Susan Hopkins

The 2023 water year in Southern California has become one of the wettest years of the 21st century. Over 30″ of precipitation has fallen in the canyon so far, with more on the way. All of this heavy rain has taken its toll on Eaton Canyon’s popular trails, with several sections of the main Eaton Canyon Trail being damaged. All of the damaged sections are north of the Eaton Canyon Natural Area Park boundary in other government jurisdictions.

 

A storm in December 2021 severely damaged a section of the Walnut Canyon Trail, allowing huge amounts of water to flow into a smaller canyon that normally wouldn’t see as much flow. This water drains on to the main Eaton Canyon Trail which was severely damaged during the January 10, 2023 storm. Subsequent storms have made the situation worse. The location of this trail rut is 34.18611139942555, -118.1007962997867

The 2005 flash flood that struck Eaton Canyon was one of the largest floods in the past century. Part of the main trail was washed out, and a ~25′ dirt and sandstone wall that was sculpted by this flood remains there to this day. Too much rain this past winter caused part of this sandstone wall to collapse on the main Eaton Canyon Trail during the January 10, 2023 storm.  About 80% of the trail was blocked by mud. It is still safe for hikers to bypass, but it is not possible for emergency vehicles to circumvent. The location of this mudslide is 34.18989461871701, -118.10316768066636

Lorraine Lazarus, Eaton Canyon Natural Area’s Superintendent, inspected damage to the trail on Monday, February 27th. A work order has been submitted and the county is planning to repair the trail rut following the current storm series. There has been no update on the mudslide further up the trail.

Photos: @ Edgar McGregor,  @ Susan Hopkins 

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