Eaton Canyon, Natural canyon in San Gabriel Mountains, California
Eaton Canyon is a natural canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains featuring multiple hiking trails and native plant communities throughout its terrain. A 50-foot waterfall marks the creek as it flows through the protected area.
The canyon took its name from Judge Benjamin S. Eaton, who settled on his ranch in the area starting in 1865. The waterway itself had been important to earlier inhabitants long before European settlement.
The Tongva people relied on this canyon's abundant water and plant life to sustain their communities in the area. The freshwater stream and surrounding vegetation were vital to their way of living here.
A visitor center at the entrance offers parking and information about local wildlife along with trail guidance. It serves as the main starting point for walks, especially for those heading to the waterfall.
In 2022, a small parcel of land overlooking the canyon was returned to Tongva ownership for the first time since the 1800s. This marked a significant return of property to the original inhabitants after more than a century of separation.
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