An out-n-back, canyon-to-coast ridge-hike from Trippet Ranch in Topanga Canyon to Parker Mesa, above Pacific Palisades.
Hike Details
Canyon to the Coast
Situated inside Topanga State Park, this historic ranch site serves as the starting point for many hiking trails.
And since this is a California State Park, there’s a few points to note:
- Parking in the lot is $10
- There’s free parking on the road outside the park entrance.
- Sorry, no dogs allowed in State Parks
- There’s restrooms and water available at the trail head.
Tweets
In Partnership with:
TO SEE OUR COVID-19 ARTICLE
for LOCAL TREKS:
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate – Intermediate
DISTANCE:
6.8 miles / 11 km (rt)
HIKE TIME:
3 hrs (rt)
ELEVATION GAIN:
1060′ / 323m
Getting to Trippet Ranch
The address is: 20828 Entrada Rd, Topanga, CA 90290
Be sure to plug in the address (or Trippet Ranch) into Google Maps or Waze and follow the directions through Topanga Canyon.
The cell service through the canyon is spotty so be sure to keep your app on as you drive in.
It’s a bit of a labyrinth in there.
Drive all the way down to the large lot at the end of the road.
Trippet Ranch is a part of Topanga Canyon State Park
Free parking?
Yes, there is free parking, it’s just outside the park’s driveway on the street on Entrada Rd. You’ll see other cars parked here on your way into the State Park.
Along the Way...
Halfway out to Parker Mesa, we pass a giant seam of purple stones that traverse from the ridgetop all the way down into the canyon.
Layers upon layers of canyon ridges
Wide, easy fire roads the whole way.
During evening hours, you can watch the coastal marine layer creep up into the canyon from the coast.
Here's a time lapse I took from the last time I was out upon the ridge at sunset
What to Bring
T1D items in red
Pack:
– A small, 12 – 18 liter day pack will be fine.
Water:
– 1 liter will be plenty
– A 20 oz bottle of Gatorade (full sugar) can take care of most your water and glucose needs.
Camera:
Any kind of camera will do (SLR, iPhone, Polaroid)
Headlamp:
Or hand-held flashlight
(with good batteries)
Footwear:
– Trail Runners (PERFECT)
– Road Running shoes (GREAT)
– Hiking Boots (MAY BE OVERKILL)
Exposure Protection:
– Hat (cap will be fine)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna (optional)
– Sunglasses
– Beanie (in case it gets cold)
– Light gloves (it gets cold on cloudy days)
– Poncho (in case it rains)
– Wind shell (winter)
– Long sleeve mid-layer (winter)
Trail Calories:
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt
– Light snack (like an apple or trail mmix)
– Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Glucose Tabs
Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … you might get sweaty in the summer
– Hiking pants
– Shorts are fine in late summer.
– Alpine shell (only in winter)
Trekking Poles:
– Not necessary
Backup T1D items:
– Backup Glucose meter + strips
– CGM (optional)
– Backup insulin
– Pocket glucose (non-melting)
Other Stuff:
LNT:
We will be traveling in a fragile ecosystem, so we will practice Leave No Trace principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
