EDGE TRAIL
A large oak tree grows beside this bench at the crossroads of two popular trails in Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park. It may seem like just another coastal live oak – but spend a little time here and you will start to understand the tree’s significance. It is one of the few large trees standing strong and tall along Mandeville Canyon fire road, an area that was ravaged by the Palisades fire in January 2025. While recovery has been steady and the trails have reopened, signs of the fire’s impact are ever-present.
From the bench, you may see clusters of blackened branches rising above green chaparral growing back thick and bright on the canyon slope. Dry non-native grasses cover a nearby ridge, but post-fire native plants like laurel sumac and buckwheat also dot the landscape. Amid the din of recreation around you – the whoosh of mountain bikes, the footfalls of hikers – you also may hear the sounds of butterflies, insects, birds, and other residents of this urban wilderness. Hopeful, helping to rebuild their natural world.
This is one of several benches located within Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park, Easy to spot from Mandeville Canyon fire road, it sits beside a large oak tree with an eastern-facing view of the park. Each bench is unique and offers a different view and experience within these 1,500 acres of protected open space between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
Bench coordinates - 34°06'30.2"N 118°30'51.4"W
-
The bench is at a crossroads of two main trails: Mandeville Ridge and Mandeville Fire Road.
It can be reached from Westridge Trailhead via a moderate 2-mile ascent on the wide and well-maintained Mandeville Canyon fire road. Return the same way for a 4-mile round-trip hike.
WiFi and cell phone coverage are intermittent. The fire road is easy to follow, but it’s recommended to download trail maps ahead of your hike.
There is very little shade; a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water is recommended. The closest toilet is about 1.5 miles north of the bench at San Vicente Mountain Park.
The trails get busy, especially on weekends. Expect to share them with dogs, mountain bikers, and the occasional equestrian.
Unleashed dogs are allowed in Westridge-Canyonback Park, as long as they are well-trained and can be recalled on command.
-
Walk past the fire road gate and kiosk beside the parking lot and follow the main fire road (Mandeville Canyon) north.
Stay on the fire road for 2 miles until you reach an unmarked crossroads with the fire road and the single-track Mandeville Ridge Trail.
The bench is on the east side of the fire road beside a large oak tree.
Alternative hike from the north:
The bench can also be reached from the Upper Canyonback Trailhead near the beginning of Dirt Mulholland, the unpaved segment of Mulholland Drive. Park in the small lot and follow the wide unpaved trail west 0.8 mile to San Vicente Mountain Park. Head left to Mandeville Fire Road and take it south about 1.5 miles to the bench. Be sure to stay to the right as there are a couple of unmarked spur trails along the fire road’s east side.
Return to the trailhead the same way you came, for a total round-trip hike of 4.8 miles.
-
From the 405 freeway, exit at Sunset Boulevard and head west 5 miles to Mandeville Canyon Road.
Turn right on Mandeville Canyon Road and continue 0.3 mile to Westridge Road. Turn left and drive 2.3 miles until Westridge Road ends at the trailhead parking lot.
For the alternative hike beginning at the Upper Canyonback Trailhead, take the 405 Freeway to Skirball Center Drive (exit 61), and head west on Mulholland Drive.
Drive 2.4 miles to the paved road’s end and park in the small dirt lot near the trailhead.
-
There is a small parking lot at the north end of Westridge Road and free street parking south of the lot along Westridge Road and Cordelia Drive. Be respectful while walking in the neighborhood, and heed all parking signs.