Monrovia Canyon / Ben Overturff Trail to Deer Park

Location: Monrovia Canyon Park / Ben Overturff Trail to Deer Park

Difficulty: 5

Distance: 7 Miles Roundtrip

Gain: Approx. 1100 ft.

Time: 4 Hours

Pace: Moderate / Group Based

Our hike starts at 8:00 a.m. and will take us to Deer Park in the beautiful Monrovia Canyon Park. Deer Park is located n the Sawpit Canyon which drains the southern slope of Monrovia Peak. Our hike actually starts at the corner of N. Canyon Blvd and Ridgeline Dr. just outside Monrovia Canyon Park. We will follow the road into the park and up the service road past the now de commissioned Sawpit Canyon dam to the Ben Overturff Trailhead. The trail will take us back into Sawpit Canyon to the base of Monrovia Peak to an Oak shaded flat known as Deer Park. Deer Park was discovered by Monrovia contractor Ben Overturff about 1905. Here he built a stone cabin which for years was a popular trail resort from 1911 to the 1938 flood. During its heyday one could have a weekend in the cabin and a slice of Bertha Overturff’s Lemon Meringue pie for all of 50 cents!!!!! After Bens failing health and the start of WW2 Sawpit Canyon and the Ben Overturff Trail were closed for nearly fifty years to protect the water source of Monrovia. Many parts of the original water pipes and valves can still be seen on our hike. Around 1996 thanks to Monrovia Community Services Dept. The Conservation Corps and several volunteer trail builders, the trail was re cleared and rebuilt.

Directions: Exit the 210 Freeway at Myrtle Ave, proceed north to Hillcrest Ave. ( approx 3 miles ) Turn Right on Hillcrest and proceed approx. ½ mile to Canyon Blvd. and turn Left Canyon Blvd. and proceed North to the intersection of Canyon and Ridgeline. Here is where well will meet up. PLEASE be mindful that this IS a residential area and not to block driveways. We meet here as it costs $5.00 per car to park in the park, and parking spaces are a premium in the morning. A minimum of 1 liter of water and snacks are recommended.