One hundred years ago, water that had traveled from Central California began cascading into the thirsty San Fernando Valley. Today, this unexpected walk is one of the few L.A. hikes that features a close-up view of the great Los Angeles Aqueduct, near those historic cascades.
1. From the corner of Foothill and Balboa boulevards in Sylmar, walk uphill following the white rail fence that parallels the north side of the road.
2. Walk past the entrance to Legends at Cascades, and Nicklaus Drive, until you reach a narrow paved road stopped by a wide steel gate. Turn left and walk around the gate.
3. Walk uphill, cross a paved road, then descend on a narrow concrete walkway to a T intersection. Turn left.
4. The concrete trail loops around a grassy field dotted with pines. Follow this until, after a gradual downhill, the trail begins to bend right. Just there, turn left across a dozen feet of grass, cross to a concrete cul-de-sac and continue on another concrete trail. Turn left again after 20 feet and begin walking uphill.
