Another HWD Original!
My Bell Canyon Loop starts and ends at the mouth of Bell Canyon. Its a little-known loop and I haven’t seen any other meetup group do it — so you are in luck today! I’ve redesigned the hike so if you have done this with me in the past you can look forward to something a little different this time
Hike into History
A Visit to the Rancho El Escorpion Lime Kiln
Bell Canyon is the location of the Rancho El Escorpion lime kiln site. The site sits on a seam of limestone running from Bell Canyon to Dayton Canyon and the Woolsey Canyon area (the sites of 2 more kilns). The kiln was constructed over a time period starting between the late 18th and early 19th centuries by a succession of native Chumash people and others of mixed Chumash and Mexican heritage.
The kiln was used to process quicklime (used on the San Fernando Mission buildings) throughout the nineteenth century. Over the years the kiln has become almost entirely covered with dirt, its mouth filled in, and is difficult to see (without me showing it to you).
Viewing the Bell Canyon Limestone Quarry
In 1939 to 1941, the limestone hilltop at the mouth of Bell Canyon was used to face the Sepulveda Dam Basin.
DIRECTIONS:
Head toward the address given above but instead of turning on Woodglade Ln, just park on Highlander Rd. We meet near the corner of Highlander Rd and Woodglade Ln. by the ball field
