Directions - Off Interstate 5 in Newhall, exit on Calgrove. Go south one mile on The Old Road, past Towsley Canyon, the Post Office, and the Nazarene church, and turn right into the entrance to East Canyon. If you miss the first turn in, there is another about 100 yards south, just before the bridge. You will find ample parking and a restroom. The trail starts at a sign and gate just off the parking lot. Distance - The trail starts at 1460’ and ends at an open gate at 2608’. It is 2.5 miles from bottom to top. Difficulty - Moderate. The ascent for the first mile is gradual. It then becomes somewhat difficult, though entirely run-able, much of it shaded. Notes - The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy MRCA manages East Canyon in addition to Rice Canyon, which branches from the primary trail.
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Don McLean -
This is one of the prettiest of the Santa Monica Conservancy trails. A stream runs through and is filled with water for most of the year. Oaks and evergreen trees abound.
This trail also connects to many others. About a quarter mile inside East, there is a fork with a sign that shows you the Rice Canyon option, a much shorter and easier route that involves five stream crossing. The Rice stream flows year around.
Just beyond the open gate at the top, to your left, you will see a fire road coming down. If you take that road, called Weldon Canyon, you will go on an easy descent, and find yourself exiting on the west service road alongside I-5, very near the bridge and top of the Newhall Pass.
If you continue .6 miles beyond the East gate and another .6 miles, you will be at a fork in the road, at a water tank, and at 2806’. If you go left at the fork, you will descend to O’Melveny Park in Granada Hills. If you go right, you will run for a very long time indeed, the full extent of the road being unknown to us.
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