I checked out the middle section of Eaton Canyon the last time, so today I returned to traverse the upper section. I started at Eaton Saddle, and walked the fire road, looking for a drop-in point. Initially, the drop into the head of Eaton Canyon is very steep. At the tunnel you can see the old trail: there's a sketchy-looking cut in the rock, and metal posts that presumably carried cables at some point. It's a looong way down, so I guess the tunnel was built as a less harrowing alternative. Not coincidentally, this isn't a good drop-in point.
![Image](https://gal.secretsauce.net/travels/SanGabriels/UpperEatonCanyon/DSCF4340.jpg?variant=medium2)
Things look a bit more reasonable past the tunnel, and I dropped-in shortly after. As expected, this is very steep initially, but flattens out as all the little channels consolidate into the main stem of Eaton Canyon. It's pretty nice down there. I found very little human-detritus, aside from two road signs that fell from above and 11 (!) birthday balloons. Eventually the canyon gets some water.
![Image](https://gal.secretsauce.net/travels/SanGabriels/UpperEatonCanyon/DSCF4351.jpg?variant=medium2)
Here there were some deer, countless water striders and countless ladybugs
![Image](https://gal.secretsauce.net/travels/SanGabriels/UpperEatonCanyon/DSCF4376.jpg?variant=medium2)
The travel is relatively easy. There's only one waterfall, and there's an obvious bypass on the descender's left. Eventually I reached the Idlehour trail, which was my exit via Mt. Lowe. Lots of lizards on the ascent, and I disturbed this guy, who was coiled up into a neat pancake when I came up on him.
![Image](https://gal.secretsauce.net/travels/SanGabriels/UpperEatonCanyon/DSCF4387.jpg?variant=medium2)
The canyon is nice! It was also hot out there. I saw one other hiker at Inspiration Point, and a handful of people at the tunnel.