- Miles: 0.75
- Time: 45 min
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best Season: Spring
- Elevation Gain: 160 ft
- Max Elevation: 3781
- Type of Trail: Out & Back
- Parking Lot: Dirt Lot, Fits 30+ Cars
- Dogs: Allowed on a leash
- Restrooms: Not Available
- Trail Popularity: High
- Pics Taken On: May 7, 2023
Stoddard Falls is not just any type of waterfall. It’s a rockslide falls with a pool for floating and relaxing. Not to mention, the water in the creek is crystal clear, and even looks blue, something we rarely see in Southern California.
Stoddard Canyon Falls is a forty foot waterfall located in the Mt Baldy area. It’s a short easy hike. However, the small section of the trail which heads down from the road to the canyon floor is steep and slippery, and shouldn’t be attempted by people with poor balance or those who are afraid of heights. If there is a lot of water in San Antonio Creek, getting to the falls may be difficult and dangerous.
Stoddard Falls is one of the nicest waterfalls (and overall best hikes) in Southern California. However, it’s far from the only one. To view abandoned gold mines, 500 ft waterfalls, and multiple ruins, click the links below:
Best Hikes In Southern California
Stoddard Falls Map
Parking & Directions
To be redirected to the Stoddard Falls Trailhead via Google Maps, click the link here.
This hike shares the same trailhead with Stoddard Peak.
Helpful Links
SoCal Adventure Pass (required for parking in CA mountains)
Stoddard Falls Trail
I began the hike on the concrete road on the west side of the creek. Make sure you don’t go up the dirt road, as it goes up to Stoddard Peak.
You know you’re on the right track when you can see the bridge on the opposite side of the canyon that crosses the creek and leads up the dirt road.
A little further down, I noticed dirt trails splitting off of the concrete road, so I decided to head down and explore.
I was so amazed at how blue and clear the water was. I’ve yet to see another creek with water as nice as this one.
Turns out they were dirt trails leading to the top of the falls. The shot both above and below were taken from these short detours.
I passed the top of the falls and kept heading down the paved road. Shortly after, I reached a tree with branches which were hanging over the road. This is where I made my way down.
I know the way down looks extremely steep, but trust me when I tell you it’s not that bad in person. For some reason ledges look way steeper in pictures. It’s a bit slippery, but it’s not too bad.
The trail descends straight down and then makes a sharp right for a gradual descend to the canyon floor.
When I got to the bottom, I busted a U-turn and started making my way upstream towards the falls.
Here she is. The beautiful Stoddard Falls, named after Barret Stoddard, brother in law of one of the four transcontinental railroad builders, Collis Huntington (Collis was the uncle of Henry Huntington).
Want to explore more waters in or near LA county? Check out the post below:
Best Waterfalls In Los Angeles
Barret Stoddard on his trusty mule.
I have to share some very interesting information I recently found in one my local history books. Apparently, this waterfall is not the real Stoddard Falls.
The real Stoddard Falls has been lost to history for roughly a century and measures a whopping 100 feet tall. In fact, the waterfall on this hike used to be known as Old Falls. Don’t believe me? Check out this picture I took from one of my favorite books, The San Gabriels.
However, I recently located it.
By the way, if you find there’s too many people at the falls, you can continue down the road and find plenty of nice spots with semi deep pools in the creek, and have them all to yourselves.
If you hike to Stoddard Falls, don’t forget to also check out Stoddard Peak, as both hikes can be done in the same day.
