Ben Overturff Trail, Monrovia Canyon Park

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Hike Organizer: Paul Kemp
Location: Monrovia Canyon Park
Hike Difficulty: Moderate 6/10
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
Time: 3 1/2 hours

Overview: Monrovia Canyon Park is an 80-acre wilderness park hosting great diversity inherent to this region, including riparian, oak woodland, and chaparrel ecosystems. The Ben Overturff Trail is named for a historical Monrovian who made these canyons and Deer Park a popular recreation area in the early 1900s. The reconstructed trail follows the original path as much as possible through Sawpit, Sycamore and Twin Springs canyons. It winds through approximately 3.5 miles of some of the most beautiful and undisturbed wilderness left in the San Gabriel mountains.

Hike Description: From the park entrance station, the first half of the hike will follow Sawpit Fire Road up to the Deer Park Trail Head, approx. 3.5 miles. The return half of the trail passes thru riparian and woodland habitats on it's way back down. After the main hike there is the option of an additional hike to Monrovia Canyon Waterfall, approx. 2 miles round trip.

Directions: From the 210 freeway in Monrovia exit Myrtle Av. Monrovia is near the 210 and 605 freeway interchange, east of Pasadena. Head north on Myrtle Av., turn right on Foothill Blvd., turn left on Canyon Blvd. Follow Canyon as it veers to the right at 0.7 miles, drive a short distance further to the intersection of Ridgeside Drive. There should be street parking in the vicinity of this intersection, which is before the park entrance. If you park here you will have to walk up to the park entrance station, approx. a half mile further up Canyon Blvd. Alternatively, you can pay $5 to park in the parking lot inside the park next to the entrance station.