Lewis Falls

A short but potentially challenging hike to a 50 foot waterfall high in the San Gabriel Mountains in a narrow, sylvan canyon. Beautiful foliage and seclusion make this hike a memorable excursion, even though it won’t win any awards for distance. The last part of the trek is a rugged, off-trail scramble through the creek bed – waterproof boots are highly recommended. Make this part of a multi-hike trip to the Crystal Lake region.

Most of the Angeles National Forest above Azusa along the CA-39 has been closed since I moved out to California, but earlier in 2011 the Forest Service re-opened the area devastated by the 2002 Curve Fire, which burned almost 21,000 acres. I hadn’t been able to make it out to the newly-reopened area until recently, but it’s definitely a place I’ll be exploring more earnestly in the future.

The trail to Lewis Falls along Soldier Creek is a very short trail – one mile round trip – but this is no stroll through the woods. The last tenth of a mile is a completely unmaintained scramble and boulder-hop along the creek bed, and will probably take you about as much time to traverse as the first 0.4 miles.

Drive up the CA-39 past the turn-off for East Fork and look for an unsigned creek crossing about 2.5 miles past Coldbrook Camp. It can be easy to miss, but look for the running water and prominent ‘No Fires’ sign – this is the trailhead.

While the trail is very close to the road, there still aren’t too many cars that travel this route – so you won’t notice much in the way of traffic noise. Instead, you’ll probably be surprised at how quickly the forest truly envelops you. With only a few footsteps, you’ll be transported to an incredibly picturesque and secluded stream-side canyon.

The Curve Fire wiped out most of the cabins that used to stand in this canyon, but there are a few that stubbornly hold on, remnants of the old Falling Springs Wilderness Resort that used to operate here. Topo maps may still have the names “Falling Springs” or “La Cienega” in the region, another name for the same getaway spot. Some remaining cabins are still leased out and others are under slow reconstruction. You’ll pass these along the way on the well-marked part of the trail. Don’t disturb the residents if they’re at home.

Continue on this short trail as it passes a surprising variety of terrain – from large boulders to ivy-covered trees to the ruins of some of those cabins that didn’t make it through the Curve Fire … all the while enjoying the soothing white noise from Soldier Creek, just to your left.

At the ruins of one particular cabin at about the 0.4 mile mark, you will note a brown wooden fence overlooking a steep decline to the creek. The trail appears to end here.

Keep following the fence along the small ridge and look for a well-beaten footpath that climbs down from the cabin site into the creek bed itself. And just so you have a sense of how different the last part of this hike is going to be, this is now what your trail looks like:

It’s not impassible, but it can be a challenge for anyone who’s not prepared for it. Just don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty or your feet wet, and get ready to exercise your sense of balance on a few log crossings along the way – but it’s actually a really fun way to finish up this trail, and it makes your arrival at Lewis Falls all the more rewarding.

The canyon ends at the waterfall, so there’s no chance of you missing it. Lewis Falls is named for the longtime Forest Service ranger Anselmo Lewis, who frequently patrolled in this area. There are a few places near the falls to sit down for a spell and enjoy your beautiful surroundings. Take your time, relax, and then return back the way you came when you’ve had your fill.

Tags: Angeles National Forest, crystal lake, Hiking, lewis falls, Los Angeles, soldier creek, Soldier Creek Falls, waterfalls