After 5 deaths, access to second waterfall at Eaton Canyon set for closure

ALMKE, GERMANY - AUGUST 01: Scouts hiking through a woodland on August 1, 2010 in Almke near Wolfsburg, Germany. About 5000 young scouts from Germany, Russia, Belgium, Suisse, USA and Italy aged 12 to 20 participate in a camp. Since 1973, the German VCP-Christian Guides and Pathfinders organisation, offers an International historic boys and girls scout meeting during the summer holidays. On a 25 hectare field include 1370 tens, a tent church and a tent theater. The Federal camp is held every four years. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)

The US Forest Service is moving forward with a plan to shut-down access to that second waterfall by August 1.

Soft, crumbly earth, an unmarked trail, and a 75-foot sheer mountain are the risks hikers take on to get to the second waterfall at Eaton Canyon Natural Area. In the past four years, five people have died attempting the climb, and many others have been injured. Now, the US Forest Service is moving forward with a plan to shut-down access to that second waterfall by August 1. Those that are caught attempting the climb despite the closure could face six months in prison and a fine of $5,000. But questions remain about how such a closure would be enforced and carried out.

Have you hiked up to the second fall? Do you think it should be closed?

Guests:

John McKinney, “The Trailmaster” and author of multiple hiking books covering all of California

Dan Paige, Deputy Sheriff of the Altadena Mountain Search and Rescue Team, where he leads the all-volunteer search and rescue teams