CONTRIBUTOR: SHARON BROSSIER

This is a 1.5 hour (approx. 3.8 mile) hike on easements and quiet streets. Much of the hike is shady and is pleasant in warmer weather. Water is only available at Howlett Park. The first third of the hike is an equestrian area. When horses are encountered, step off the trail and speak in quiet tones so as not to frighten them.

Park at Ernie Howlett Park on Hawthorne Blvd. The hike begins on the dirt bridle trail in the northwest corner of the park behind the maintenance yard. Follow the trail westward, downhill, keeping the chain link fence to your right. In 5 minutes, you will be at a stable and trail junction at the bottom of the canyon. Take the dirt trail up the canyon on the left, crossing a paved road in another 10 minutes. Continue up the dirt trail behind the stables.

The trail ends in another 6 minutes at PV Dr. N. Make a short jog to your right and cross PV Dr. N at Campesina. After about 50 yards along Campesina, take the utility trail on the right (behind the houses that front on PV Dr. N). Continue on this trail until you come to the fourth paved road (about 15 min). Make a right on Colusa and cross PV Dr. N again. A block and a half north of PV Dr. N is the “telephone pole” trail that marks the boundary between Torrance and PV Estates. Turn right and follow the trail east.

In 20 minutes, the driveable easement ends and a narrower trail continues along a steep gully. At the end of the gully, take the right fork up the hill. Turn left on (paved) Via Nivel and go 2 blocks to Via Valmonte. Cross Valmonte and take the narrow easement trail which is just to the right of the “Not a through street” sign. At the top of the hill, turn left on Via Pinzon which ends in a cul de sac. Step over the cable and follow the dirt trail through the vacant lot for a great view of the Los Angeles Basin on a clear day. Carefully continue with the bluff on your left toward Howlett Park and through a gate in the fence to return to the starting point.