Ben Overturff Trail

Wow, I was surprised how tough this trail was! And this from someone who has recently done Mt. Wilson, San Gorgonio and Baldy from the Village!
I’ve only done the Bill Cull trail to the waterfall which is fairly easy. So maybe it gave me a false impression this would be just as easy and gentle. The uphill steep sections seemed never-​ending. But it’s good practice in mental toughness, continuing despite discomfort.
You can take the easier, less scenic option of the road which I’ll probably do for the downhill descent to save my knees.

This hike is about 6.5−7 miles roundtrip, depending on the chosen route. I was not expecting that this would be a tough hike most of the way to the destination point. It is a great leg and butt workout, as it is steep much of the way there. Definitely go if you want a great lower body challenge!
The start of the hike is on a paved fire road, completely exposed to the sun, and it is steep from the get-​go. Once you’ve gone about 1 mile, you will see the sign and entrance for the Trask Boy Scout Camp. Look right and you will see an unshaded, wide, dirt trail going up (see photo). Take it. At the end of this part of the trail, you will have a choice to go through pilasters on a narrow path or straight past the gate on the same wide dirt road (see photo).
If you want more intense climbing, take the narrow trail. It is deceiving, but it it pretty tough Most of the way is steep climbing. I really thought it would never end… The trail is pretty through wooded trees and a stream and has dappled shade. The end point is Deer Park Cabin, which is not much to look at and is the site of cabin ruins.
If you want a less strenous hike but still uphill, continue on the dirt road till you get to your destination. I took this way back — it’s much less scenic and more exposed to the sun. But it saved my knees from going down that very steep climb. This choice is 0.4 miles longer than taking the steep hike.
parking — there is a fee ($ 5 weekdays, $ 6 wknds and holidays). If you want to avoid the fee, then park in the residential area about ½ mile away and walk in. The walk will be in direct sun until you reach the trail.
tip — this trail connects close to the starting point of the Monrovia Canyon Park waterfall trail, so you can warm up or cool down by hiking to/​from the waterfall.

NICE ROAD WITH A DOG
(just bring water!)
Road!!! Isn’t this a trail? Well, there are really 2 options on this side of Monrovia Canyon Park (which is $ 5 parking and dog friendly). Both options actually start up a blacktop road which goes up to the Boy Scouts’ Camp Trask. At that point, the road become well graded dirt and you keep climbing.
The gain is not super steep, but quite a steady climb the whole way. After another while, you come to the actual Ben Overturff trailhead, and a gate blocking the dirt road to vehicles (but you can just walk around it).
The Overturff trail goes more along the canyon bottom but not necessarily next to the stream-​my memory is hazy about that. The dirt road is usually about 100 feet higher, and there is not any very safe way to get down to the trail until much further up the road, where they intersect.
Either the trail or the road is easy for a dog, as even at 2pm today on the blacktop portion there were pools of shade and the pavement not too too hot. Midsummer late afternoon could be another story-​might be too hot for pet paws. However, you need to take water and a bowl. On the paved and dirt road, there is NO accessible water except down by the parking area. I don’t recall much water access on the Overturff trail either.
I’m putting good with kids because the gain is not super steep. However, small kids may find it tiring if they are not active because the climb is steadily up and up and up. The other hike, to the waterfall, is probably better for the little ones.

BEN OVER WHAT???
Ben Overturff Trail
BACKGROUND:
Monrovia Canyon Park is an 80-​acre wilderness park hosting great diversity inherent to this region, including riparian, oak woodland, and chaparrel ecosystems. The Ben Overturff Trail is named for a historical Monrovian who made these canyons and Deer Park a popular recreation area in the early 1900s. The reconstructed trail follows the original path as much as possible through Sawpit, Sycamore and Twin Springs canyons. It winds through approximately 3.5 miles of some of the most beautiful and undisturbed wilderness left in the San Gabriel mountains.
STATS:
DISTANCE: 3.5−7.5 miles
ELEVATION: 2,000ft.
FREE parking ½ walk from trail head
PAID Parking $ 5.00 inside the park
ESSENTIALS:
Hiking shoes with good lug soles
Water
Layered clothing
Hiking Poles
Snacks
Camera
Sun screen
Hat (optional)
THE HIKE:
From the park entrance station, the first half of the hike was up the Sawpit Fire Road to the Deer Park Trail Head. This is one of my favorite trail-​ish hikes. While it’s a lot of trail, along the way are pretty much destroyed structures, a stone cabin and a stable for the mules that were used to care food and supplies for campers. Unfortunately the cabin was purposely destroyed due to vandals. I find it most interesting when I come across what use to be. Imagining how people lived, what they did, tools that they used in their daily lives.
Continuing on from the remnants of the cabin we were able to do some rock scrambling, where we pulled up a boulder and grubbed on snacks while engaging in idle chit chat. Then the trek up Deer Park Trail, a long, grueling uphill ascent on an exposed trail. Along the way we took moments out to take in the breathtaking views of the canyon below. All the greenery and signs of stream really makes one appreciate nature in all her glory.
The return half of the trail passes thru riparian and woodland habitats. From there we hiked to Monrovia Canyon Waterfall, which was about an additional 2 miles round trip. Due to lack of rain, the waterfall was more of a trickle, but still magnificent.
Since one can always turn back, this is hike ranges from beginner to advanced, where the beginner can hike to the stone cabin and the advanced can go all the way to the top of Deer Park.
DISCLAIMER:
Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-​threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up. #HIKING #MONROVIA #BEGINNER #INTERMEDIATE #ADVANCED

