Woodlands in the Linden Chandler Preserve
Linden H. Chandler Preserve
- Location: Palos Verdes Peninsula. From Los Angeles and points north, take I-110 south to Pacific Coast Highway. Turn right and go 1.5 miles to Western. Turn left and go 0.8 miles to the five-way intersection and take a right on Palos Verdes Drive North. Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Dapplegray. Take a quick left on Bucksin, follow it to its end and park by the fence. From the Vincent Thomas Bridge, stay straight to get onto Summerland St. In a mile, turn right on Western. Go 2.1 miles and turn left on Palos Verdes Drive North.
- Agency: Linden Chandler Preserve/Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation gain: 300 feet
- Difficulty Rating: G
- Suggested time: 30 minutes
- Best season: Year-round
- USGS topo map: San Pedro Hills
- More information: here
- Rating: 3
Tucked between the Rolling Hills Country Club and Palos Verdes Drive North, the 28-acre Linden Chandler Preserve provides a nice quiet getaway with a good variety of scenery. Hikers can do the short loop described here, or easily extend their trip on a number of bridle trails that radiate outward from the preserve.
From the end of Buckskin Lane, follow the path into the park. From this vantage point, your clear day views include the Los Angeles basin and the San Gabriel Mountains. Take a hard right on a path that heads downhill, and almost immediately, take a left and make a small loop around the end of the golf course. At a T-junction, head right and downhill. You can take a somewhat rough single-track trail that branches off (be careful), or stay on the fire road. At the bottom, head right and into a pleasantly shaded area. This is an example of the riparian habitat the preserve was formed to protect. You climb out of the wetlands and soon reach another junction with the signed Dale’s Trail.
Head left (you can extend the trip by going right, downhill and into a short loop) and soon arrive at the Empty Saddle trailhead. Head left onto the Howard Trail (again you can extend things on the bridle trail that heads straight from here, leaving the preserve.) A steep descent brings you to another trailhead and a dirt road. Head left, past the baseball field and continue through some more woodlands. Stay straight and begin a steep climb back up to the trailhead at the end of Buckskin. You can extend the route on the Dapplegray Trail, which continues east, making a few ups and downs before ending at Palos Verdes Drive East.
In case you were wondering, Linden Chandler (1900-1995) was a concrete and gravel magnate who lived in the area.
Text and photography copyright 2011 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from hiking on this trail. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.
