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San Antonio Falls
Hiking Trail
Hard
1.32 mi
303 ft
Family-friendly hike to a tiered waterfall on Mount Baldy.
Mount San Antonio, commonly called Mount Baldy, is the tallest of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Its 10,000-foot summit collects snow in winter and meltwater streams down its rocky slopes. Tucked in a steep valley beneath the mountain’s south face, San Antonio Falls flows for much of the year. The most volume is in spring when snow is melting, but even in the dry months, it usually retains a small trickle. There is no swimming hole, but you can at least wet your face on a hot day and enjoy the mountain scenery. The hike to the falls is a bit steep, but paved for most of the way, making it good for strollers and small children. It begins from the Baldy Bowl Trailhead on a gated road. At a switchback in the road is the viewpoint for the falls. From there, a hiking trail leads the rest of the way. It is narrow and gets a bit rocky near the end, but is not difficult if dry. Mud, snow, or ice can make it treacherous, however. If you feel uncomfortable about this last section, you can stay in the safety of the paved overlook and still get a nice, though somewhat distant, view. The falls stream down a sloped cliff face in three distinct tiers, totaling about 100 feet in height. The water then trickles through a rocky stream bed, which you can cross to reach the base of the falls if it isn’t flowing too strongly. The area can get quite crowded on nice days and weekends, but there is some room to spread out. For a longer hike that leaves some of the crowds behind, continue up the road and hike the trail into Baldy Bowl, where you can hike the steep slopes that drain to the waterfall. Sources: Written by Jesse Weber
Mount San Antonio, commonly called Mount Baldy, is the tallest of the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles. Its 10,000-foot summit collects snow in winter and meltwater streams down its rocky slopes. Tucked in a steep valley beneath the mountain’s south face, San Antonio Falls flows for much of the year. The most volume is in spring when snow is melting, but even in the dry months, it usually retains a small trickle. There is no swimming hole, but you can at least wet your face on a hot day and enjoy the mountain scenery. The hike to the falls is a bit steep, but paved for most of the way, making it good for strollers and small children. It begins from the Baldy Bowl Trailhead on a gated road. At a switchback in the road is the viewpoint for the falls. From there, a hiking trail leads the rest of the way. It is narrow and gets a bit rocky near the end, but is not difficult if dry. Mud, snow, or ice can make it treacherous, however. If you feel uncomfortable about this last section, you can stay in the safety of the paved overlook and still get a nice, though somewhat distant, view. The falls stream down a sloped cliff face in three distinct tiers, totaling about 100 feet in height. The water then trickles through a rocky stream bed, which you can cross to reach the base of the falls if it isn’t flowing too strongly. The area can get quite crowded on nice days and weekends, but there is some room to spread out. For a longer hike that leaves some of the crowds behind, continue up the road and hike the trail into Baldy Bowl, where you can hike the steep slopes that drain to the waterfall. Sources: Written by Jesse Weber
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Strava Routes
Route and Elevation
Segments
| Name | Distance | Elev. Diff. | Avg. Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baldy Rd Climb | 0.70 mi | 279 ft | 7.5% |
| Falls Road Climb | 0.54 mi | 246 ft | 8.6% |