Altadena to Millard Falls via Altadena Crest Trail, July 5th, 2004. In a cool, shady canyon, Millard Falls are really beautiful these days. On the morning of Monday July 5th, six hikers and two Australian Shepherds made the trek up to Millard Canyon Campground via Sunset Ridge, then on to Millard Falls. We left one car on Loma Alta Drive and drove about halfway up Chaney Trail and parked. Past the first Forest Service sign, but well before the Mt Lowe Road parking area, there is a very obvious trailhead here that cuts straight uphill to the north, just where Chaney Trail turns sharply left to head straight west for a short stretch. We began walking at about 9 am. The Sunset Ridge part is steep and exposed, so wear a hat and sunscreen and bring plenty of water. You will want shoes with good traction. Passing Mt Lowe Rd at the top, you will notice a few large pines and a sign for the Altadena Crest Trail. Follow a short stretch of paved Road up, and then take the obvious, single-track trail down into the canyon. A sign says Millard Camp .5 miles. This part is peaceful, canopied and has a wild woods feel to it. It is easy and downhill, but there are a couple spots where the trail tends to erode, and there is a lot of poison oak nearby, which occasionally encroaches onto the path. This time of year, a burst of red leaves usually warns you. It took about 45 minutes to get from Chaney Trail to the Millard Campground area, our first rest stop. There is an outhouse at the campgrounds and a Ranger, who will remind you to put a leash on any well behaved dogs he sees and also remind certain folks that parked cars require so-called Adventure Passes. Some of us refuse to buy these on political grounds and some leave Golden Eagle Passports in their cars. No passes are available for purchase at the campground which means lots of decent folks drive all the way back to the city to buy a pass at some commercial outfit wasting more gas and precious vacation time. Not everyone was reminded about the pass, and we wondered how that choice was being made. We spent another hour hiking the round trip to the falls and back to the parking lot, including a nice 20 minute picnic break at the falls. From the camp, the falls trail is only a half mile, one way, but requires careful footing. Paths are evident and mostly easy, but this is essentially a boulder-strewn canyon bottom. Crossing the creek several times, our boots got a little damp or muddy, but it is pretty shallow right now, and a hiking stick will help you keep your balance. Along the falls trail, we were treated to crickets chirping, birdsong and dappled sun through the tree canopy. The falls are cool and the sight and sound of a waterstream is refreshing. Several other groups were also enjoying the spot, including lots of small children who had fun splashing in the pools with the dogs. We returned to the campground and chose to hike back to Altadena via the canyon trail, rather than reversing our route back over the Mt Lowe Rd and Sunset Ridge. This hike can also be started from Loma Alta Drive by accessing the Sunset Ridge Trail at the very west end. hikes at Altadena Trails .org