Eaton Canyon to Henninger Flats in August 2011

The trail was hot and dusty when we started walking at 2:30 in the afternoon. We made sure the dogs had plenty of water before starting, but even so, they started panting and looking miserable within a few minutes of getting on the trail. Our solution was a trick we saw in brittany field trials…we used our Camelbaks to soak Gwenn and Mitch’s heads, which worked very well and we had energetic, eager dogs in short order.

LA County’s finest

Meeting up with the LA County Sheriff’s equestrian officers was a real treat. We were concerned that the dogs would scare the horses, or vice versa, but it was a peaceful coexistence for everyone. We realized, too, that Mitch spent his first two years around horses used for training brittanys, and he was probably more comfortable with the horses than the humans we met along the trail. With all of the people that have been using this trail this year (there is more water than usual), there have been problems, including people who died in the months of July and August from falls from the canyon walls, so seeing the police presence was reassuring. This first section of trail is 1 km (.6 miles) and gains only 30 m. (93 ft.), making it the easiest section of the hike.

The Horse Trail
We left the crowds behind when we turned right on the Horse Trail at the 1km (.6 mile) point. The Horse Trail is the local name for a 1 km (.6 mile) short, narrow and steep trail that forms a cutoff connecting the Mt Wilson Toll Road with the Eaton Canyon Trail. Taking this trail is a tough way to start a hike and we are usually winded in the first few minutes. The elevation gain, however, is the payoff as the top of the trail is the first opportunity for a great view. In the short 1 km that it runs, this trail gains a whopping 155 m. (480 ft.). Make no mistake, this trail is tough for those who don’t normally hike. Going down is equally challenging, as the trail is degraded by water runoff and dense vegetation.

On the Toll Road

Once on the Mt Wilson Toll Road (no longer an actual toll road), the trail is wide enough for Forest Service trucks and a favorite of bicyclists. It also far less steep than the Horse Trail, though it has sections that make you consider a little more conditioning. Remember that mountain bikers can come around the next corner at high speeds and watch for rattlesnakes that love to sun along the the 3 km (1.8 miles) way to the Flats. The total elevation gain is 282 m. (874 feet) and is moderately difficult.

Henninger Flats

Henninger Flats is a cool and peaceful place after a hike that takes place mostly in the sun. Pine trees were planted many years ago that have survived forest fires and make the Flat an excellent ‘bench’ to look out over Los Angeles, have a lunch, and refill you water containers. There are public taps for water, benches and picnic tables for relaxing. There are grills that allow for cooking, but there is no firewood nearby and the design of the stove is such that the top surface is iron and must be headed from below (no grates). If you want to cook out at Henninger, bring lots of charcoal.

The way down

Our favorite way to return from Henninger Flats is to remain on the Mt Wilson Toll Road past the Horse Trail to avoid the steepness that can be a challenge with dogs on leash. By taking the longer way down, the footing is much better and the additional distance is only 1.9 km (1.1 miles). As the trail reaches the junction of the Eaton Canyon Trail, there are three options:

• Make you way under the bridge by traveling back toward the parking lot about 50 m. (155 ft.) and taking the Waterfall Trail deeper into Eaton Canyon
• Cross the white bridge over the Canyon and exit by the back gate on the opposite side of the hill as you approach
• Return to the Eaton Canyon Nature Center by the Eaton Canyon Trail