With a population of nearly four million people, Los Angeles at times can feel like a never-ending urban jungle. Visit more congested and concrete-lined parts of the city and it’s easy to get discouraged by the lack of greenspace. But, if you know where to look, within its borders are pockets of nature that will make you question whether you’re still in a large metropolis. Enter the Riordan Trail Loop, a short but wild hike in the heart of LA that feels like it’s nowhere near the city. Just be sure to wear pants and check for ticks afterward.
There is plenty of street parking, so finding a spot shouldn’t be an issue. However, you’ll want to come prepared with everything you need as there are no facilities by the trailhead. Also, the park is open from dawn to dusk, although I wouldn’t recommend attempting this hike in the dark anyway. Look for the white gate to start your hike.
Walk past this gate to start your hike.
You start your Riordan Trail trek on a paved road and you’ll be treated almost immediately to stunning mountain views. Then, after a tenth of a mile, turn left onto a narrow, single-track trail just past the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MCRA) sign. Several trails converge here and it’s easy to get lost, so pay attention. Head straight at the first intersection, then look for a green pole with its top painted white. Just past this maker turn right and start hiking downhill.
Head left after the MRCA sign and continue straight at the intersection.
Turn right just past the pole to start hiking downhill.
The Riordan Trail now starts to become overgrown in parts, and pants are highly recommended. Luckily, the route itself isn’t hard to follow, as the foliage is mostly encroaching on the trail and not growing directly on the path. I even saw several notable native California plant species, including Purple sage, California Sagebrush, and Deerweed.
While there are several overgrown sections of trail, other parts are clear and easy to follow.
At 0.4 miles, turn right and start hiking down a series of switchbacks. As you do, take in views of the canyon around you, and Brentwood and West LA to the south. Don’t get too distracted, however, as the trail is steep at parts and it’s easy to fall if you’re not careful. It’s not a bad idea to bring hiking poles if you aren’t sure-footed.
The marine layer obscuring otherwise clear views of west LA.
Working your way deeper into the canyon, you’ll start to notice a change in the environment. The air becomes notably cooler and damper, and the foliage much more abundant. You’ll now start to see several grassy patches and vines climbing on larger trees, which provide several welcome sections of shade. At around three-quarters of a mile, you’ll reach a short but intense uphill section. Luckily after a tenth of a mile, it flattens out and you soon begin to hike downhill again.
The ecosystem changes noticeably as you descend into the canyon.
It was around this point in the hike when I started to reflect on how, despite our proximity to both the 405 and several residential neighborhoods, it felt like I was miles away from LA. Aside from some powerlines, a few homes, and views of the Westside in the distance (which, depending on which way the trail meandered aren’t visible), signs of civilization were non-existent. Even the sounds of thousands of cars zooming along the freeway were inaudible. At least for a moment, I felt like I was in the wilderness even though I was in the middle of the second-largest city in the country.
Continue to hike on and enjoy the beauty around you. Around mile 1.25, you’ll stumble across some long-forgotten gardening equipment, maybe left behind by those doing trail maintenance. Not soon after, you’ll begin an uphill climb. Follow a series of switchbacks until you reach the Mount Saint Mary’s Fire Road at mile two.
Abandoned gardening equipment.
Your view of the canyon walls as you work your way up to Mount Saint Mary’s Fire Road.
Head left and up along the trail, which is now wide and clear of any overgrown plants – a welcome change. As you hike along a ridgeline, enjoy the wide-open views of fancy LA homes and the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance. Soon, the path flattens out, making for the easiest section of hiking on this trail.
Bel Air homes and the San Gabriel Mountains.
The wide and flat trail was a welcome relief.
Sadly, your time on cruisy trail is short-lived. At mile 2.4, look for another green pole with a white tip, like the one at the beginning of your hike. Turn left and back onto a narrow, single-track trail with dense foliage (continuing straight leads to a locked gate).
Turn left at this pole to continue along the loop.
Despite the somewhat obtrusive nature of the plant life lining the trail, it was still at times beautiful. In fact, I hiked through a grove of blooming Southern Bush Monkeyflower, which was a special moment.
Walking through Southern Bush Monkeyflower.
A few parts of trail are mildly washed out, so use care when crossing these sections.
At mile 2.9, you’ll reach a fence. While the trail seems to disappear, it’s just a poorly marked switchback. Hike uphill a few feet and turn around, and you should see a faint trail. Continue for another 0.2 miles and you’ll reach the same clearing as at the beginning of your hike. Head back to the fire road and turn right to complete your adventure.
After reaching the fence, turn around and follow the faint trail under the tree branch to continue in the correct direction.
Tags: brentwood, Los Angeles, overgrown trail, Santa Monica Mountains, urban hike, washed-out
