Hike #1433
January 22, 2020
Friendship Park to the Miraleste Trails
Hike Leader: John Leete
Meet at 9:00 am for start at 9:30 am
Please print your own hike descriptions and maps. This will avoid the inconvenience and save costs to the hike leader.
Directions to Trailhead: Go to the southern end of Harbor Fwy (110) to Gaffey Street, San Pedro exit, South (left) on Gaffey to 9th Street West, (right) on 9th Street to Western Avenue (1.4 mile). Cross Western and turn left in half a block onto Friendship Park Drive.
Restrooms are available inside the Nature Center, which opens at 9 AM.
Many hike variations are possible in this area, I have picked three. You should walk on the left-hand side of the roads that do not have sidewalks, so that you face the oncoming bicycle and automobile traffic.
All of the hikes start on the Fowler Trail through the Friendship Park and exit the park on Calle Aventura. Elevation gains are WAGs.
Short Hike (yellow path, 5 mile loop, 500 ft gain): Go North, walking on the right-hand side of Palos Verdes Drive East (PVDE) to the Colinita Trail (A) which starts 20 yards past the “Welcome to Miraleste” sign. Cross the street at the trail end to proceed on the Siena Loop Trail (B). Then cross Miraleste Drive to the Lorraine Trail (C) and go North to the La Canada Trail (D), which ends at PVDE near the Miraleste Plaza. There is a picnic table in the plaza. Return to Friendship Park via PVDE or return on the trails.
Intermediate Hike (green path, 6.5 mile loop, 900 ft gain): Go South on PVDE, up the Crest Road to the Nike Trail (F) and then continue up Crest to Paseo de Pino. The stairway on the right descends to the Miraleste Canyon Trail (E), although walking down Paseo de Pino may be preferred. Parts of the trail have been washed out by our recent rain storms. Be very careful crossing PVDE at the end of the Miraleste Canyon Trail. Then follow the “short hike” trails back to Friendship Park.
Stout-hearted Hike (red path, 9.4 mile loop, 1300 ft gain): Go South on PVDE, then down the Marymount Trail (H) to PVD South (26th St). Hike up Forrestal Drive and the Pirate Trail (G) in the Forrestal Nature Reserve. Neighborhood streets (Coolheights, Floweridge, and Ganado Drives) connect to the “intermediate hike” on Crest Road. Follow the green path to the Miraleste Canyon Trail and then back to Friendship Park on the “short hike” trails.
2020-01-13