Sturtevant Falls

Name: Sturtevant Falls
Location: End of Santa Anita Rd in Sierra Madre, CA (Arcadia)
Miles: 3.5 miles round trip
Duration:  1.5-2 hours
Elevation: 
Level: 4 (according to LATH)

I read about this trail yesterday on yelp, and Diana, my mentee choose this over Monrovia Canyon Falls. I was okay with the level and figured if I could do the Claremont Wilderness trail, I could do this. I was a little worried because LA Trail Hikers rated this a 4 and Monrovia Canyon Falls a 3 but I would actually switch them. I found Monrovia's to be a bit more challenging than Sturtevant.

Anyway, here's the review. This was a very fun trail to walk especially for Diana. We got there around 4:30pm which a perfect arrival time. All the reviews on yelp complained about bad parking and the hike to the actual trail. My suggestion is to come later in the day. That may not be ideal but seriously, there were about 10 people hiking to the falls with us. We found a parking spot at the top and was able to pay the $5 parking fee with no hassle. Bring cash though. They take debit/credit cards but you need to have a $10 minimum. I got gatorade and made a donation for the clean-up of graffiti.

Unfortunately, the bugs, flies and huge gnats attacked us as soon as we got out of the car.. and never left. You will need bug spray and be prepared to swat and blow air in your face because these things were relentless. There was also trash left around the trails. Not a lot but enough that made me wonder if they didn't read the signs that said do not leave trash- they have bears. Some people have no heart. smh

The hike itself was pretty smooth. The hike to the bridge was steep, but downward paved trail. It was nice but a little disconcerting to think of the walk back up. Once you get to the bridge, the dirt trail begins and you're about 1.2-1.5 away from the falls. There are a bunch of cabins scattered throughout the trail and it reminds you of Hansel and Gretel. Diana did see a rattlesnake as we approached the falls. Luckily it was heading in the opposite direction so we were good.

The falls itself were a little light. It was the end of July when we went so I'm assuming both the Monrovia and Sturtevant falls would be heavier in the late spring and early summer. Otherwise, this was a nice place to rest. This was Diana's first waterfall so she was excited to see it.

The hike back was easy.. it was once we got to the paved road when the incline began. It's a steep one. I had to stop a few times. Diana is very thin and young so the hike up was pretty easy for her. I had her do sprints uphill to every corner. This way both of us were a bit out of breath at the end. :D

I haven't seen any reviews for Hermit Falls but we're going to that next week. It's in the same canyon as Sturtevant. So we'll see!