Great Hike! Been hiking on this trail for the past month and half and the hike just gets easier and easier. Love the view from above. One day, don’t know when yet, but one day I shall have my romantic picnic above the mountains with out looking a mess. hahaha! Love the incline though. The incline MAY be tough, but after you get yourself used to the inclines, it becomes a breeze.

Parking: 5 buckaroos to park here. The reason for this is because it’s a private park, which closes at 5. If you want to pay nothing or cheap like me (asian), just park in the residential and treck up a mile and half before you reach to a sign that has a bear on it. From there you take the Ben Overturff Trail to get to your destination. 7 mile hike out and back! You can do it!
Restrooms… oh yeah, there are restrooms for you to use! If you want to be one with nature, you can tinkle and do your other stuff further into the forest. out of sight, out of mind.
3 months ago, I signed up with a meetup group that went on a hike to deer park, I came late, so I trecked this trail by myself and met them up at the deer park cabin. I thought the hike was beautiful and was a fairly easy hike. Kind of brought back memories of my boy scout days, going to camp trask. For the first part of the hike, you would have to share the fire road with the cars that are going in and out of camp trask. Usually on the weekends, there are boy scouts camping over night there. As you go further of the Ben Overturff trail, you see fewer people and eventually… you’ll be faced with nature itself. :)
Eventually, you will see two pillars. This will give you a sign that the hike to deer park is going to be a single file hike through the forest. You’ll meet switchbacks, but it’s nothing to get scared of. Just going to be sore the next day.
Recommend ya’ll to come to this hike. When I have time, I’ll go see the falls. I think it’s only 3 miles out and back.
Cheers and beeers ya’ll!

I love this nice hike. I usually park in the neighborhood to add to my hike and avoid the $ 5 parking fee. this is some real good exercise. one time i actually did this hike first then came down and continued to the waterfall! omg! i was ready to die…

I am writing this as I contemplate cutting off my legs just to get rid of the pain. This trail is definitely not for the faint of heart or if you are really out of shape. It took us about 4 hours round trip to finish this 7 miles hike (7.5 for us because we took a wrong turn once).
There is plenty of parking in the neighborhood below so park on the street and walk up. You can save $ 5 easily that way. It is a short walk and just look at it as part of your work out.
There are a few trails you can choose from. They have plenty of free maps at the ranger station and there is always a ranger there to answer questions. It gets a little confusing because there are many forks so it’s super important to take a map. Most people choose one of the easier hikes like the one leading to the waterfalls so the Ben Overturff Trail is really quiet and there won’t be a lot of people to ask directions from.
We went up about a mile and a half of paved road before hitting the trail head. The entrance has a bear sign to it but it doesn’t say Ben Overturff. We later learned the hard way that the bear sign isn’t just there to be cute. There are actually bears roaming this area and we ran into one. Luckily it just walked close to us looking for things to eat on the ground then walked off on its own a while later. My advice is stay calm, be quiet, don’t run, and give the bear some space. Don’t bring food unless it’s a wrapped granola bar or a ziplock bag of nuts. You don’t want the bear to attack you for food.
We also ran into many deers and insects along the way. We even heard the rattling on a rattlesnake and saw a red velvet wasp that is famous for being able to kill a cow with one sting. Wear long pants and be very alert at your surroundings.
The Ben Overturff Trail is a dirt trail that goes deep into the mountain. There are many streams and mini waterfalls inside and tons of shade with huge trees so it doesn’t get too hot. The trail does get really steep at certain points and is an intense workout. The view and quietness of nature definitely makes this trek worthwhile. We were the only ones on the trail most of the time and saw a few baby deers, many squirrels, blue dragonflies and a lot of butterflies. We also could touch several streams and mini waterfalls.
There are several bathrooms on the trail but the higher up you go, the most disgusting and less frequently cleaned they seem to be. I would recommend using the one down at the ranger station.

