Sierra Madre, California
Hermit Falls is an increasingly popular cliff jumping spot. The hike in is pretty easy but awkward because elevation gain is completely backwards. The first half of the hike is all downhill and to get back to the parking lot, you have to hike right back up! It seems that the overpopulation in this area has generated a lot of trash. Please... if you plan on hiking this in the future, it would mean so much if you brought a trash bag with you. Other than that, the hike in is beautiful and parallels a calm river. There are two points from where you can jump from and a fun little slide once you reach the falls. If you plan on jumping from the larger rock, don't forget to scout the bottom of the water to see if there are any rocks or if it is deep enough (especially in this drought). Cliff jumping here requires a perfect jump.. You can't jump too far or too close from the edge. People have died here or have been severely injured. [1] [2] [3] [4] Coming back up may also be hard for some people due to the wet, slippery granite. There is nylon cord wrapped around a questionable rock. Use your own judgement if you're going to use it. I might have to come back sometimes to set up a proper anchor. Don't forget to drop by Adam's Pack Station to enjoy a nice hotdog/hamburger and a cold drink!
Distance: 2.6 miles (Out-and-Back)
Elevation Gain: 698 ft.
Final Elevation: ~1,500 ft.
Directions to Chantry Flat Rd: Use the following coordinates in Google Maps to route your directions to Chantry Flat Rd.
34.171601,-118.032156
From Santa Anita Ave, drive north onto Chantry Flat Rd. until you reach a parking lot. You will need an Adventure Pass to park here. The trail starts below the parking lot on a fire road going downhill.
The parking lot was full but we got lucky and got a spot in Adam's Pack Station. It is $5 during the week and $10 on the weekends/holidays.
Parking at Adam's Pack Station
Fire road leading you to the trailhead.
Start of the trail.
Pretty chill trail!
First river crossing.
Continuing on.
Made it! Holy smokes it's busy here.
Bottom of the falls.
Kids egging their friend to jump...
Trashed.
#10.
Chris's Difficulty Scale - 1/10
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