DAY TRIP Eaton County Natural Area

Tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains, not far from downtown Los Angeles, is the Eaton Canyon, known for its steep gorges and portions of the San Gabriel River. Known by Spanish settlers as “El Precipicio,” Eaton Canyon is now named for Judge Benjamin Eaton, who built the first Fair Oaks Ranch House in 1865.

The area has an extensive history, including the San Gabriel Mission, founded in 1771, and the site was also used for secret laboratories and experimental stations in the early 1940s to develop and manufacture rockets for World War II.

The first nature center at Eaton Canyon was built in 1963, and volunteers were trained to take people on tours in 1978. In 1993, wildfires destroyed the nature center while burning much of Eaton Canyon. In 1998, a new nature center building was opened to the public.

GETTING THERE

Take the 405 Freeway north for about 12 miles. Exit on the 605 Freeway and go north. Travel on the 605 Freeway for about 27 miles. Take the exit on the left onto the 210 Freeway west toward Pasadena. Exit toward Sierra Madre Boulevard/San Marino. Merge onto Maple Street and then turn right onto North San Gabriel Boulevard. Turn left at North Sierra Madre Boulevard and then left at East Orange Grove Boulevard. Turn right at North Altadena Drive.

HOURS

The Nature Center at the Eaton County Natural Area is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Self-guided and docent-guided tours of Eaton Canyon are available with a reservation. School tours for grades three through six are available from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Fridays with reservation. Self-guided tours for schools are available at any time of the day Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

ADMISSION

Most of the exhibits and events at the Nature Center are free and open to the public. Some events, like the Moonlight Nature Walks, ask for a $2 donation. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center offers a membership to those interested. Members receive a newsletter about the nature center and special interest articles, program announcements and a 10% discount at the gift shop. Membership fees help support the Nature Center. Membership costs are $15 for seniors and students, $30 for adults, $45 for families, $75 to become a “friend” of the center, $100 for a patron membership, $250 to become a supporting associate and $1,000 to become a Golden Oak.

MOONLIGHT NATURE WALKS

During the summer, moonlight nature walks are Friday nights when the time is closest to a full moon. The next walk is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Interested parties can meet 15 minutes prior to the walk at the information desk in the Nature Center. The walk is $2 per person, but those who wear an Eaton Canyon T-shirt walk for free. There must be one adult per 10 children on the walk. The Nature Center advises people to bring water, wear sturdy walking boots or shoes and to dress appropriately for the weather.

— Daniel Tedford