San Antonio Falls on 5/29/2010

Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved.  Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability.  All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities.  The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here.   Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

San Antonio Falls

• Location:  Angeles National Forest near Mt. Baldy.  From Interstate 210, take the Mountain Avenue exit and follow Mountain Avenue 4.3 miles (its name changes to Shinn en route) to its end at Mt. Baldy Road.  Turn right and drive 9 miles to San Antonio Falls Road (on the left, 0.3 miles past the Manker Flats campground).  A National Forest Service adventure pass ($5 per day or $30 per year) is required. Click here to purchase.
• Agency:  Angeles National Forest, San Gabriel River District
• Distance: 1.4 miles (out and back)
• Elevation gain: 200 feet
• Suggested time: 45 minutes
• Difficulty: G
• Best season: All year
• USGS topo map: “Mt. San Antonio”
• Recommended guidebook: Easy Hiking in Southern California
• More information: here
• Rating: 5

If you are looking for a taste of Mt. Baldy but aren’t quite ready to tackle the real thing, this trip to 80-foot San Antonio Falls just might be the ticket–not to mention an easy, quick escape from the notorious summer heat of the Inland Empire.  People not used to high altitudes may find themselves a little winded (trailhead elevation is 6,160 feet) but the hike is short enough that this is not likely to be too big an issue.

The “trail” is a maintenance road leading out of the Manker Flats area.   Pass by the vehicle gate and head up on a steady incline, with great views of the L.A. basin on the left.   After a little more than half a mile, the road takes a sharp turn to the right and continues onto Baldy Notch, where it connects with the Devil’s Backbone trail to the Baldy summit.  However, this hike will end at the waterfall, which is visible from this spot.   It is possible to reach the base of the waterfall via a rough foot path, but be careful.  The waterfall’s flow is usually minimal by the summer, but this past winter’s heavy rainfall has made San Antonio Falls forceful even this late in the year.