Hiking Distance: 8.6 Miles Round Trip Hiking Time: 4 Hours Configuration: Out-And-Back Elevation Gain: 1,200 Feet Difficulty: Moderate To Strenuous Exposure: Shaded Canyon Dogs: Allowed
Maps: U.S.G.S. Topanga Topanga State Park Map Tom Harrison Maps: Topanga State Park Trail Map
Sullivan Canyon Is A Secluded Steam-Fed Canyon With Huge Stands Of Sycamore, Oak, Willow, And Walnut Trees. The Trail Follows The Intermittent Stream Through The Steep-Walled Canyon Beneath A Rich Canopy Of Green Foliage. After Meandering Up The Long, Pristine Canyon, The Trail Climbs The Chaparral-Covered Slopes To Sullivan Ridge And Magnificent Canyon Views. This Hike Can Be Combined With Hike 72 For A 10-Mile Loop.
Sullivan Canyon Brentwood Map Photo Gallery
To The Trailhead
From Santa Monica, Drive 1.6 Miles Northbound On The Pacific Coast Highway/Highway 1 To Chautauqua Boulevard And Turn Right. Continue 0.9 Miles To Sunset Boulevard And Turn Right. Drive 2.8 Miles And Turn Left On Mandeville Canyon Road. Turn Left Again At The First Street Westridge Road And Drive 1.2 Miles To Bayliss Road. Turn Left On Bayliss Road, And Go 0.3 Miles To Queensferry Road. Turn Left And Park Near The Trailhead Gate.
The Hike
Step Around The Vehicle-Restricting Gate. Walk 0.2 Miles Down The Paved Service Road To The Floor Of Sullivan Canyon. Head To The Right Up The Serene, Sylvan Canyon Floor Under A Lush Forest Canopy. At One Mile, Cross A Seasonal Stream And Pass Sandstone Outcroppings Amidst High And Narrow Canyon Walls. At 3.5 Miles, Sullivan Canyon Curves Right (Northeast) While The Trail Curves Left (Northwest) Up A Narrow Side Canyon. Climb The West Canyon Wall Overlooking Sullivan Canyon. Follow The Contours Of The Mountain Up To The Ridge And A T-Junction With The Sullivan Ridge Fire Road At 4.3 Miles. This Is The Turn-Around Spot. Return Back Down Sullivan Canyon Along The Same Route.
Brentwood
Hiking Distance: 10-Mile Loop Hiking Time: 5 Hours Configuration: Loop Elevation Gain: 1,300 Feet Difficulty: Strenuous
Exposure: Shaded Canyon And Exposed Ridge Dogs: Allowed
Maps: U.S.G.S. Topanga And Conoga Park Topanga State Park Map Tom Harrison Maps: Topanga State Park Trail Map
This Canyon-To-Ridge Loop Hike Follows The Forested Canyon Floor Of Sullivan Canyon, Climbs The Chaparral-Covered Slopes To Sullivan Ridge, Then Returns Back On The Ridge Along The Westridge Fire Road. En Route, The Trail Follows Dirt Mulholland Drive A Short Distance, An Unimproved Road Along The Ridge Overlooking The West End Of Los Angeles, The San Fernando Valley, And The Encino Reservoir. (Dirt Mulholland Is The Unpaved Portion Of Mulholland Drive.) At The Top End Of The Loop Is San Vicente Mountain Park, Formerly A Nike Missile Control Site. The Old Military Outpost Was Active From 1956 Through 1968. The 10-Acre Park Includes A Self-Guided Interpretive Center With Descriptions Of Its Former Life (See Hike 70). From The Park, The Trail Descends On The Westridge Fire Road, A Hiking And Biking Route Straddling The Ridgeline Between Sullivan Canyon And Mandeville Canyon.
To The Trailhead
From Santa Monica, Drive 1.6 Miles Northbound On The Pacific Coast Highway/Highway 1 To Chautauqua Boulevard And Turn Right. Continue 0.9 Miles To Sunset Boulevard And Turn Right. Drive 2.8 Miles And Turn Left On Mandeville Canyon Road. Turn Left Again At The First Street Westridge Road And Drive 1.2 Miles To Bayliss Road. Turn Left On Bayliss Road, And Go 0.3 Miles To Queensferry Road. Turn Left And Park Near The Trailhead Gate.
The Hike
Step Around The Vehicle-Restricting Gate. Walk 0.2 Miles Down The Paved Service Road To The Floor Of Sullivan Canyon. Head To The Right Up The Serene, Sylvan Canyon Floor Under A Lush Forest Canopy. At One Mile, Cross A Seasonal Stream And Pass Sandstone Outcroppings Amidst High And Narrow Canyon Walls. At 3.5 Miles, Sullivan Canyon Curves Right (Northeast) While The Trail Curves Left (Northwest) Up A Narrow Side Canyon. Climb The West Canyon Wall Overlooking Sullivan Canyon. Follow The Contours Of The Mountain Up To The Ridge And A T-Junction With The Sullivan Ridge Fire Road, The Turn-Around Point For Hike 71.
Bear Right And Head North On The Ridge Between Rustic Canyon And Sullivan Canyon, Reaching Dirt Mulholland At A Half Mile. Walk Around The Gate And Follow Dirt Mulholland To The Right For 0.8 Miles, Overlooking The Encino Reservoir And The San Fernando Valley. Pass Another Gate And Bear Right Into San Vicente Mountain Park, The Defunct Missile Silo Site. Walk Up The Paved Road And Through The Park, Passing Picnic Areas And Vista Overlooks. Take The Westridge Fire Road (Also Known As Sullivan Ridge East) Along The Narrow Ridge That Divides Sullivan And Mandeville Canyons. Follow The Ridge South To The High Point Of The Hike At 1,986 Feet. Gradually Descend Along The Contours Of The Ridge, Overlooking Sullivan Canyon, Rustic Canyon, The West Ridge Of Temescal Canyon, And The Los Angeles Basin. The Fire Road Continues Along The Ridge Until Exiting At Westridge Road. Walk A Half Mile Down Westridge Road, And Turn Right On Bayliss Road. Walk Another Half Mile To Queensferry Road And Turn Right, Returning To The Trailhead.
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