Mt. Lukens - Rim of the Valley Loop

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Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This hike connects the two trails that lead to the top of Mt. Lukens, the tallest mountain Los Angeles City limits. The trail provides beautiful panoramic views of the entire Los Angeles region including downtown LA, Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island, and the Verdugo, Griffith, and Santa Monica Mountains.

Start at the parking lot for Deukemjian Wilderness Park and head north toward Mt. Lukens and into the park below. The park has multiple small, winding trails with many confusing signs. Now, you'll want to choose to start with Rim Of The Valley Trail which begins on the left or the Crescenta View Trail which begins on the right.

If you choose to begin with the Rim Of The Valley Trail (as the loop is mapped here), you'll be heading northwest out of Dunsmore Canyon into Cooks Canyon where you'll climb up and link with Haines Canyon Road (1.8 miles). Follow Haines Canyon Road for the remainder 3 miles, wrapping around the back of Mt Lukens before reaching the top. Use the Mount Lukens Road #2N76 to connect to the Crescenta View Trail.

You'll then continue down the Crescenta View Trail which is 4.5 miles and made up of switchebacks down the front of Mt. Lukens. This side has the better view but does not have much shade throughout the day. You can also choose to do this loop in reverse if you would prefer to climb up the Crescenta View Trail.

The summit of Mount Lukens is marred by a multitude of cellular and radio towers, control buildings, barbed wire, and access roads.