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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a very popular hiking spot with great views of the ocean on clear days, a seasonal waterfall, and a densely wooded canyon. The loop starts out on Temescal Ridge Trail, climbing almost 1,000 feet in the first mile. At the intersection with Temescal Canyon Trail, you can either take a half mile side trip to Skull Rock (staying on the ridge trail) or head down into the deep Temescal Canyon. At the bottom of the canyon, you will cross a bridge with a lovely waterfall. If you are careful, you can do some rock scrambling upstream to see some additional small waterfalls. After crossing the bridge, the trail drops through the canyon at a mild pace, through a pleasantly dense wooded area. If you skipped the ridge trail, and just walked up the canyon and back, this would be a great easy 2 mile family hike. Note that my rating of this hike was a bit low compared to other guide books. Trailhead: From Santa Monica, drive north on Pacific Coast Highway (1) for 2.6 mile to Temescal Canyon Road and turn right. Drive to the end of Temescal Canyon Road and park at the entrance to the Presbyterian Conference Center. The trial head is at the far end of the parking lot on the left. (Lat:34.05312 Lon:-118.5286) Trail Guides for Temescal Canyon Loop: Day Hikes Around Los Angeles by Robert Stone (Day Hike Books, Inc.) Afoot & Afield In Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) California Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Ann Marie Brown (Foghorn Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers Ranger Contact: Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (310) 589-3200 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 2 of 13 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by RN on 4/2/2009 Temescal is a great hike and workout! Especially if you start the loop at the trail on the left. This enables you to have a full on incline workout - awesome! Also, you can actually sit inside the eyesocket of Skull Rock - we've gotten up to 4 folks inside it. It's fun to watch people on the trail look up and wonder how the heck you got up there! Great place to hang after your incline work and chill for a bit until you're ready to head down the loop to the bridge and "waterfall." 
Reviewed by DennisYenn on 3/24/2009 (continued) Otherwise, we usually take a short drive afterwards down Temescal Dr. to the beach at the very bottom before the sun sets. If you live in the Westside, Temescal Canyon Loop is a local fan favorite I keep hearing. But personally, my own favorite is still Griffith Park (GP). GP contains a vast network of endless trails and at Dante’s Peak, views of the entire L.A. basin and the Valley. But if you like packed crowds to really get you in the exercise mood, try Runyan Canyon (RC). Also, at RC, the demographics are kinda skewed: many gay men, and single women w/ dogs. I guess RC would be the mecca of single guys looking.
Reviewed by DennisYenn on 3/24/2009 OK. We usually park (plenty) along Sunset Blvd (free) and walk in, otherwise there's a cost to park inside. There’s a small gift store and restroom facilities at the head. Starting your hike, you’ll pass a camp site for school programs. As far as the trails, there are many, but 3 main ones. They all go up, up, up. The climb can be challenging, but the view is nice at the top (good to picnic). There's a waterfall over a bridge half way up. I swam one time, but water was very cold. Yeah, no dogs are allowed. Nearby on Sunset is a Bristal Farms, small stores, and fast food places. If on July 4th, stay for fireworks at the high school just southwest corner of Temescal & Sunset. Otherwise, we usually take a short drive afterwar
Reviewed by j.h. on 3/21/2009 great hike, although i'd rate it as moderately challenging! would use the term "waterfall" loosely, but the sound of the water does add to the ambiance. loved the tree covered alcoves! kept a pretty good pace and finished the hike in about hour and a half. diverse group of courteous and friendly hikers out this morning. trails are well maintained and not overly crowded. 
Reviewed by AW on 3/8/2009 Easy hike my ass. Who ARE you people?! Unless you're in amazing shape this is, at the very least, very challenging. While the views at the top are amazing, the "waterfall" is a joke. Recommended, but with a giant asterisk.
Reviewed by Shaddy S. on 2/7/2009 Just did this hike after the rain this morning for the first time an I have to say this hike is full of variety and beauty. It's definitely a 5 star hike with it's babbling creek, beautiful tree covered alcoves, an excellent and scenic summit, a brisk difficulty that's perfect moderate workout. A variety of flora from palm plants to beautifully overgrown ivy. Do the Temescal Loop. And I don't have a dog but it's silly that dogs are suddenly not allowed halfway up the trail... that's the only down side.
Reviewed by Tikiri on 2/5/2009 Went yesterday (Wed) morning and took the loop clockwise starting w/ ridge route. First mile was mostly uphill (note 1000 ft elevation gain) with nice vistas of LA basin to coastline towards Malibu. Waterfall was down to a trickle, surprisingly some nice shaded areas, especially down the canyon, but also canopies of scrub oak on upper trails. Skull rock was a nice half-mile side trip with a great panorama view (saw deer on trail). Take plenty of water & snacks.
Reviewed by Morteza on 11/17/2008 The park and the hike are great. We come to this park every week since 1990. I wish people would obey the No Dog zones in the hike areas. Also, I wish runners would slow down when they are passing you, coming from behind and or front (dust and safety issues). 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||