2 min
Overview
Less than a mile from the trailhead to the very popular (and often overcrowded) Turnbull Canyon lies the inconspicuous trailhead for the Elderberry Trail. It can be very easy to miss – the sign isn’t terribly visible from the road, it’s placed at a sharp hairpin turn, and odds are you won’t find many other cars parked there. But this seemingly passed-over trail will take you into the greater Worsham Canyon loop and provide many of the same views and experiences as Turnbull – but with more rugged trails, steeper inclines, and far fewer people. Begin at the Elderberry Trailhead – the gate blocking access to the fire road may be locked, but as long as the trails themselves are open you should be good to hike here (all trails in the Puente Hills Preserve are closed for 48 hours following rain – be sure to check their web site for updated trail closure information). A small sign notes the trail name, and a larger sign along the trail itself spells out some of the Preserve’s rules and regulations. The trail begins on an old dirt road that gradually rises 243 feet over just about a half mile. The road winds its way through some extensive fields of non-native but still-pretty-in-the-spring wild mustard before leveling off a bit before a trail junction. Near the top, you’ll also start to catch some really beautiful views of Turnbull Canyon to your west and (assuming the skies are clear) your first views toward Long Beach, Palos Verdes, and Catalina. As you’re soaking in the views, though, be sure to remain aware of what’s on or near the trail – because this trail isn’t as heavily used as Turnbull, you may see some rattlesnakes sunning themselves in the clearings on this route. I hiked this trail twice in the spring and saw big rattlers both times. If you do happen to see one, just back off and give it enough space to continue doing whatever snake thing it was doing. Remember, they don’t want to be near you any more than you want to be near them! If you are really concerned, hike with trekking poles. The vibrations on th
Trail Stats
6.9 km
311 m
415 m
225 m
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