Photos: Eaton Canyon Falls

Cholo Inciong, 24, of Los Angeles, revels in the water at the base of Eaton Canyon Falls. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

July 2, 2014 9:42 PM PT

The U.S. Forest Service will be closing Eaton Canyon above the first waterfall on Aug. 1. The move follows the deaths of five hikers in a four-year span on a steep, narrow path over crumbling granite cliffs to a second waterfall. The trail to the lower of the two falls will remain open.

Chris Rivera, 7, Genaro Rivera, 7, and Annette Rivera, 10, all of Long Beach, gather on the rocks overlooking Eaton Canyon Falls. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Michael McIntyre and Nathan Judy, both of the U.S. Forest Service, hold up one of the new warning signs that will be going up in the Eaton Canyon Falls area. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Bianca Sanchez, 22, of Pasadena ventures into Eaton Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest. Officials are closing the canyon beyond the first fall. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Brothers Noah, 2, and Luis Salas, 6, of El Monte play in the water of Eaton Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Ana Salas of El Monte lifts her son Noah, 2, into the air as they play at the base of Eaton Canyon Falls. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Leo Chu, 21, of Monrovia, has been coming to the falls since he was a child. He said it is a place he continues to cherish. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Krystal Garza, 8, of Pasadena dips her head into the water at Eaton Canyon Falls in the Angeles National Forest. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)