Los Pinetos Trail

Distance: 7.5 miles one way, 15 round trip to the Wilson Canyon Bench.

Starting elevation at Placerita Canyon Nature center 1534'. Highest point: May Canyon Saddle, 3662'

The trail starts at the Placerita Canyon Natural Area (19152 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA, 91321.). Placerita is an east-west running canyon with a seasonal stream that supports a riparian community of willow, sycamore and other deciduous trees. According to the California parks Department (1), "The purpose of Placerita Canyon State Park, in Los Angeles County, is to preserve and protect the site of the first discovery of gold in California, in 1842. Designated as a State Historic Landmark, the unit is situated in the transition zone between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Mojave Desert, and contains sandstone formations, seasonal streams and riparian oak woodlands, as well as stands of cottonwood and native sycamore trees. The unit's location provides significant linkages connecting the Angeles National Forest, the Santa Susana Mountains, the Simi Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains. The unit contains the remnants of an historic ranch."

Placerita Canyon Natural Area - Click on the map above to see in full detail.

Adjacent to Placerita Canyon Natural Area are two newly created Open Space Preserves owned by the city of Santa Clarita. Click on the following images to see the detail of the maps.