This is the trail that is in the Monrovia Canyon Park. The troopers will charge you $ 5.oo to park. They make that pretty obvious all over the place. Honestly, are you here for a workout? Are you here to burn calories? They don’t waste $ 5.00 to park your car. Just park on the bottom in the residential area and hike up. You can use that $ 5.00 on a treat afterward.
Today, as I’m writing this review my calves are sore! I’m not too sure how long the hike was. When you hike up it’s not a very hiker friendly trail. However when you get into Ben Overturff Trail there is a passage way for you to utilize. I would say this trail is man made. I say this because you don’t have to really figure out how to hike it. There’s signs and clear cut passages. Even when you cross the little water stream, you wont get wet if your feet is correctly on the big rocks.
The trail is very relaxing however it’s pretty much all uphill. so be prepared to be tired and out of breath! You’ll get to see a small waterfall which is always worth it in the end of any trail. Near the waterfall there will be lots of bees. Not quite sure why. The passage uphill is narrow so make sure you share the passage because there will be people going down and up and you gotta get close to the hill or else you’ll fall over and off the cliff.
The park closes at 5pm. Make sure you wear appropriate hiking gear. There’s about 2 bathrooms on the trail. Bring plenty of water because hiking up is going to be a thirst quencher!

4 stars only because of the paved road, it lasts too long. This is a beautiful, mostly shady trail but pretty steep. The details provided on this trail in previous reviews were perfect, I may have takin a wrong turn though because this hike was a 7 mile round trip ass kicker!
Very peaceful, many streams but I don’t think we saw the waterfall, there were streams of water but they didn’t look like waterfalls.
Great 3 hour hike, 5 bucks to park.

This is a nice trail, well maintained and a lot of great terrain. Continuously uphill from Monrovia Canyon Park to Deer Park Lodge, with a few steep sections that will make you sweat. Very scenic with a mix of lush riparian canyon forest and chapparral. A few city views, but this one is more about the hike itself than any particular overlook.
Took the trail up and the fire road down. Saw maybe about 20 people on a Saturday, not solitude but not too crowded. Good trail, will be back.
Dinging it one star because the first (and last) mile or so is on paved road. A lot of crazy drivers coming up and down, who don’t care too much to look out for hikers. Had to keep the dog on a really short leash because of it. I wish Monrovia park service would find a way to build a trail from the park up to the Ben Overturff Trailhead, rather than making you go on paved road. Other than this one issue, it was a good trail.

This is a very.. . very beautiful hike.
It’s not too hard… If you’re usually active it should be easy. But even if you’re not, you should be able to do this as well.
The road was easy to walk on. There weren’t too many dips where you’d stumble and fall. You weren’t walking near cliff edges where there’s nothing but a drop below you. Most of the ground was dirt and grass. Very springy.
The view was nice. You wouldn’t even know you were in LA. You’d think you were some place nice like Sequoia.
I would come back here!

i’m an avid hiker but this was a trail i had never heard about until last week thanks to the pasadena hiker pacers. there are so many great things about this trail and the first is the history behind it.
this trail was designed when ben overtuff, a monrovia city contractor, leased the area now known as deer park around 1907. he built a lodge at deer park and used it as a tourist location. for 25 cents you could stay for a weekend that included food and lodge. unfortunately due to floods and ben’s old age the lodge was left abandoned and after many years and misuse by vandals the lodge was disassembled. however some of the ruins still prevail to this day.
the trail starts past the monvoria canyon park following the service road. about a mile uphill on the service road the trailhead appears. look for two small stone towers to the left of the road. from there it is about 3.5 miles of beautiful woods and river crossings. there are some good uphills to get your cardio going as well. very well kept and maintained trail. at the end of the 3.5 miles you come to deer park and the ben overtuff lodge ruins. excellent place to walk around and explore. from there you will see a sign that says restrooms. it is the same direction that will take you back to the service road you were once on and this service road will take you back to monrovia canyon park if you don’t feel like going back the same way you came from.
there are some exposed areas but overall you get good protection from the sun. keep an eye for snakes and ticks and most importantly, bring plenty of water! oh and don’t forget your camera. enjoy!