Parker Mesa Loop: The Ridge Route

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/d/e/a/event_59144522.jpegAre you ready for the ultimate hike to Parker Mesa Overlook?

Perched high above the Palisades and Malibu, the vista from the Parker Mesa Overlook is stunning. You can see all of the LA basin laid out before you, the San Gabriel Mountains to the north, Catalina Island to the south, and the crescent shaped coastline of Santa Monica to the east.

Our ridge route starts near the Los Liones Canyon trailhead and makes a bee-line straight up a ridge to the Overlook with a 1400 ft gain in a mere 1.5 miles. Some parts are steep. You've been warned!

At the top thre are a couple of benches where we can enjoy one of the most spectaclular views of the Los Angeles coastline and a snack.

We will return via E Topanga Fireroad, hilly side trails, and Los Liones Canyon.

Its only a 5-mile loop, but packs a wallop with about 2100 feet of total ascent, and will bring you home much earlier than an equivalently challenging 10-mile hike.

I haven't done the ridge segment before but Stein from LA group does it and we will be following in his footsteps, literally.

Directions

From Santa Monica or Malibu: Take the Pacific Coast Highway and turn on Sunset Boulevard. Go 0.3 miles on Sunset, take a left on Los Liones and drive half a mile to the end of the street. Park on the right side of the street in the lot across from the church.

There is plenty of free street parking, as well as two spillover lots near picnic areas and restrooms.