Trail Review - Dirt Mulholland Trail

TRAIL REVIEW - DIRT MULHOLLAND

You can see the single track and fireroad.

Difficulty: easy

Distance:1.5 miles roundtrip

Dog : off leash

Solitude: depends when you go

Best Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring

Directions: Exit 405 Northbound at Mulholland Blvd., Turn left on Mulholland Blvd heading West. Travel approximately .75 miles past Bel-Air Presbyterian Church until Mullholland slopes downward. There is a dirt area that you need to turn left into. Upon turning left take the fire road until you see a chain link fence surrounding a small building and a yellow trail gate. You can park in front of the chain link fence.

The gate on the fire road at the entrance to this hike.

I don't actually know what the real name of this trail is. It is a part of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. I have always referred to it as Dirt Mulholland. It is a fire road that connects the north end of the Mountaingate Gated Community and Country club with Mulholland.

The trail starts out immediately with a pretty steep incline. However you soon are descending onto a ridge type fire road trail that meanders up and down for approximately .75 miles finally slopping downward severly and terminating at a gate separating Mountaingate from the fire road. In addition to the fireroad there is also a single track trail that essentially parallels the fireroad. The fireroad has less ups and downs, but you can go one direction on the fire road and one direction on the single track.

There is almost no shade to speak of so its best early in the morning or on moderate to cool fall, winter and spring days.  Its an excellent locale to watch a sunrise.

Dogs are allowed off-leash, however they are supposed to be under your immediate control, always within your sight. As if you had to be told, you are expected to bag and carry your dog's poop out with you.

Mountain biking is permitted on this trail.

view of Palos Verdes and Catalina

Additionally, on a clear days the trail affords great views of the entire Valley as well as potentially the entire westide and even down to the South bay, Palos Verdes and Catalina Island.