Turnbull, Trekkin', Temple

Some hikes are like a highlight reel: they feature all of the good stuff quickly. Turnbull Canyon near the town of Whittier in LA County is the centerpiece of the Puente Hills Preserve, and home to a 4.5-mile loop trail that rises to phenomenal views. The hike begins on Turnbull Canyon Trail, a fire road flanked by a myriad of grasses and a riparian creek-bed habitat. Sycamore trees dominate the area (and so do sprinkles of poison oak). A left at the first junction followed by a right at the next one will have you following the steepest inclines to highly unique views of Los Angeles. To the northwest, gaze at the stunning terra-cotta pagoda of the Rose Hills Buddhist Columbarium, where monks from nearby Hsi Lai Temple (the second largest in the western hemisphere) perform Buddhist funeral ceremonies. Follow the strenuous section of fire road to the water tower and get incredible panoramas, including the San Gabriels to the north, the downtown skyline to the west, the Santa Anas to the south, and even the San Jacinto range far to the east. On super clear days, look for the Santa Monicas beyond downtown, as well as Catalina Island. On your descent, keep right at each trail intersection, enjoying scattered seasonal poppy blossoms amongst ever-present sagebrush and laurel sumac. At the Sumac Trail junction keep left to finish the loop. Tune in to Turnbull!

To get to the trailhead, take the 60-E to the 19-S (Rosemead Blvd). After just over 2 miles on the 19, take a left onto Beverly Blvd. Four miles from this turn (and after the road becomes Turnbull Canyon Rd.), the small dirt lot will be on your left. If the area is full, make a U-turn and take advantage of street parking once the permit-only signs disappear. Note: You may have to walk 0.5 mile to the trailhead. Dog-friendly!