School traffic and traffic on Topanga Canyon Blvd can make the drive longer than you expect, so please allow enough travel time!
Topanga State Park is 36 square miles of natural wonder ensconced within Los Angeles’ city limits. Starting at Trippet Ranch, we’ll ramble through a shady oak grove favored by mule deer and into stretches of grassland.
Beyond the ranch, the trail begins to rise along the ridgeline between Topanga and Santa Ynez Canyons. Giant slabs of sandstone mark the route to their former home beneath the Pacific Ocean.
When the rising is done, we’ll rest on Parker Mesa Overlook, with the entire LA Basin stretched below us, the majestic San Gabriel Mountains to our north, Catalina Island to the south, and the sweeping crescent of the Santa Monica coastline to the east.
This is about a 6.7 mile out and back hike, with 1200’ feet of elevation gain. We will add an optional extension midway up of roughly 0.7 mile to make it (sort of) an even 8 miles.
Directions:
From the 101, exit at Topanga Canyon Boulevard (CA 27), drive south over the crest of the mountains and proceed three miles to Entrada Road (not Entrado!) and turn left. Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park’s main parking lot (about one mile)
From the Pacific Coast Highway, travel north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard, pass the post office at the center of “town,” then turn right on Entrada Road. Keep to the left at every opportunity until you reach the park’s main parking lot (about one mile).
Parking is $10.00/$9.00 for seniors (exact change, although I think they take cc) in Park. There is some street parking (free) outside of the park on the road.
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.
Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.
If you choose to sign up for this or any Weekday Trailblazers Meetup event, you are releasing the Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group, its organizers, and sponsors from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. You agree that you can navigate back to your transportation by yourself, and agree to do so if you fall behind and lose track of the main body of hikers.
By now you should know the guidelines to participate in our morning hikes. Please review them before you sign up for the hike. And just in case, here are some highlights and a link to the guidelines:
https://www.meetup.com/The-Weekday-Trailblazers/about/
Restrictions apply for your safety and ours:
- Don’t show up unless you’re on the “Attending” list
- Unregistered or waitlisted will be turned away
- No “Plus Ones” on this hike
- Plan on completing the entire hike or please find an alternative hike that better suits your hiking level.
- No dogs on this hike
- Bring ample hydration
- All participants must be 18 or older, or accompanied by an adult
