Inspiration Loop Trail

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Los Angeles State Historic Park

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 4.3 miles / 6.9 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: The Inspiration Loop Trail provides a great opportunity to leave the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and quickly escape into the Santa Monica Mountains. Thanks to the generous gift of Betty Rogers we can learn about the importance of Will Rogers and share his love of nature and mankind. In addition to touring the historic Ranch House and learning why Will is regarded as one of the preeminent Americans of the 20th century, we can also experience the reason he chose to live in these gorgeous rambling mountains. Experience multiple unique vistas of the Los Angeles basin and Santa Monica Bay with clear day views of Catalina, Saddleback Peak, and Chino Hills. Connect to the Backbone Trail in Topanga State Park and get still better views and more exercise. The route taken includes two side trips to Inspiration Point and a portion of the Backbone Trail as far as the Chicken Ridge Bridge. The loop was a favorite of Will's and the visiting elite of early Hollywood.

Will’s Ranch became his refuge where he relaxed with family and friends while pursuing his favorite pastimes of riding and roping. When Will died in1935 in a tragic plane crash, the ranch consisted of a 31-room ranch house, stable, corrals, a riding ring, roping arena, a polo field, a small golf course, and several hiking/riding trails through the property. In 1944 Betty Rogers deeded the Ranch to California State Parks as a living memorial to Will and his tireless efforts in healing the hearts of a broken nation and eliminating suffering.

Ranch House Tours:
Tours of the Ranch House are offered Thursdays and Fridays, at 11 am, 1 pm, and 2 pm. Ranch House tours on Saturday and Sunday are given on the hour from 10 am to 4pm. You do not need a reservation to take a tour unless you have a group of 15 or more.
School group and special group tours are available Thursdays and Fridays at 10 am. For more information contact the Park Interpretive Staff at (310) 454-8212, ext. 103.

Equestrian Activities:
The Will Rogers Polo Club plays polo each weekend from April to October. Riding lessons are available Monday through Saturday. See visit the park’s destination page on this app for more information. Equestrians are welcome to bring their horses into the park for day-use, to enjoy the riding and roping arena, Sarah's Point, and the Inspiration Point Trail.

On site is Will Rogers Trail Rides providing horse rental and guided trail rides on the trails of Will Rogers SHP. Guided trail rides are available every day except Mondays. Rides can be booked Tuesday through Fridays as can a private guided ride. Call (310) 662-3707 or go online at http://www.willrogerstrailrides.com for information.

Hiking Trails:
A moderate 2-mile loop trail to Inspiration Point Mre adventurous hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians can travel the Backbone Trail deeper into the Santa Monica Mountains, which can take you through Topanga SP and as far as Point Mugu.

Ranch Tours:
The Park Interpretive Staff offers tours of the ranch house and grounds. However, you and your family can enjoy many features of the park on your own. Visit the park’s destination page with links to the official web page to download the Self-Guided Ranch Tour Card.

Visitor Center:
The visitor center is open daily 8:30AM to 4:30PM..

Picnic Area
Located at the far end of the main parking lot, tables and BBQ grills are provided. Reservations are required when group size is 25 or more. Call (310) 454-8212 Ext.106 for reservation information.

Wi-Fi Service:
Will Rogers State Historic Park offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service.
Access to the service is within a 250 foot range of the Ranger Station within in the Park.

Tips: Park Information:
Will Rogers SHP
1501 Will Rogers Park Road
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272

Phone:
310-454-8212

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Will Rogers State Historic Park

Hours:
Daily including Holidays 8AM-Sunset

School group tours and special group tours: Thursday and Fridays at 10 am.

Please call 310-454-8212, ext. 103 for more information.

Accessibility:
Picnic Area:
Two accessibly designed picnic tables at the east end of the park, an accessible parking space and accessible portable restroom are nearby. The route of travel and area around the tables are usable.

Trails:
The Inspiration Loop Trail begins at the riding arena and is accessible for nearly 1/2 mile. The trail offers excellent views of the Los Angeles Basin, Santa Monica Bay and the surrounding Santa Monica Mountains. Accessible parking is not available at the trailhead; contact the park for tram service to access the trail. The trail is constructed of compacted soil.

