Cooper Canyon Falls Hiking Guide
Cooper Canyon Falls is the antidote to Southern California's hot, dusty waterfall hikes. Starting from Buckhorn Campground at around 6,300 feet, the Burkhart Trail descends through tall Jeffrey pine and incense cedar into a shaded canyon where a roughly 25-foot waterfall drops into a pool. The catch is built into the geography: you hike down to the falls, which means the climb comes at the end when your legs are already done.
Starting from Buckhorn
The trailhead is at Buckhorn Campground off Angeles Crest Highway, and the parking situation depends on whether the campground is open for the season. When it is, drive through to the day-use area at the far end; when it is gated, park along the highway and walk in, which adds close to a mile each way. An Adventure Pass is required. Because this is high country on SR-2, the seasonal highway closure is the first thing to check — for much of the winter this hike simply is not accessible.
Down the Burkhart Trail
The trail descends through genuinely beautiful forest, following the drainage with the creek audible below. The grade is moderate and the tread is good, shaded nearly the entire way — a rarity worth savoring. After roughly two and a half miles you reach a junction with the Pacific Crest Trail; the falls are just below and slightly downstream. The signage here is reasonable but the falls are not visible from the main trail, so watch for the spur and the sound of water rather than expecting an obvious viewpoint.
The Final Descent to the Pool
Getting down to the base of the falls requires a short, steep scramble down a rock face, often with a knotted rope left in place by previous visitors. Treat that rope as unknown-quality gear, not as fixed protection — it is not maintained by anyone and its condition varies. The rock is slick when wet and the drop is enough to hurt you badly. Plenty of people are content to look from above rather than commit to the downclimb, and that is a perfectly reasonable call, particularly with kids or dogs along.
Snowmelt Timing
This drainage runs on snowmelt from the high country, so the schedule is different from the rain-fed front-range falls. Late spring and early summer, as the snowpack releases, give the strongest and most reliable flow. Mid-summer usually holds a decent stream in the shade. By deep autumn in a dry year it can slow to a trickle. The combination of good water and cool forest makes June one of the best months here, right after the highway reopens and before the valley heat peaks.
The Climb Out and Other Realities
Remember that every foot you descend on the way in has to be regained on the way out, at altitude, usually in the warmest part of the day. Budget noticeably more time for the return than for the approach. There is no water source you should drink from without treatment, and no facilities beyond the campground. Leashed dogs handle the main trail well but the final scramble to the pool is not dog-appropriate. Bears are present in this drainage — do not leave food unattended at the pool while you swim.
Hiking tips for Cooper Canyon Falls
- Plan for the return climb; the falls are downhill from the trailhead, so the hardest part comes last, at altitude, in the day's warmest hours.
- Time it for late spring and early June when snowmelt has the falls running strong and the highway has just reopened for the season.
- Do not trust the knotted rope on the final downclimb — it is unmaintained by anyone and its condition changes without warning.
- Check whether Buckhorn Campground is open; when the gate is shut you are adding close to a mile each way from the highway shoulder.
- Keep food with you at the pool rather than leaving packs on the rocks — this drainage has an active bear population.
Nearby trails to explore
- Mount Waterman
- Mount Islip
- Devil's Punchbowl
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Cooper Canyon is one of the coolest, greenest hikes in the San Gabriels once the highway opens. Use TrailMates to find hikers coordinating early-summer Angeles Crest trips, split the drive, and get a heads-up on whether Buckhorn is gated. Download the TrailMates app to join a group hike.