Hiking Trail Guide: Rustic Canyon - Camp Josepho

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Rustic Canyon - Camp Josepho

Distance
6 miles

Elevation
900 feet gain

Difficulty
3/10

City
Pacific Palisades ,CA (90272) 17.55 miles from you Weather Map

Trailhead
From the San Fernando Valley, take the 405 south to Sunset, turn right (toward the beach), and in 7 miles turn right into Will Rogers State Park. Drive to the end of the almost 1 mile long entrance road. The trail head is behind the visitors center.

Description

This hike is a bit challenging, but rewards the hiker with some great scenery. The hike starts out following the Inspiration Point loop trail up a ridge line with great views of the ocean and city below. Just past the spur that leads up to inspiration point (at 1 miles), you will turn onto the Backbone trail. A quarter mike or so after you cross a bridge spanning a saddle, you will come to an unmarked trail on the right that drops steeply into Rustic Canyon.

Once you're on the canyon floor, head left towards the Camp Josepho scout camp. This section of the trail is my favorite, with lovely meadow like areas shaded by giant sycamores. When you reach the scout camp, turn around and back head down Rustic Canyon. As the canyon narrows, the woods get quite dense and at times the trail disappears, forcing you to walk in the streambed. Watch for an obvious trail to the right once the canyon flattens out again, leading back to Will Rogers Park. I found a topo map and GPS helpful.

Map / Directions: