Dawn Mine — Attraction in Altadena

One of my favorite hikes in LA. I would rate this as Moderate given the elevation change and rocky paths but it’s possible for all ages and skill levels. You get to hike through many different zones including goat paths on the side of the mountain, paved roads at the beginning, and multiple creek crossings and some minor boulder climbing. Parking is at the top of where you turn left to go down toward Millard Falls and there are only 6 spaces available so that area fills up quickly. We arrived @ 7:30AM and didn’t have any issues parking and didn’t encounter anyone until our hike back out.

It’s easy to follow the path as it’s marked well. The first landmark you’ll see is a formerly used cabin as you descend down into the canyon and as you follow the canyon to the end you will see many old mining equipment and plumbing strewn near the creek you are walking parallel to. You have to cross the creek a few times but it’s only a few inches deep and there are rocks already placed for crossing. There are portions with pools deep enough to dunk in and even a section with 3 small pools with water slides into each pool. Something worth checking out when the weather is warmer.

The mine at the end is underwhelming because it’s blocked off with steel bars and is very low to the ground and is flooded with water. I would say the walk to the mine is the best part not the destination. Overall a great hike with beautiful scenery and hiking with the sound of running water the whole time is...

IMPORTANT : ENTRANCE TO THE MINE AS BEEN CLOSED. It used to be possible to make the hike into a loop and perhaps it still is,(we did it) but due to poor trail conditions, the best and “easiest” way to see the mine is heading straight up through the canyon. From the parking area of MillardCampground , follow a sign to Sunset Ridge for about 0.3 miles to a junction with the Sunset Ridge Trail, a single-track. Follow it around the south rim of Millard Canyon, getting some dramatic views, including the waterfall. At about a mile from the start, you reach a Y-fork. The Sunset Ridge Trail continues upward to the right, eventually rejoining the fire road. To get to Dawn Mine, bear left and follow the trail as it descends past a cabin, soon reaching the bottom of the canyon. Now the challenge begins. You make your way slowly up the canyon, crossing the stream bed several times. Navigation can be tricky, but there are many trail ducks that help point the way. In some places a semblance of the trail or evidence of hikers before you can help; the route usually sticks pretty close to the banks...

Overall, we had a nice time, the views were pretty and there’s a nice stream that runs along most of the hike. But once you get deep in the trail, it’s not very well maintained, there are a lot of difficult stretches over rock and steep areas. Most significantly, there are many points where it’s difficult to tell where the trail is. We got lost on the way back and that tacked on like 30 minutes to our trip. There are NO SIGNS after the first mile or so. If you haven’t been before, it’s easy to get lost or just get off the trail because it’s not marked well. Also many patches of poison oak. Just keep your eye out and make sure you know where...