Parker Mesa Overlook from Trippet Ranch (Topanga Cyn SP)

Saturday, April 23, 2016 - Parker Mesa overlook from Trippet Ranch (Topanga Canyon State Park)

Distance: ~6.8 Miles total (out and back)

Gain: ~ 800'

Hiking Time: ~3 hours

Rating: Easy +++/ Moderate - (due to periodic elevation gains and overall mileage)

Description:

This weekend we will enjoy some woodlands, hill walking and cool blue ocean views. Parker Mesa Overlook is one of the best vista points in the Santa Monica Mountains and has been one of our Summer favorites too.

It serves up panoramic views over Santa Monica Bay from a 1,525-foot oceanfront ridge in Topanga State Park. The overlook is located along East Topanga Fire Road, a north-south running ridge trail spanning between Trippet Ranch, the park’s main trailhead in the north, and Paseo Miramar in the Pacific Palisades to the south.

We will enjoy the view over Santa Monica Bay to the south. Palos Verdes Peninsula juts out from the far side of the C-shaped bay. Beyond that, on a clear day, you may spot Catalina Island on the horizon.

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Carpool from Santa Clarita Valley:

Meet at Towsley Canyon, outside the Towsley gate at 7:15 AM. We will organize carpools and leave at 7:30 AM SHARP, for the Trippet Ranch trailhead.

Please be respect­ful of your driver’s sup­port by con­tribut­ing some­thing at the end of your car­pool to help defray the cost of gas — THX.

Directions to Carpool meeting spot in Santa Clarita Valley: Exit the I-5 freeway in Santa Clarita Valley at Calgrove Blvd. Turn West and follow Calgrove around a curve and through one light on to The Old Road. You will now see the gate to Towsley Canyon on your right. Park and look for a group of hikers/ leader.

Directions to the trailhead at Topanga State Park from Towsley Canyon, Santa Clarita Valley, (32 miles, ~40 mins): Merge onto I-5 South. Keep right to continue on the I-405 S/​San Diego Fwy, following signs for Santa Monica. After 9.0 miles, take the exit to US101 N, towards Ventura , drive 8.2 miles on the 101 freeway, and exit at California 27 S/​Topanga Cyn Blvd. Merge on to Topanga Cyn Blvd and drive 7.8 miles south on Topanga Canyon Blvd until you see Entrada Road on the left - this road is twisty, so be on the look out for it! Turn East (left) into Entrada Road and drive up the mountainous neighborhood for 1 mile , following signs for Topanga State Park / Trippet Ranch, until you see cars parked on the left side of the road.

NOTE: There is a $10 Park Service day-use fee to park in the Trippet Ranch parking lot, which is open from 8:00AM to sunset. They have lots of spaces and immaculate modern bathrooms; so if you carpool and want to support their upkeep, go for it (I usually do) - IF SO, BRING $10 in CASH FOR THE SELF-SERVE (i.e. ENVELOPE) PAY SYSTEM!

Alternatively, a few hundred yards outside the park, there may be some free parking left along the road. Watch for No Parking signs and leave nothing showing in your car.

Meet the Hike Leader:

At Towsley Canyon to carpool (see details above) or at the Trippet Ranch Trailhead, by the parking lot bathrooms.

We plan to be at the trailhead by 8:15AM so the group can start up the trail at 8:30AM SHARP. Note: Only if you have already checked in at Towsley Canyon, and are delayed in traffic, can we plan to wait for you.

Bring: Plenty of water (2- 3L), electrolytes, a snack, and shoes with good tread. Poles are helpful.

Hike portion is ~ 3 hours, so we hope to be back to Towsley before 1:00PM.

Dogs: Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted on this trail by the park staff.

Adventure Pass: Not Required.

Leader: Steve I.

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