06 SANTA MARIA TRAIL

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

Length: 9.5 miles

Configuration: Loop

Technical difficulty: 4

Aerobic difficulty: 3

Scenery: Topanga Canyon, Eagle Peak, Eagle Rock, Santa Ynez Canyon

Exposure: 100% exposed to sunshine

Trail traffic: Light on weekdays, light to moderate on weekends

Trail surface: Dry hardpack with embedded sandstone boulders, some slickrock

Riding time: 1.5–2.5 hours

Access: Sunrise–sunset, 7 days a week

Maps: USGS 7.5-minute quads: Topanga, Canoga Park

Special comments: Heat can be a factor on this ride, so bring lots of water.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES (WGS84)

UTM Zone 11S

Easting 353244

Northing 3776687

Latitude N 34.07′15″

Longitude W 118.35′29″

DIRECTIONS

From US 101, exit Topanga Canyon Boulevard south. Continue on Topanga Canyon about 6.2 miles until you reach Cheney Drive. Park on the shoulder of the road near this intersection. From Pacific Coast Highway, drive north on Topanga Canyon Boulevard about 6.5 miles until you reach Cheney Drive, and then park on the shoulder.

In Brief

Although Topanga Canyon is a well-known local destination for LA mountain bikers, much of this nearly 10-mile loop is off the beaten path and known to few. It offers splendid views of Santa Maria Creek and its rock formations, and has the most technical stretch of trail in the area.

Description

From the intersection of Cheney Drive and Topanga Canyon Boulevard, take a 0.6-mile-long spin north up Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The unmarked trailhead starts on the right (east) side of the road, across from Pat’s Topanga Grill, on the left (west) side of the road.

The first quarter mile of the trail is a steep lung burner, with just enough traction to keep the strongest riders from having to dab their feet. At roughly 0.25 miles from the trailhead, turn left onto Santa Maria Trail, a well-beaten path. The next 0.4 miles are a mildly ascending singletrack. For those keen on exploration, the famed Santa Maria caves lie amid the large rock formations across Santa Maria Creek, to your right and below where you are riding.

Continue up the trail, mindfully avoiding one descending right turn, and join the paved Santa Maria Road. Ignore any private road signs, and spin your way up the gentle, picturesque, albeit asphalt-crusted ascent to unpaved Mulholland Drive. Turn right, go around the closed gate, and start pedaling on the equally scenic, unpaved, off-limits-to-cars Mulholland. On a clear day, you will see the whole San Fernando Valley, along with the Simi Hills and western San Gabriel Mountains. After nearly 2 miles of mellow ascending and descending, turn right on the broad fire road that reenters Topanga State Park.

After about 0.6 miles of easy descending, start the 1.4-mile ascent to “The Hub” or “Hub Junction,” the intersection of Eagle Rock Trail, Eagle Springs Trail, and Temescal Ridge Fire Road. From this four-way intersection, turn right, heading northeast on Eagle Rock Trail, which starts with a short ascent. The additional half mile of mild descending will reward you with a great view at Eagle Peak—the gargantuan ancient monolith called Eagle Rock, Santa Ynez Canyon, and possibly the Pacific on a fog-free day.

Treat yourself to full compensation for your aerobic efforts by descending Eagle Rock Trail for 0.4 miles. This stretch could be described as either a narrow fire road or a wide singletrack, but you’ll enjoy it even if you’re of the “glass is half empty” persuasion because it is fast, steep, and rich in technical subtleties like loose rocks and rain ruts. When this hill flattens out, after roughly 7 miles of riding, turn right and start descending “Elephant Rock Trail”—as it is called by the locals—which is narrow, rutted, and composed mostly of embedded sandstone. About halfway down this 0.6-mile singletrack, a large rock formation with a few caves will appear on the left. Try to figure out why it was given the name “Elephant Rock”—I’m still baffled.

After some amateur spelunking, backtrack a little on the trail, lower your seat, and attempt the remaining descent without dabbing, crashing, or both. You will find it very tough to follow an error-free line on the way down. Don’t hesitate to turn around and take a few more runs—you spent a lot of money on your full-suspension rig, so you should see what it can do.

Once you’re done goofing around and back on your bike engaging in downward loco motion, you’ll find the trail ends at a fence, beyond which is a private residence. Don’t worry—you’re not trespassing as long as you go down the driveway. To get back to your car, just follow the road downhill. At the 8.3-mile mark, turn right onto Cheney Drive, and follow this road back to Topanga Canyon Boulevard, at which point your odometer will have hit the 9-mile mark. Give yourself a pat on the back for having faith in local knowledge and the courage to stray off the beaten path. As they say, “When in Topanga …”

After the Ride

For a slice of pizza and beer on tap, visit Rocco’s in the Canyon, at 123 South Topanga Canyon Boulevard; (310) 455-2487. For Mexican food and an even larger selection of beverages, try Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant at 137 South Topanga Canyon Boulevard; (310) 455-8788.