Hellman Park and Sycamore Canyon

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The Colossus at Magic Mountain will have nothing on us April 14 (note: no hike this Sat. 7th) as we head for Hellman Park. Its uphills are steep and a bit slow-going, but reveal great views before plunging down, into sharp switchbacks in and out of canyons. Whee!

Like the camping essential Dr. Bronners soap (http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/SFNT.htm) (ALL ONE!), this sweet little park tucked away in charming Whittier offers a lot of options in a compact package. This is the Eastern-most part of the land owned by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, we’ve done Schabarum and other trails north and east of this before.

We’ll hit at least five trails (http://www.habitatauthority.org/pdf/Sycamore_Hellman%20trails%20map%20color.pdf) in the system, starting with an immediate uphill on Peppergrass, then to Rattlesnake Ridge, down the fun Sycamore Switchback Trail, cross a stream to head east for a break on the flat Dark Canyon trail, shaded by California sycamores and coast live oaks. We’ll take a break at the end of that trail before backtracking up the switchbacks to Rattlesnake, then return to our start via Hellman Trail, with another series of switchbacks near the end because we just can’t get enough of them. Along the way, we’ll get great views of the:

● Downtown LA skyline and ocean to the West and South

● San Gabriels to the North

● The striking Hsi Lai Temple (http://www.hsilai.org/en/index.html) and rest of the park to the East.

For anyone short on time or stamina, there’s a foolproof, easy return to our starting point via the Mariposa Trail before we hit the switchbacks.

STATS

Level: Moderate Gain: 1,350 ft. Distance: 5.5miles Time: 3 hours

Type: Fire road and single track trail, partial loop. Mostly exposed.

Dogs: Permitted on leash.

Water: Not available at trailhead Restrooms: Not available at trailhead; porta potty is available at the entrance to Sycamore Canyon Park at 5040 Workman Mill Road (East side of the road, just past some condos/apts., but before the driveway for Rose Hills Cemetery), a half-mile north of Beverly just past Strong Ave.

Parking:Free lot + street parking on Rose, off Greenleaf

Bring: Water, sunscreen, a hat, and some snacks to share at our break. Poles could be helpful on the downhill.

Rain Saturday morning cancels; check this site before you leave if you’re unsure.

DIRECTIONS

The park is at 5700 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier.

From the 605 Freeway, take Rose Hills Road east to Workman Mill Road.Head South to Beverly and turn left/east on Beverly to Greenleaf, then turn left/north and drive about .2 mile to the park entrance on the right. If the lot is full, park on Rose, just north and west of the lot; there is no parking on Greenleaf.

Here’s a map (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=5700+Greenleaf+Avenue,+Whittier+CA&hl=en&ll=34.006352,-118.029385&spn=0.042976,0.104628&hnear=5700+Greenleaf+Ave,+Whittier,+California+90601&t=m&z=14).

Shawn’s mobile: 213/308-7372

The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.