Mathematics Department Hike
date: Sunday, November 13, 2005
location: Santa Ynez canyon, Topanga State Park
meeting place: Vereda de la Montura, off Palisade Drive
meeting time: 9:00 AM (15-20 minute drive from West L.A.)
full window high res image Brief desciption:
There are essentially three options:
The maps above give you the detail of the topography. There is plenty of shade in the canyon, but once you get up to the hillside you are pretty exposed. Poisson oak is relatively abundant in the lower part of the canyon, but it is so clearly marked -- its leaves got a nice red tint -- that you will have no problem avoiding it. You may want to try bushwhacking through the hill sides -- it has been tried with moderate success -- or climb above the waterfall and follow the creek for a bit further. The Waterfall hike is definitelly accessible to families with small children, except perhaps for the last 40 ft where the trail gets somewhat rocky (and thus slippery).
- Waterfall hike (3 miles there and back): through the canyon ending at a waterfall and back.
- Eagle Rock (6 miles there and back): Santa Ynez trail to Trippet Ranch, then along the fire road to Eagle Junction. Spectacular lunch site.
- Loop around Santa Ynez canyon (9 miles): Up to Trippet Ranch, Hub Junction via Eagle Junction, down along Temescal Ridge and Trailer Canyon.
Directions:
From West L.A. take Sunset Blvd and turn to Palisade Drive (north). Drive up the hill for about 2 miles until the road starts to make a distinct turn to the right (see map above). Turn left on Vereda de la Montura and drive for about 200 yards. (You can't get much further, the road ends at a gate to an upscale housing area.) Park on the right side of the road (watch to stay away from the red part of the curb).
