Hike #1535
Garapito Trail to Hub Junction
Jully 12, 2023

Hike Leader:  Raalph Shoukry

HIKE STARTS AT 7:00 am

Please print your own hike descriptions and maps.

GPS Data: RT = 8.6 mi RT (incl. Eagle Rock)
Max Elevation Gain = 1.690 ft.

Directions to Trailhead:   Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park is at 3600 Reseda Blvd. Tarzana, CA 91365.   From the 101, get off at Reseda Blvd. and go south for 3.2 mi.  You'll pass Ventura Blvd., Braemar Country Club, and some gated-community homes.   Reseda Blvd. dead-ends at the park, so it's hard to get lost.   Parking is curbside and costs $5.00 close to the turnaround, but you can park further down the street for free.  Stop at the stop signs otherwise prepare to be photographed and receiving a $100 fine.  There are restrooms at the turn around and potable water where we'll have refreshments.

The Hike:  We will hike 0.2 miles up the dirt road extension of Reseda Blvd. from Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park to Mullholland Dr.  Turn right on Mulholland Dr. and continue for 0.25 miles until a fork in the road.  Take the left fork that is the start of Fire Road 30 indicated by the direction sign.   Pass by the locked yellow gate.

Walk 0.6 miles along Fire Road 30 and look for the sign "Garapito Canyon Trail" on the right.  The sign is not on the side of the fire road but some 20 yards into the brush.  Fire Road 30 starts out descending, and then starts ascending.  The sign is at this change of elevation, so look for the sign at this point.  It is not all that big.  Garapito sign.

The Garapito Trailis a very pleasant trail, much like the Musch Trail out of Trippet Ranch Park.  The initial 1.1 miles is downhill, is shaded and is very overgrown.  The next 1.7 miles is uphill and in partial sun/shade.  The trail ends at the East Topanga Fire Road portion of the Backbone Trail in view of Eagle Rock to the right  Take the 0.5 round trip to Eagle Rock if you want a little extra mileage.  Otherwise, turn left on the Backbone trail for a further 0.8 mile hike to Hub Junction.  This is a good place to eat lunch.  After lunch, turn left at the Hub on Fire Road 30 to return to the trailhead.

An alternate option after returning 1.4 miles down Fire Road 30 and reaching the Garapito trailhead, is to take the "Bent Arrow" trail to the right.  This is identified on the Google photo below as the "Broken Arrow" trail.  After 0.4 miles you will reach Mullholland Dr. Turn left and continue uphill for another 0.6 miles then turn right at the roadsign within view of the trailhead.

Bring your own refreshments for after the hike at the Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park trailhead.

I picked this hike in memory of Vicky Ritter.  Garapito Canyon was Vicky's favorite trail.  Hike #1458 was her last hike as hike leader on October 6, 2021.
Vicky loved spicy food and in her honor I will provide individual mild or hot homemade salsa and chips…..Hope to see you there to honor this lovely lady.

Google Earth Photo - Garapito Trail to Hub Junction

Updated:  2023-07-10