○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
6.0 miRound Trip
900 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
3-4 hoursEst. Time
2,900 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Millard Canyon Falls and Dawn Mine Loop

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
81°F, Clear Sky. Wind 12 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
☀️
81°
Clear Sky
Feels 82°F
💨 Wind
12 mph S
No significant gusts
💧 Humidity
56%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:13 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:41 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
2 pm
☀️
81°
Feels 82°
💨 10/8
5 pm
☀️
80°
Feels 81°
💨 8/6
8 pm
🌙
74°
Feels 74°
💨 4/5
11 pm
🌙
68°
Feels 68°
💨 4/5
5-Day Forecast
☀️
Today
Clear Sky
81°F
feels 82°
💨 Wind/Gust
10/8 S
💧 Humidity
56% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Sat, Aug 15
Clear Sky
67°F
feels 68°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/4 ENE
💧 Humidity
77% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Sun, Aug 16
Clear Sky
72°F
feels 71°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/2 NE
💧 Humidity
52% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Aug 17
Clear Sky
73°F
feels 72°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/3 ENE
💧 Humidity
42% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Tue, Aug 18
Broken Clouds
77°F
feels 77°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/4 ENE
💧 Humidity
42% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
57% Mostly cloudy
Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Aug 14, 1:02 pm

A shadowy journey through a shaded Altadena stream canyon — boulder-hopping to a small seasonal waterfall, then looping up Sunset Ridge past the gated entrance of an 1890s gold mine tucked into a cliff face.

Trail Overview

Millard Canyon is one of the most underrated hikes in the Altadena area. The creek bottom requires some boulder hopping and the trail disappears in spots — this is part of the appeal. The waterfall runs best after winter rain and in early spring. Dawn Mine is gated and cannot be entered but the setting is atmospheric. The Sunset Ridge return gives LA Basin views that contrast sharply with the shaded canyon below.

This Hike Is For You If…

Intermediate hikers who enjoy route-finding and canyon exploration. History enthusiasts interested in gold rush era relics. Dog-friendly when creek levels are low.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip the creek section after heavy rain — it becomes slippery and the bouldering is hazardous wet.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Boulder-hop creek bottom lower section. Established trail upper loop. No Adventure Pass required.

Shade: Mostly Shaded

Water: Seasonal. Millard Creek runs lower section. Seasonal. Filter if drinking.

Views: Good

Crowds: Popular Altadena area trail but less crowded than Echo Mountain.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. The lot is small and street access is limited.


This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

👞

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6.0 miRound Trip
900 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
3-4 hoursEst. Time
2900 ftHighest Point
LoopRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Millard Canyon Campground, Millard Canyon Road, Altadena, CA 91001
Parking: Small lot at Millard Canyon campground. Free. No Adventure Pass required. Fills on weekend mornings.
Bathroom: Pit Toilet
Cell Service: Good
Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. The lot is small and street access is limited.

Trail Reality Check

Millard Canyon is one of the most underrated hikes in the Altadena area. The creek bottom requires some boulder hopping and the trail disappears in spots — this is part of the appeal. The waterfall runs best after winter rain and in early spring. Dawn Mine is gated and cannot be entered but the setting is atmospheric. The Sunset Ridge return gives LA Basin views that contrast sharply with the shaded canyon below.

Terrain: Boulder-hop creek bottom lower section. Established trail upper loop. No Adventure Pass required.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Seasonal — Millard Creek runs lower section. Seasonal. Filter if drinking.
Views: Good
Crowds: Moderate — Popular Altadena area trail but less crowded than Echo Mountain.
Who should do this: Intermediate hikers who enjoy route-finding and canyon exploration. History enthusiasts interested in gold rush era relics. Dog-friendly when creek levels are low.
Who should skip this: Skip the creek section after heavy rain — it becomes slippery and the bouldering is hazardous wet.