Hellman Park Trailhead

The inspiration

The trailhead is now part of the Puente Hills Preserve, created in 1994 by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, an agency born from an agreement that put money from each ton of landfill waste toward preserving the hills¹ .

Who's behind it

The Habitat Authority traces its founding idea to Bob Henderson, a former Whittier mayor who served as the agency's founding chairman^1,2 . The land is owned by the City of Whittier and managed by the Habitat Authority, whose executive director, Andrea Gullo, has spoken for the agency on its management and reopenings^2,3 .

What to order

• Mariposa Trail: a hiking-only footpath with canyon views and occasional shade, branching off Peppergrass mid-slope before reconnecting .⁴
• Turnbull Canyon loop: the trailhead connects to old roads used recreationally, including routes through Turnbull Canyon .⁴
• The decorative entrance gates: artist James Naish worked flowers, lizards, insects, birds and cactus wrens into the wrought iron .⁵

What people are saying

The Habitat Authority itself describes the area's expansive panoramic views of the region and its strenuous uphill climb on Peppergrass Trail⁴ . An editorial hike description in the San Diego Reader echoed the sweeping panoramas across the canyons and city⁶ .

Why you should try it

Bring your own water and park outside the city's restricted permit-parking areas, since parking is offsite⁴ .