The Garden Land Loop

Story and photo by

Scott Regberg

Mirror contributing writer

   I’ve mentioned the Garden Land Trail in a previous article and received several queries to find out more about this shortcut to the Nike Missile Site.
   Take Mandeville Canyon up (and up) to almost the very top. If you’ve never driven all the way to the end of Mandeville, you’re in for a surprise as to how long a road it is. Just before the dead-end, there is a little residential side street called Garden Land.
   Only two houses long, Garden Land backs up into the West hillside with a discreetly hidden fireroad at the back of the cul de sac. That’s the trailhead to the scenic two-hour hike. Don’t be discouraged by the drive or the hike’s first fifteen minutes, which is a steep and grinding uphill challenge. It does level off and most of the hike is fairly easy the rest of the way.
   The fire road winds along the ridge overlooking upper Mandeville with great views down the canyon to the Pacific. About forty-five minutes up and you’ll notice the odd "platform" overlooking the Westside. It’s perched on the ridge like some derelict flat communications device and it’s hard to imagine that a Nike missile actually sat atop it waiting to be launched.
   The Garden Land Trail actually connects to upper Westridge and is a lot busier than many of the trails we usually take. It’s a wide fire road all the way and be prepared to dodge a few bikes. The Nike site has been reinvented into a peculiar little park with vending machines, proper rest rooms and a 25 cent telescope. You can even walk up the tower’s steel stairs onto the launching pad for a panoramic view.
   We like to take the east ridge back which makes for a nice loop hike, rather than repeating the same terrain. Because the east ridge is an extension of Kenter, you have to keep your eye out for the down path to Mandeville - miss it and you’ll have a very long walk back to the car.
   The down trail is a neat little partially paved route that spills out on Mandeville about a quarter of a mile lower than Garden Land.
   Other than the tough start, this is an overall easy two-hour hike with great views.

   Fearless readers who are interested in free Monday and Wednesday night hikes should contact Scott Regberg at 310-475-5735.