We will start from Big Sur Station at 7:30 AM.  It will be a 10-mile jaunt to the hot springs, and 10 more to return to civilization.  You can do it.  There is a 10-mile (round trip) alternative to Ventana Camp.  Sunday offers a beautiful 8 mile loop at Molera Beach.

The trail head is at the top of North Kenter Avenue which junctions with Sunset Boulevard about 1¼ miles west of the 405 Frwy.  From Sunset Blvd. to the trail head at the top of North Kenter Avenue is about 2 miles and you know you're there because there is a large road barrier swing gate.  Parking is anywhere on the street prior to the gate. 

The run is mainly on Fire Road. The name of the Fire Road is Canyonback Road which will take you all the way to Mulholland Drive Fire Road. Go left on Mulholland to the Nike Site and then down Westridge to the Fire Road that goes down to Mandeville Canyon (Same fire road used in Irving's Run). Then take Mandeville Canyon to Hollyhock Fire Road which takes you back up to Canyonback Road (Same fire road used in Irving's Run). Turn right and return to the start. Total distance is about 10 miles. About half way on Canyonback Road is Mountaingate where there are some homes and the street is paved for about ¼ mile. This is a nice run mostly on fire road with a challenging first couple of miles - couple of steep hills going out which makes the return easy.

Trailhead directions:

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One of the best runs in the San Gabriels. Passes through chaparral-coated slopes with expansive canyon views, lush conifer forest and streamside woodland, sampling the grandeur of the Big Santa Anita watershed. Basically, an 1800 ft. elevation gain to Mt. Zion in the first 4 miles, and a 6 mile gradual endorphin-pumping-descent paralleling the river back to Chantry Flats.

This extremely scenic run begins and ends at the Circle X Ranch parking lot on Yerba Buena Road. It heads out the Canyon View Trail, crosses Yerba Buena Road to the Sandstone Peak Trailhead, and continues on to the Mishe Mokwa Trail. The route goes past Split Rock and Tri Peaks before turning onto the Backbone Trail, passing close by Sandstone Peak (the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains), and returns to Circle X Ranch via the Canyon View Trail. This course offers sweeping valley to ocean vistas, as well as views of spectacular rock formations. The trails are mostly well maintained single track, with a few short technical sections.

This run starts at the end of Westridge Road and follows the fire road to Mulholland and the park at a former Nike Radar Station with a rest room and drinking fountain. We then go west on Mulholland to Sullivan Ridge and then down into shady Sullivan Canyon finishing with a climb up a steep and rugged trail to Westridge and the finish.

This run begins at Ray Miller Trailhead, climbs to a ridge with good views of Boney Mt., Sycamore Canyon, and La Jolla Valley.  Instead of turning left to La Jolla Canyon, the run proceeds straight on N.Overlook Fireroad, then right on the Guadalasca Trail , which zig-zags down to Wood Canyon and finally to Sycamore Canyon Fire Road.  We then go right on Wood Canyon Vista Trail until Overlook Fire Road, then return via Ray Miller Trail.  A strenous run, but very rewarding.  With the expansive ocean views, one can almost see the curvature of the earth. 

Hondo Canyon (Saddle Peak to Entrada Road Parking Lot) This run begins at the intersection of Scheuren, Stunt, and Saddle Peak Roads. It's mostly downhill and follows the Backbone Trail through some lush areas, through the former site of a marijuana farm, and through Hondo Canyon to Old Topanga Canyon Road and then on to Topanga Canyon Road and the finish. This is run #17 in "50 Trail Runs in Southern California".  A popular option is an up and back for 12 miles total, rather than the 6 miles downhill.

This run, suggested by Irving Hoffman, starts at the end of Westridge Road and follows the fire road up to where it intersects with a utility fire road that goes down into Mandeville Canyon. From Mandeville Canyon the route goes up Hollyhock Fire Road to Canyonback Fire Road and then North to Mulholland Drive. Once on Mulholland Drive the run goes up to the former Nike Radar Station and park where there is a rest room and drinking fountain. From there, the route goes back down the Westridge Fire Road to the start.

This run begins at the trailhead off Latigo Canyon Road.  As you are struggling uphill, keep in mind that it is a net downhill.  After the parking lot at Corral Canyon we continue to Mesa Peak , then instead of going left down to Tapia, we stay to the right on Mesa Peak Motorway in a breathtaking downhill finish almost to the beach--This is the payoff for all that effort.  The run ends 1/4 mile from PCH at the gate on Puerco Canyon Road, where most of our cars are parked.
For those who don't wish to car shuttle, there is a 12 mile option.  Start running up from Puerco Canyon Road to Mesa Peak, then continue left to Corral Canyon, and return the way you came.
A shorter 6 mile option can be done from Corral Canyon to Puerco Canyon, but will require a car shuttle.

The trail at Los Liones climbs steeply for the first 2 miles through lush vegetation and ivy covered trees. A 1/2 mile diversion to Parker Overlook offers a beautiful view of the ocean and Santa Monica Bay. Then we continue on East Topanga Fireroad to Trippet Ranch and its water fountain and luxurious bathrooms. This is the  turnaround for our out and back run.