Hiked December 14, 2025. I've hiked this trail many times, but not recently. It was closed due to fire damage for an extended period of time, then closed due to mud damage that resulted from heavy rains after the fire. But, with my other usual Front Range waterfall hikes off limits due to other fire closures, well, here we were.
Relatedly, the city of Monrovia does occasional family camping events in the park, where the Old Town Sidewalk Astronomers set up telescopes for family viewing. There are tentatively scheduled events in January, February, and March, although I don't see them on the city or park websites, yet.
We did a little "pilot" for that last month, where I set up my 14" dob for city staff to view through. But mainly it was for me to get an idea of what sort of deep sky objects might work from what is still a very bright sky, but at least not without any light sources in the immediate area (unlike our sidwalk astronomy site, which is surrounded by numerous light fixtures!). Turns out some of the emission nebula (Dumbbell, Ring) showed pretty nicely with various light pollution filters. The Andromeda Galaxy and M15 globular cluster in Pegasus, by contrast, did not take the light pollution well. For the fun of it, I did try the Veil Nebula with my OIII filter, and I could make it out, but it was definitely not obvious.
At any rate, if family camping and astronomy are of interest to your kids, keep an eye out for this in city of Monvoria communications, or contact Canyon Park for further information.
As for the hike, I parked down before the Dip, which is just before Canyon Blvd splits to the right (going straight turns into Oakglade Drive). Small herd of deer were feeding off the home lawns, there. From the Dip, it's about four miles, roundtrip, if you walk the road past the gate and entrance kiosk, to the Waterfall Trail. A single all-gender restroom is near the entrance kiosk. Other restrooms are located at the nature center.
It's already mid-December, but there were a few splashes of color to be seen. I assumed it was a sycamore that gave me the yellow leaves, but i was told it was a Big Leaf maple. I am not completely sure, but it was pretty, either way. Also, in southern California, the poison oak leaves turn red in the winter.
Nice to get a few steps off-pavement. Also, a chance to wear some hiking boots, to try to build up callouses for longer hikes, next year.
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