust, but the hours spent admiring our surroundings in their purest form with the parentals was nothing short of a majestic day.

For those of you looking to dust off those cowboy boots and explore a new (or rather old) frontier, try this hike:

Placerita Canyon Waterfall Hike

To get to the trailhead: Drive up the 5 Freeway to Newhall Pass and take exit 162 for Route 14. Drive 2.6 miles north on Route 14 and take exit 3 for Placerita Canyon Road. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and drive 1.5 miles to the entrance of Placerita Canyon Natural Area, which will be on your right. Pull into the park and make your way to the trailhead next to the nature center.

Trailhead address: 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, CA 91321 Trailhead coordinates: 34.377866, -118.467618 (34° 22′ 40.31″N 118° 28′ 03.42″W)

3 Waterfall Hikes to Escape the LA Grind

Los Angeles is a magical place. And it wasn't until a close friend of mine moved from Denver that I realized how lucky I've been to call this place home. The cityscapes, the beaches, the mountains -- all within a short drive from each other. And the weather...always perfection. 

Few Angelenos actually take the time to discover the more uncharted parts of the city -- something I've most recently dedicated my spare hours seeking out. 30 miles away from the urban sprawl lie some of the most beautiful natural landscapes I've seen. Chasing waterfalls has become my new part-time gig. Here are the best LA hikes I've discovered so far:

Switzer Falls

A 3.5 mile hike located near Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains is one of LA's best waterfall hikes. It's moderate hike, the hardest part being the walk back to the parking lot, but easily one of my favorites in the region. Much of the waterfall has been dried up thanks to the California drought, but there's enough creek crossings, lush greenery and wooden canyon walking to make one instantly forget that they're so close to Tinseltown.

To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in La Cañada Flintridge, take the Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) northwest for 10 miles to the Switzer Picnic Area. Descent to the parking lot, display your adventure pass and begin hiking. If the lot at the picnic area is full, there is additional parking at the top of the road. 

Trailhead address: Switzer Truck Trail, Angeles National Forest, Tujunga, CA 91042 Trailhead coordinates: 34.266239, -118.1457 (34° 15′ 58.46″N 118° 08′ 44.52″W)

Eaton Canyon

Heed my warning: don't go on a weekend! I made the mistake of coming here on a Saturday afternoon and the crowd was comparable to a weekend trip to Cosco. So ridiculous! However, if you're looking for a hiking option with great canyon views, come here on a weekday for a chill afternoon. Located in Pasadena, California, this 3.5 mile (out and back) hike is one of the easiest I've ever done. Perfect for novices, children and dogs.

To get to the trailhead: Take the Altadena exit off the 210 Freeway in Pasadena. Head north on Altadena Drive. The Eaton Canyon Nature Area is a couple miles up the road on the right past New York Drive. Pull into the park, leave your vehicle in the lot by the nature center and start hiking north.

Trailhead address: 1750 North Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107 Trailhead coordinates: 34.177202, -118.096485 (34° 10′ 37.92″N 118° 05′ 47.34″W)

Sturtevant Falls
Located in Sierra Madre's Chantry Flats area, this hike is home to an old resort town named for canyon pioneer Wilbur M. Sturtevant in the 1890s. Hiking around the area will find remnants of cabins and other staples, which make for a fun little stroll, and the shaded woods make for an instant escape from the bustle of the city. Try this 3.7 mile hike if you're wanting to take a little trip through time and space and find yourself in an old mountaineer's piece of heaven.

To get to the trailhead: Take the 210 east through Pasadena to Arcadia. Exit on Santa Anita Avenue and head north. Go up the mountain for 5 miles until the road ends at Chantry Flats.

Trailhead address: Chantry Flats Road, Angeles National Forest, Arcadia, CA 91006 Trailhead coordinates: 34.195515, -118.022503 (34° 11′ 43.85″N 118° 01′ 21.01″W)