Top Of Reseda Trailhead in Tarzana, California

The Top Of Reseda Trailhead in Tarzana provides hikers with access to a number of the Santa Monica Mountains trails. It also offers a quick way to get into Topanga State Park, a wonderful place for exploring nature and enjoying the scenic beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Reseda Boulevard Trail, the main trail that runs along Reseda Boulevard between Tarzana and Topanga, passes a sign at the boundary of Topanga State Park before heading 0.2 miles up to Dirt Mulholland Drive, which it follows for another 0.6 miles to Hub Junction (the paved road that leads to the summit of Temescal Peak is across the street from Hub Junction). From this point, consider hiking 1.4 miles round trip to the top of Temescal Peak or stray west on Eagle Springs Loop, a 2.5-mile circuit to the more impressive summit of Eagle Rock.

Hub Junction, which is a good turnaround point for most of these hikes, offers excellent views from the top of Temescal Ridge and the surrounding mountains. There are also plenty of other vistas to enjoy on this hike, including the wide open valley that connects to the top of Caballero Canyon Trail and the rugged peaks of Topanga Peak and Calabasas Peak.

Hikers can take advantage of the many vista points and beautiful scenery to make this a great short hike, especially for beginners or those looking to stretch out their legs. It also makes a great destination for an evening stroll, watching the sunset.

Bent Arrow Trail, which folds down the ridge between Hub Junction and Dirt Mulholland Drive, adds another 1.55 miles of hiking to this hike. It’s a pleasant walk along a single track with a few bridges and benches under the heavy tree cover that’s easy to follow even for novice hikers.

The ridge that Bent Arrow Trail climbs is a fun and challenging section of the trail that includes a few uphill sections. During this part of the hike, you’ll also see some rattlesnakes and other wildlife, so it’s important to be aware of what’s around. You should wear proper hiking shoes and be prepared to stop and rest if you’re feeling tired. Other hazards include slip-‘n-falls and poison oak. You can also bring a water bottle and sunscreen to avoid getting sunburned.

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