Mill Creek Falls is a beautiful hidden cascade located in Big Tujunga Canyon of the Angeles National Forest. Although the western San Gabriels see little water during summer, this particular waterfall still runs a pretty trickle in the driest months! What a gem!
Mill Creek Falls, Angeles National Forest
As the name implies, this waterfall is located on Mill Creek before the creek merges with Big Tujunga Creek. There isn’t much information anywhere else about this waterfall, except briefly in Christopher Brennan’s adventure of the Big Tujunga Trip under “Mill Creek Extension”
Upon reaching Mill Creek from the Picnic Area, you’re already amongst towering narrows.
Unfortunately ease of accessibility from the highway = vandalism.
Access is from Hidden Springs Picnic Area. It takes about 20-30 minutes of trekking in or around the creek, down the canyon. You’ll pass through a beautiful hidden gorge in which you need to carefully down a few boulders.
Beautiful gorge before the waterfall!
Next you’ll reach the top of the waterfall. Climbing down isn’t at first obvious. But you need to climb the rocks on the right. Once at the top, you’ll notice a faint foot path that others have used. It traverses some airy sections and some bouldering and careful maneuvering is required to reach the canyon bottom. Proceed with caution, know your ability and go at your own risk!
Climb up navigate around and see the bottom of the waterfall. Go at your own risk!
Careful scrambling down
Beautiful Mill Creek Falls, hidden gem
It is possible to keep hiking down to a point where Monkey Canyon begins and use the ropes to climb out, but you’ll need a second car waiting for you at that turnout.
This time we only did an out and back.
Click here for a map I created for Mill Creek Falls
Enjoy Responsibly!
Would be super nice after a few storms. Nice narrows. What’s with the sandbags? A cold pool to soak in when there’s water?
I think the sandbags were placed by cliff divers or other silly water aficionados to get a pool going during rain season. When I first visited early this summer they weren’t there.
This hike was fun. Thanks for another great recommendation Misty!
Additional things I wish I had known:
1) It took us 2 hours to get there, and 1 hour back. I think 2-3 hours roundtrip would be the average time it takes for most people.
2) Expect to get your feet wet, especially in one section where you’re stuck between the two walls of the canyon without any foot holds. We almost turned back, but I’m glad we didn’t as this is so close to the waterfall.
3) Eventually, you will end up at the top of the waterfall. The view isn’t great from here. Misty mentions to go to the right side of the waterfall. It was slightly more “right” than I expected. It involves initially climbing up, than gradually back down to the canyon floor, about 10 minutes. The path is quite do-able as there are lots of holds. I think if you’ve made it this far, you have the skills to get to the bottom. If it ever feels sketchy, there’s probably a better way. Waterfall view at the bottom is worth it, especially for the Aug dry season, it’s pretty tall!
**Missy (oops..)
Justin,
Thanks for the additional recommendations! I’m glad you didn’t turn back, its worth the bit of extra work to enjoy these beautiful falls
Wow, this looks amazing. I just recently started adventuring solo. Thank you for sharing all this info. I can’t wait to try and check some of these spots out myself. Please let me know if you do any group treks or adventures.