Temescal Canyon Loop & Skull Rock
Details
Hike begins 9am
Temescal Gateway Park is a very popular hiking spot with great views of the ocean and LA basin on clear days, a seasonal waterfall, and a densely wooded canyon. Typically this hike is about 5 miles with a (strenuous) net elevation gain of about 1,100 ft. We will have the opportunity to increase its length by exploring some of the side trails. See Files section (https://files.meetup.com/454296/temescal.pdf) for more details and trail map.
The Reverend Dr. Charles Holmes Scott developed what is now Temescal Gateway Park for the Methodist Church in 1922 as a West Coast center for the Chautauqua movement. Originated in 1874 on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in Southwestern New York State, Chautauqua assemblies were aimed at challenging the minds and spirits of its participants by offering families seasonal programs of lectures, music, elocution, and open discussion of public issues, literature, and science. Some of the canyon's earliest structures are still in use. Built in 1922, the building known as the Temescal Camp Store was two buildings-- a grocery store complete with a butcher shop, and the local post office. The Presbyterian Synod purchased the property in 1943 and used it as a private retreat center until the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy purchased the property in 1994
Directions
Temescal Gateway Park is located in Pacific Palisades, just one mile north of Pacific Coast Highway at the intersection of Temescal Canyon Road and Sunset Boulevard.
From Los Angeles, take the Santa Monica Freeway (10) West until it becomes Pacific Coast Highway(PCH). Continue West on PCH. Turn right (North) on Temescal Canyon Road and continue for 1 mile. You enter the park immediately after crossing Sunset Boulevard.
From the San Fernando Valley, take Topanga Canyon Boulevard South to Pacific Coast highway(PCH). Turn left (East) on PCH. Go Left (North) on Temescal Canyon Road and continue for 1 mile.
Park in second lot closest to the Camp Store (see map in Files section). We will meet on the lawn next to Camp Store. Bring at least $5.00 exact change for parking. There is some free curb parking on the other side of Sunset on Temescal.