Dusk in Chadwick Canyon

Inside Chadwick Canyon

Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Chadwick Canyon in Rolling Hills Estates.

• Location:  Rolling Hills Estates.  From I-405 in Torrance, take the Crenshaw Blvd. exit and head south for 6.5 miles (if you are coming from the south, take a left on 182nd and a left on Crenshaw.)  At Palos Verdes Drive North, take a right and then a quick left on Academy Drive.  Park on the side of the road.  I-110, take the Anaheim St. exit, head west for 1.1 miles and take a hard right onto Palos Verdes Drive North at the five-way intersection.  Go 3.7 miles on Palos Verdes and take a left onto Academy.
• Agency: Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
• Distance: 2.1 miles
• Elevation gain: 350 feet
• Difficulty Rating:  PG
• Suggested time: 1 hour
• Best season:  All year
• USGS topo maps: “Torrance”, “San Pedro”
• More information: here
• Rating: 3

This is a fun little trip to a trail that is very popular with equestrians, but not that well known with hikers.  It follows a canyon up a hillside, ending at the baseball diamond on the Chadwick School campus.

From Academy Drive, head back to Palos Verdes Drive North, head left and look for the Bridal Trail sign.  After passing by a few houses, take a left onto the signed Santa Bella trail.  The canyon becomes thickly wooded, and except for a little bit of noise from Crenshaw and Palos Verdes Drive North, there are few signs of civilization.  At one point, the trail passes under an arch-like “tunnel” of trees that will look familiar to veterans of the Holy Jim Falls trail.

At another junction, stay left (a sign warns of hazardous trail conditions, but the it’s easily passable).  You start climbing the canyon wall, and pick up the Brown Deer trail.  Take a right, and continue the ascent.  The trail passes through a garden, where other paths branch off, which you can explore as well.  The main trail continues straight and finally arrives at the baseball diamond.

On the way back down into the canyon, you get nice views to the north.  On clear days, the San Gabriel Mountains are visible.  While Chadwick Canyon isn’t a “must do” hike, it’s a nice and easy way for residents of the South Bay to get into nature.