Mandeville Canyon Loop

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/b/0/0/event_65087872.jpegMandeville Canyon in Brentwood started out in the 1920s as a research botanical garden for UCLA. It now provides a tranquil country-like setting amongst multi-million dollar estates and a major gateway into the Santa Monica Mountains.

This moderate 5-mile loop with 770 feet of elevation gain is an excellent way to to explore the canyon and its ridges. Along the way we will experience:

Mandeville Canyon - a north-south notch in the Santa Monica Mountains

Westridge - we will climb a DWP service road out of the canyon to Westridge enjoying views of Canyonback Ridge and the San Gabriels to the east and the ocean behind us

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/f/8/f/event_1263983.jpegSan Vicente Mountain - site of the old Nike Missile base where we will enjoy our snack atop an observation tower

Canyonback Ridge - here there is both a gradual fire road and a more adventurous single-track heading down the ridge. Guess which path we will take http://img1.meetupstatic.com/614102232183174521616/img/smileys/wink.gif

Hollyhock Trail - There are nice views up and down the lush canyon as we descend 500 feet over 3/4 miles. A small sycamore grove at the bottom of this trail segues into the houses along Mandeville Canyon Road

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/b/f/0/event_65088112.jpeg

To get to the trailhead:

From Sunset Boulevard, 2.3 miles west of the 405 freeway, head north on Mandeville Canyon Road. Drive 4.8 miles, and turn left onto Garden Lane Road. Park on the right.

Trivia: Mandeville Canyon Rd is reputed to be the longest paved dead-end road in Los Angeles