Cooper Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest

Cooper Canyon Falls

Cooper Canyon offers a relaxing summer waterfall for those staying at Buckhorn Campground or venturing into the Angeles National Forest for a get-away hike. This three-mile round-trip trek visits an enchanting forest and a small waterfall.

Those camping at Buckhorn should feel compelled to visit this trail. For other visitors, drive into the campground and follow signs for the day-use parking. Then take the Buckhart Trail that leaves from the north end of the parking lot. The single track starts down the west side of Buckhorn Canyon passing through a mixed forest of pines, alders, and oaks. To the right, several footpaths lead down to an unnamed creek. The last such sidetrack drops to an overlook that peers down on a tall slender waterfall.

See the slideshow below for a photo of this unnamed falls

Stay on the main trail to get to Cooper Canyon Falls. The forest gives way to wide views of Cooper Canyon and Pleasant View Ridge before wrapping to the left, and descending a rocky slope. On the return, this will be the toughest part of the hike.

Pleasant View Ridge

The trail turns east down Upper Little Rock Creek, passing through a pacifying glen of pines and ferns. If the falls weren’t so close ahead, this would be a great place to stop and relax, exploring the trees and creek.

Cross over the unnamed creek and continue to a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. Turn right, away from the Cooper Canyon Campground, and travel east just a bit further. Pay attention to the left side of the trail for the spot where Upper Little Rock Creek can be seen and heard tumbling over the falls. A couple of paths will break off down the steep sloop to the creek. This is the way to the falls. Descend carefully. There is a rope tied to a tree near the bottom to help hikers lower themselves the final ten feet.

Beneath the falls there are rocks to relax on and a pool to wade in. Small trout swim in the calm knee-high water. Cooper Canyon Falls is little more than thirty feet tall so it will not impress you with its grandeur, instead it will seduce you with its serenity.

The junction with the Pacific Crest Trail

To return, follow the trail back up the 700 feet of elevation to Buckhorn Campground. The start of this trail is at 6.400 feet and should be free of snow by the end of March. This is a good area to visit in the summer months; when lower elevation waterfalls loose their muster, Cooper Canyon should still have a strong flow.

If you are staying at Buckhorn and would like to hike uphill to vast views instead of downhill to the waterfall, consider the trail to Mount Waterman, which starts across the Angeles Crest Highway from the campground.

To get to the trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in La Canada, head northeast on the Angeles Crest Highway (CA 2) for 35 miles. Pass the Mt. Waterman ski area and turn left into the Buckhorn Campground. Drive through the campground 0.4 miles following signs for the day-use area. Be sure to display an adventure pass before starting down the Buckhart Trail.
 

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