Day 43: Parker Mesa Overlook

Day# 43: Parker Mesa Overlook
Hau'oli Trail/Parker Mesa Trail/Paseo Miramar Trail/Los Liones Canyon Trail
Friday, August 7th 2015
Time: 3 hours, 42 minutes
Pace: 41:11/mile
Distance: 5.40 miles
Elevation Gain: 1302 feet
Dogs Allowed?: No

Directions:  
From Pacific Coast Hwy in Santa Monica:
Drive north on PCH for 4.4 miles to Sunset Blvd
Turn Right onto Sunset Blvd and continue 0.3 miles to Los Liones Dr
Turn Left onto Los Liones Dr and continue 0.5 miles to trailhead on right.
There is a large parking lot on the right side of the road with restrooms at the trailhead.

Today I set out to tackle another one of the peaks in the Santa Monica Mountains. Today I was heading to Parker Mesa Overlook. This spot has amazing coastal views over the Santa Monica Bay.  I wanted to make a loop out of this so I started off on the Hau'oli Trail.  This is not an official trail and is a bit hidden, look for the small use trail heading northwest right near the start of the Los Liones Trail. This trail is extremely steep in places and not good for children.

Looking back after the first part of the ascent

How and why would someone drag a couch up here?????

Much of the trail is under the bushes in a tunnel like fashion

Looking at what is to come

Steep, rocky and loose. This would be dangerous to come down

After the grueling climb up this trail, I finally reached the Parker Mesa Overlook.  There is a bench to rest and enjoy the sweeping coastal views. There was a few people here, so I just took some pictures and headed off down the Parker Mesa Overlook Trail to connect to the Paseo Mirimar Trail and head back down the mountain.

 

Parker Mesa Overlook Trail

Heading down the Paseo Miramar Trail

Views of Santa Monica below

The Paseo Miramar Trail is a fire road that heads down toward Pacific Palisades and is the main way most people take to get up to Parker Mesa.  It was a relaxing walk down the mountain after the crazy climb straight up the side.  Near the bottom of the trail on the righthand side will be the Los Liones Trail. This will take you back to the car on a great little winding singletrack through the canyons.

Starting down the Los Liones Trail

Fun singletrack trail

Lush little canyons

Great hike, lots of geocaches found, and one more peak scratched off the list. I call that a successful day!