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Hiking Club
Sunday, November 20, 2022, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
Category: Clubs

LACPA Hiking Club is pleased to announce our next hike - PARKER MESA OVERLOOK - from Trippet Ranch in Topanga State Park.

Where: The trailhead is located off the upper Topanga State Park parking lot, located off of Entrada Road in Topanga Canyon.  We will meet in this parking lot.  Please be sure to follow the directions below so you are in the correct parking lot.  (You will pass a parking lot shortly after you turn onto Entrada Road that says Topanga State Park.  This is NOT the parking lot we will be leaving from.)  There are restrooms in the parking lot.
Brief Description of the Hike: This hike begins in Topanga State Park at Trippet Ranch (the park headquarters), and heads south.  It follows the East Topanga Fire Road along the ridge dividing Topanga Canyon and Santa Ynez Canyon.  There are great views into both canyons.  We will hike to the Parker Mesa Overlook, a barren knoll that overlooks Topanga Beach, Santa Monica Bay, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica which can all be viewed on a clear day.  The trail is mostly wide and uncovered, so please bring a hat, sunscreen, water and a snack.  This is a longer but not a terribly strenuous hike.  The hike is 6 miles round trip, following the same route out and back. I prefer hiking boots, but tennis shoes with tread should be fine.  
Directions: From Santa Monica, drive 4 miles north on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH)/Highway 1, to Topanga Canyon Boulevard.  Turn right on Topanga Canyon and head north.  Continue for 4.6 miles to Entrada Road on the right, and turn right on Entrada Road.  Drive 0.7 miles and turn left, following the posted state park signs.  Continue 0.3 miles into the upper Topanga State Park parking lot.  There is a kiosk at the entry to the parking lot, which may or may not be staffed.  There is a charge for parking (around $10 which supports our state park system), so be sure to bring cash or a credit card.  If the kiosk isn’t staffed, there is an “iron ranger” where you pay for parking.  
From the San Fernando Valley, Ventura Freeway/101 Freeway, take Topanga Canyon Blvd. south and travel 7.6 miles south in the canyon to Entrada Drive.  Turn left on Entrada Drive and follow the directions above - .7 miles on Entrada, left on the small street with the posted park sign, .3 miles and another left into the Topanga State Park parking lot.
If you do not want to pay for parking, you can park on the road outside the parking lot and walk in.  It’s not far.
Reminder: Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted anywhere in Topanga State Park.  And, in case you are wondering, the Parker Mesa Overlook can also be reached from Pacific Palisades off Paseo Miramar.  Hiking from Paseo Miramar is a more strenuous hike.
RSVP: Please RSVP to Andi Ackerman at [email protected].  Please also provide me with your cell phone number in case of any last minute changes.  If you RSVP and then change your plans, please let me know, as we do try to wait for those who have RSVP’ed.  Please be aware that cell phone reception in this area is very poor.  
Hope to see you there - 
Andi Ackerman
Hiking Club leader

Contact: RSVP to Andi Ackerman at [email protected].