6.0 hr
Overview
It's eight miles of uphill. If in the first four miles you ever find yourself going downhill, you're on the wrong trail. The views at around mile 4 are good, and any hike that gets you away from civilization is a good one, but mostly this is a workout. After mile four there are a couple tiny descents, but it's still mostly uphill.<br><br>Start at the Park and Ride at Whitney Canyon Park. Stick to the main fire road and head uphill. You can continue for a long ways or descend into Placerita Canyon via the Los Pinetos Trail, or Sylmar via the Wilson Canyon or May Canyon truck trails.<br><br>The exact name of this trail depends on the source you look at so be aware that some sources call it Whitney Canyon Road and Santa Clara Truck Trail.
Trail Stats
18.7 km
779 m
1171 m
436 m
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Photos
This is the top of Whitney Canyon Road. If you're on the Beast, bearing left is no good - it's downhill! Head right to get to Los Pinetos Peak. (There's actually two junctions you can turn at; this is the second one.)
This is the top of Whitney Canyon Road. If you're on the Beast, bearing left is no good - it's downhill! Head right to get to Los Pinetos Peak. (There's actually two junctions you can turn at; this is the second one.)
This water tank tells you that you're near the top of Whitney Canyon Road.
This water tank tells you that you're near the top of Whitney Canyon Road.
There might have been two, maybe three, patches of shade like this on Whitney Canyon Road.
There might have been two, maybe three, patches of shade like this on Whitney Canyon Road.
Just a view.
Just a view.
Bench and view.
Bench and view.
Appears to be a memorial for a fallen Marine. The book is CS Forester's Rifleman Dodd.
Appears to be a memorial for a fallen Marine. The book is CS Forester's Rifleman Dodd.
The trail ahead, climbing a ridgeline.
The trail ahead, climbing a ridgeline.
That radio tower way in the distance is the top of The Beast.
That radio tower way in the distance is the top of The Beast.
Trailhead; the trail heads up and to the right from here.
Trailhead; the trail heads up and to the right from here.
Elsmere Canyon Open Space.
Elsmere Canyon Open Space.