This cache was originally placed as a puzzle cache, but there
haven't been enough visitors. It's such a great location that we've
decided to remove the puzzle element.
The idea for this cache came to us as we approached our 100th
find. We wanted to do something fun and place a cache in a place
worth visiting. You are headed to Temescal Peak, the highest peak
in Topanga State Park (2126'). The views are spectacular. From the
cache point you will see the San Fernando Valley, downtown LA, the
beach lines to San Pedro, and a great view of the Santa Monicas
with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. Make sure you take a camera!
We should have put a disposable in the cache.
If you plan to go after this one in the summer, leave very early
in the morning and take plenty of water. It is accessible by fire
roads and major trails, but it's a 4-6 mile hike depending on how
you approach it. The 3 terrain rating reflects that. We took our
son (21 months) along in his jogging stroller, and we were able to
carry him up to the peak for the last .1 miles.
You are looking for a small ammo can loaded with geocaching
oriented stuff. We put in some batteries, various micro containers,
hide-a-keys, our signature geomarbles, and a great geocaching
keychain for the First to Find.
Temescal Peak may be approached from virtually any starting
point in Topanga State Park. You can come up from Will Rogers State
Park on the Backbone Trail or approach from Trippet Ranch at the
Park Headquarters. After looking at several approaches, we selected
what we thought was the shortest route from the Valley. We
approached it from the top of Reseda Blvd. at Marvin Braude
Mulholland Park. There are several caches in this park as well as a
few along the way to the peak. Be sure to bring a lot of water and
food. There aren’t many shaded spots along the trail, so
dress appropriately and leave early in the morning. It took us
about four hours to do the whole hike, and we stopped several times
for shade, snacks, and water. We were also pushing a stroller, so
those of you traveling solo should be able to do this in much less
time.
Trail Details from Marvin Braude Park (about 6 miles RT):
From the parking area at Marvin Braude Park, hike up a fire road
past a locked gate .2 miles (steep section) to dirt Mulholland.
Continue right (west) for another .2 miles where on your left you
will come across a junction to the Temescal Fire Road which enters
Topanga Canyon State Park. Hiking down the fire road another .6
miles you will come upon the Garrapito Trail on your right.
Opposite on your left you will see the Bent Arrow trail leading
back .5 miles to dirt Mulholland. Lemo’s Lookout is in this
area if you want to stop for another one of our caches. Continuing
straight for another 1.4 miles brings you to a three way fire road
junction (Hub Junction) with a sign, bathroom, and Kiosk with a map
of Topanga State Park. Continue on and connect with the Rogers Road
Trail (Backbone Trail) that ultimately leads to Will Rogers State
Park. Shortly after this junction, you will see a narrow side trail
on your left which leads to the summit. Temescal Peak is
identifiable from below because it has two distinct pole markers
that are visible from the fire roads. Make sure you are headed for
the correct peak. We lost sight of it from the road and ended up
climbing the next peak only to get a great view of the real
Temescal Peak from about a half-mile away.
