Edgar McGregor

On the afternoon of September 6, 2024, at approximately 2:30 PM, the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team (AMRT) responded to a hiker in distress near the Chuck Ballard Memorial Bridge. The hiker, suffering from heat illness, was extracted and is expected to recover.

The first week of September 2024 brought yet another significant heat wave to Southern California, with temperatures across many coastal valleys soaring into the 110s Fahrenheit. In lower Eaton Canyon, where Southern California Edison installed multiple weather stations in 2020 as a part of their controversial Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) program, high temperatures ranged from 111°F to 113°F. Henninger Flats, in comparison, recorded slightly cooler but still scorching highs of 107°F to 109°F. Old town Pasadena likely tied its record for hottest afternoon in 117 years of weather record keeping after reaching 115°F.

 

Heat illnesses are serious conditions that can escalate rapidly if not addressed. Symptoms include:

• No sweating
• Confusion or disorientation
• Limping or difficulty walking
• Shortness of breath
• Vomiting
• Throbbing headache
• Pale skin
• Unconsciousness

Heat stroke, the most severe form of heat illness, is a medical emergency that can be lethal. If you suspect someone is experiencing heat stroke, immediately call 9-1-1.

In recent weeks, a bear has been routinely tipping over the set of trash cans on the opposite side of the first crossing while scavenging for food. Eaton Canyon park staff have had to clean up the mess left behind by this bear dozens of times, sometimes for multiple mornings in a row. These trash cans often contain doggie bags, food scraps, huge amounts of plastic, diapers, unfinished drinks, and other products made for human consumption that can be harmful to bears. Plastic specifically can be deadly when mammals consume it as it can cause digestion blockages and toxicity. In addition, the heavy use of these trash cans by dog owners looking to throw away their doggie bags means that diseases and chemicals foreign to Eaton Canyon can spread throughout the ecosystem far more prolifically once consumed by this bear.

Earlier this year, a small group from the Eaton Canyon Nature Center that consisted of both county staff and ECNCA volunteers applied to the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Animal Welfare Grant to receive $10,000 to help protect wildlife in the park. On Monday, August 26th, 2024, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center installed new bear-proof trash cans using money from this grant and not taxpayer dollars.

The new bear-proof trash cans have both a trash and recycling side.

This set of trash cans will remain the final set of trash cans before visitors continue up to the waterfall. Due to the waterfall being inside the Angeles National Forest, it is expected that all visitors pack out their trash before leaving the park. Litter doesn’t just pollute the soil and water in Eaton Canyon and look unsightly. It also can pose a risk to animals who consume food stuck on plastic wrapping, possibly killing them. Be sure to pack out all trash when visiting any natural area.

In late July 2024, representatives from the City of Pasadena and the County of Los Angeles met to discuss ways to address the growing issue of unlawful food vending throughout Eaton Canyon. Since 2023’s heavy rains and subsequent skyrocket in visitation rates, food vendors have been repeatedly coming to Eaton Canyon several days per week with coolers full of drinks, fruit cups, and water bottles hoping to sell them to trail users. These food vendors often set up along the main trail directly south of the Mount Wilson Toll Road bridge, but occasionally also attempt to set up near the main parking lot. The presence of these vendors have led to an increase in littering throughout the canyon, potential health risks, as well as heated territorial disputes between different vendors.

Now, the two government agencies who control land within the topographical Eaton Canyon area have come together to put a stop to the vending. The two parties have all agreed that visitors to any part of Eaton Canyon who notice individuals selling food or drinks are encouraged to call the City of Pasadena Police Departments’ non-emergency line at (626) 744-4241. Upon being alerted to ongoing food vending activity, the operator may dispatch code enforcement officers to the canyon. This is made possible because while both government entities operate land within topographical Eaton Canyon, everything from the Nature Center to the main waterfall is still located within Pasadena City limits. Visitors are also asked to leave the law enforcing to the code compliance officers, and to not get involved beyond calling the non-emergency line.

Due to health concerns, high fire danger, and a trend of excessive littering, no food vending permits are given out at Los Angeles County Natural Area Parks or Pasadena Municipal Open Spaces save for those associated with government events and programming. As of late August 2024, both warnings and citations have already been given out.