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 Reporter |
Summary: This fun-filled little adventure is sure to make for a great time with family and friends. Along the way there are half a dozen stream crossings, pastoral grasslands, a lush variety of plant types including creeping snowberry, scarlet monkey flower, stinging nettle and four varieties of giant oaks with sycamore and willow trees. A short walk from your car brings you to a sign that says East Canyon and Rice Canyon. To the right is a hiker's trail that goes through a meadow and into Rice Canyon and then ascends for a short distance to the turnaround point in a grassy field above the canyon. Retracing your steps back to the junction you have the option of hiking up East Canyon. East Canyon starts out pleasantly along a wooded canyon then begins ascending quickly for about two miles offering up expansive views of the city and goes through a bigcone Douglas-fir forest then ends at a gate with private property beyond, the mandatory turnaround point. Trailhead: From the 405 freeway north merge onto Interstate 5 and then exit at Calgrove Boulevard. Turn left under the freeway and go south 0.8 mile on The Old Road. The trailhead is on the right next to a horse ranch just before The Old Road goes under Interstate 5. The trail starts at a sign and gate just off the parking lot. (Lat:34.34595 Lon:-118.54335) Trail Guides for Rice CanyonEast Canyon: Afoot and Afield in Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses, Ranger Contact: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (805) 370-2301 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Eric Altizer, who has posted 13 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by ABL on 3/11/2012 Hiked this today. Hiked 2.6 miles up the East Canyon Trail from our car to the yellow pipe marked "Weldon" then back down, for a total of 5.2 miles. I don't think that was the end of the East Canyon trail though as we didn't hit a gate marking private property. Elevation gain of 1153 feet. Encountered one 2' long brown snake laying across the trail (not a rattlesnake) midway up. Encountered several other hikers and a few mountain bikers. No horses, but evidence of them and many other animals along the trail. Sounds of the shooting range and highway could no longer be heard after about maybe 1.8 miles up. Lots of flies/bugs near the bottom where it is flatter near the creek crossings.
Reviewed by MPM on 6/27/2011 I hiked the East Canyon trail up to Weldon Canyon trail/fire road. The beginning of the trail is kind of junky looking with pieces of culvert strewn about, presumably for work on stream crossings. But it gets much better after the two trails split and you begin to gain elevation. The trail has suffered severe erosion in some places, but is still passable. The views are well worth the it. Up at the junction with Weldon Canyon I saw a California Condor. I believe this trail gets more horse traffic that others in the area as the tail head is next to a horse ranch. Encountered no snakes or ticks, but was bothered by flies in the middle half of the trail. 
Reviewed by L.G. on 5/24/2011 Beautiful Scenery-Watch for ticks and rattle snakes. $5 to park. This could be an amazing trail but it is not well maintained. We almost stepped on a rattler that was hiding in the grass in the middle of the trail. Also I pulled a dozen ticks off my dog. We did enjoy the quail, the squirrels, the tadpoles. 
Reviewed by David L. on 9/19/2010 Nice hike close to the Valley, good workout, good scenic variety. The freeway noise (and the gun range) I can do without, but at least once you get into Rice Canyon it's nice and quiet, and the views from East Canyon are great. Check out some of my pictures here.
Reviewed by EN on 7/23/2009 when you at the junction of East canyon fire road and Weldon canyon fire road turn left (East) and hike to the birds observation deck, it about 2.5 miles round trip, very little elevation change, take your time at the observation deck and enjoy the moment.
Reviewed by RB on 4/17/2008 it is beautiful, but there are ticks everywhere!!! 
Reviewed by A.H. on 2/25/2008 Ahhh... Nothing beats the sound of wind through pine trees (fir trees in this case.) No, this ain't the Sierras, but if you're locked into an existence in the suburban pandemonium of the Valley, nothing beats this hike for accessibility and novelty. You can hike from the hum of traffic on the 5 at the bottom to the whispering breeze in the Douglas Firs at the top. Plenty of evidence of animals: deer tracks, coyote scat, cruising raptors. To top it all of, you also get a decent workout. Do this in the winter when everything is green and you can see snow on the mountaintops.
Reviewed by Sitka AK on 1/20/2008 Hiked Rice Canyon and some of the East Canyon today. Streams cross well maintained trails and made it interesting for the dog. Lots of shade and mild breeze made for a wonderful hike. Had lunch under the big oak tree near the top of Rice Canyon with the wife. Payed the $3.00 fee for parking, at $3.00, it's a great deal. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
