101 Hikes in Southern California. Jerry Schad

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      City views from Temescal Ridge

      Description: This hike traverses the Temescal loop clockwise, climbing the scrubby west wall of Temescal Canyon on the way up and then making a nice, easy descent down through the canyon. To do this, head north up the road past several buildings that comprise the former Presbyterian conference grounds. Stay left onto a dirt path and climb to a signed junction where you can pick up the Tem-escal Ridge Trail on the left. The narrow trail immediately starts a vigorous ascent up the scrubby canyon slope to the west. After several twists and turns, the trail gains a moderately ascending crest and sticks to it. Pause often so you can turn around and look at the ever-widening view of the coastline curving from Santa Monica Bay to Malibu.

      Ahead, two short trails (the Leacock and Bienveneda Trails) strike off to the left toward the end of Bienveneda Avenue. Ignore those paths and continue a junction (1.3 miles from the start) with the Temescal Canyon Trail on the right. At this juncture you have the option of making a side trip north 0.4 mile to a wind-carved, sandstone outcrop known as Skull Rock. To stay on the loop route, turn right and follow the Temescal Canyon Trail into the shady bottom of Temescal Canyon.

      At the bottom you cross Temescal Canyon’s creek on a footbridge. Above and below that bridge are small, trickling waterfalls and shallow, limpid pools. You can poke around the creek a bit for a look at its typical denizens—water striders and newts. When you’ve finished sightseeing, continue down the canyon trail back to the conference buildings, a mile away. That final stretch follows the canyon bottom and then contours along a slope behind the buildings. Lots of live oak, sycamore, willow, and bay trees, their woodsy scents commingling on the ocean breeze, highlight your return.

      HIKE 11

      Will Rogers Park

      Location: Santa Monica Mountains (Pacific Palisades)

      Highlights: City, ocean, and mountain views in a single stance

      Distance: 2.0 miles (loop)

      Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 350'/350'

      Hiking Time: 1 hour

      Optional Maps: Trails Illustrated Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area or USGS 7.5-minute Topanga

      Best Times: All year

      Agency: WRSHP

      Difficulty: Easy

      Trail Use: Suitable for mountain biking, dogs allowed, good for kids

      Drive up a short mile from the speedway known as Sunset Boulevard toward Will Rogers State Historic Park, and you’ll instantly leave the rat race behind. Especially on weekdays or early on weekend mornings, this quiet spot is perfect for getting some exercise and taking advantage of multimillion-dollar views of Santa Monica, West L.A., and downtown L.A.

      Newspaperman, radio commentator, movie star, and pop-philosopher Will Rogers purchased this 182-acre property in 1922 and lived with his family here from 1928 until his death in 1935. Historic only by Southern California standards, his 31-room mansion is nevertheless interesting to tour. Your main goal, however, is to reach Inspiration Point, a flat-topped bump on a ridge overlooking the entire spread.

      To Reach the Trailhead: Drive 1.5 miles east on Sunset Boulevard from the commercial district of Pacific Palisades (Sunset Boulevard and Temescal Canyon Road) to reach the Will Rogers Park entrance road. Or take Sunset Boulevard 4 miles west from I-405 to reach the same entrance. The park is open daily, except certain holidays, 8 a.m.–sunset and charges a parking fee.

      Santa Monica Bay

      Description: You may want to obtain a copy of the detailed hikers’ map, available at the gift shop in a wing of the home. Printed on the map is one of Will’s memorable (if not apropos) aphorisms, “If your time is worth anything, travel by air. If not, you might just as well walk.” To reach Inspiration Point, follow the main, wide, riding and hiking trail that makes a 2-mile loop, starting at the north end of the big lawn adjoining the Rogers home. Or use any of several shorter, more direct paths (mountain bikes and leashed pets are only allowed on the main, looping trail).

      Relaxing on the benches at the top on a clear day, you can admire true-as-advertised, inspiring vistas stretching east to the front range of the San Gabriel Mountains and southeast to the Santa Ana Mountains. South past the swelling Palos Verdes Peninsula you can sometimes spot Santa Catalina Island, rising in ethereal majesty from the shining surface of the sea.

      Will Rogers Park serves as the east terminus of the Backbone Trail, which skims some 65 miles along the crest of the Santa Monica Mountains. Its west end lies in Point Mugu State Park (described in Hike 3).

      HIKE 12

      Malaga Cove to Bluff Cove

      Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula

      Highlights: Boulder-hopping beneath sea cliffs and past small tidepools

      Distance: 2.0 miles (loop)

      Total Elevation Gain/Loss: 200'/200'

      Hiking Time: 2 hours

      Optional Map: USGS 7.5-minute Redondo Beach

      Best Times: All year

      Agency: PVESP

      Difficulty: Moderate

      Trail Use: Good for kids

      When the tide is not too high, curious hikers can thread their way along a narrow strip of rocks between the ocean and the sea cliffs at the northern end of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Watch for sea life in small tidepools СКАЧАТЬ