Exhibits/Programs:
The Ranch House is open for tours Tuesday through Sunday (closed Monday) at 11 a.m., and at 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. You do not need a reservation to take a tour unless you have a group of 15 or more.

Parking:
Five designated accessible spaces are dispersed throughout the main lot.

Restrooms:
The restrooms are usable. Route of travel is usable. .

Visitor Center.
Open daily 8:30AM- 4:30AM.

Points of Interest

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Parking Area

There is plenty of parking available. Overflow parking south of Polo Field.

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Trailhead

Take the tree-lined paved service road to the right of the ranch House Lawn up the eastern side of the golf green. Head to the "T" intersection.

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Intersection

Arrive at the Riding Arena and Stables. Head westerly to the end of the arena and keep an eye open for a trail head and the Inspiration Loop Trail.

The initial walk is fairly shaded and forested.

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Inspiration Loop Trail

The Inspiration Loop Trail is a mixed use service road that heads around and up the hill. It will start a moderate upgrade.

Vegetation will open up and start providing views into the surrounding properties. The trail is very popular with locals.

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View Point

A view point and bench looking across the gully below.

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View Point

Rounding the chaparral-covered hill and continuing a moderate upgrade, the trail will come to another viewpoint and bench. This viewpoint overlooks a tree-filled canyon and surrounding estates along Marinette Road. Beyond will be glimpses looking out towards the L.A. beaches.

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Side Trail

A single track side trail heading back toward Ranch House.

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Side Trail

A portion of the single Track Betty Rogers Trail.

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Junction

This junction provides access to the Inspiration Point Trail. We'll come back later. Head on the northerly trail down hill to the left.

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Junction

A trail heading northerly (to the left) deeper into the hills begins as a short downgrade to a large intersection. You’ll encounter two trails. The Backbone Trail is the lower (right hand) trail. The left-hand trail had been closed for vegetation recovery and erosion control.

This trail heads up a canyon. Shortly switchbacks will be encountered with a climb to the ridge's spine.

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Ridge and Views

A junction and wide open views overlooking greater Los Angeles. On a clear day one can see beyond downtown Los Angeles and in the distance, the coastline south to the Palos Verdes peninsula.

There's also a trail out along the ridge-line at this point.

Continue along the ridge-top trail deeper into the hills while gaining altitude. Don’t forget to take a look around and enjoy the vistas up the canyon and back towards the coast and basin.

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Bridge

A bridge along the ridge-line where erosion has undercut the trail. Should you desire a little climb, the next hill just up the trail provides truly expansive vistas.

This trail continues a 7 miles and joins into the Topanga Trail system.

We're using the bridge as a popular turning point. Head back down the grade.

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Return to Junction

Return to junction and WP 10. From here retrace back to the Inspiration Loop Trail, turn southwesterly (right), and head down the hill a short way to the intersection (WP 9) and the trail out to Inspiration Point.

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Inspiration Point

After heading up a short road Inspiration Point is reached. This spot is outfitted with a bench, picnic table and hitching post.

Broad and sweeping clear-day views can be simply amazing and include: Santa Monica Bay down to Palos Verdes, the metropolis, San Gabriel Mountains, and offshore to Catalina Island.

When done, return to the Inspiration Loop Trail and follow the road northeasterly (right).

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Junction

Pass through the junction and bear right as the road continues northeasterly,around the hill and into the next canyon.

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Junction

A narrower road will lead back down to the stables and riding area.

A short way down the road is also an additional single-track trail called the Bone Canyon Trail, should you want a shortcut and the ability to stay off more heavily traveled paved surfaces.

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Park Interpretive Point 12

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Park Interpretive Point 11

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Park Interpretive Point 10

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Park Interpretive Point 9

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Park Interpretive Point 8

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Junction

A short cut-off trail to shorten the looping curve ahead. Stay on the main trail which becomes a gentle down-sloping Eucalyptus lined road.

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Junction

The other end of the cut-off trail.

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Park Interpretive Point 7

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Park Interpretive Point 6

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Park Interpretive Point 3

Park Interpretive Point 3. On the way down the tree-lined road, you’ll get a chance to look down at a portion of the picnic grounds hidden away in a gully at the end of the parking lot.