Chantry Flat to Sturtevant Falls — San Gabriel Mountains
Trail Overview
Sturtevant Falls is one of the most popular short hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains for good reason: accessible from Arcadia and Monrovia, genuinely scenic canyon trail, creek crossings that are fun for dogs, and a 50-foot waterfall at the end with the best payoff-per-effort ratio in the front range. It’s the right hike for a beginner’s first time, for introducing your dog to mountain terrain, or for a shorter training day when you don’t have time for Mount Wilson.
The trail starts at Chantry Flat, drops immediately into Big Santa Anita Canyon on a paved fire road, then follows a creek trail through oak and sycamore to the falls. The route passes Sturtevant Camp, a private wilderness camp that has operated for over 100 years.
⚡ Trail Reality Check
Tier 1 — sourced information.
Same parking problem as Mount Wilson — same trailhead, same lot, same 7am fill time on weekends. For the falls specifically, a Tuesday morning in October is a completely different experience from a Saturday in March.
The paved fire road descent to the canyon (about 0.5 miles) is steep enough to be hard on knees on the return. This is often described as “easy” and it mostly is — but the paved descent trips people who aren’t expecting it.
The falls are seasonal. After good winter rains (January–March), they’re impressive. By May, reduced. By July, typically a trickle. If the falls are your reason for coming, check recent trip reports and come in late winter or spring.
✅ This hike is for you if…
You’re new to the San Gabriels and want a scenic intro hike. You’re hiking with a dog who needs creek access and shade. You have 2–3 hours and want a real trail experience without a full-day commitment. You want a good hike for kids or variable fitness levels.
🚫 Skip this hike if…
You want a guaranteed impressive waterfall — come in winter or early spring only. It’s a summer weekend and you’re not arriving before 7am. You want solitude — this is one of the most trafficked trails in the San Gabriels.
🐕 June’s Dog Report
Creek access, shade throughout the canyon, and manageable terrain make this one of June’s top San Gabriel picks for dogs new to hiking or not built for long days. The multiple creek crossings give her water access throughout — she won’t need you to carry much water if the creek is running. In summer, carry all dog water — the creek can be very low by July.
| Water: | Creek access in lower canyon — seasonal. Carry all dog water in summer. |
| Shade: | Excellent — canyon trail throughout |
| Paw Safety: | Safe — creek rock and dirt, no hot exposed surfaces |
| Leash: | Required — Angeles National Forest |
| Wildlife: | Rattlesnakes possible in rocky sections near the falls |
🅿️ Trailhead & Logistics
| Address: | Chantry Flat Road, Arcadia, CA 91006 |
| Parking: | Adventure Pass required. Same lot as Mount Wilson — fills by 7am weekends. |
| Bathroom: | Pit toilets at Chantry Flat parking area. |
Coffee / Food: Same recommendations as Mount Wilson — same trailhead. Goldfinch Coffee, Arcadia before. Tacos after.
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Trail conditions change. Check creek and waterfall status in recent trip reports before visiting.
Trail Photos
📋 This is a Tier 1 trail — sourced from published guides, not yet personally hiked. Photos will be added when Andrew verifies this trail firsthand.