Local Day Hikes
Water Tank Hike
Contributor: Jim Pierce
This can be short or long hike (the time for walking speed is approx. 2.5 miles per hour). The starting place is a gate at the end of Crenshaw Blvd. on top of PV. Pass the gate and start down the hill on the old Crenshaw Road. This was to be an auto route to the other side of PV but the landslides stopped the extension of the road. Good views of the Catalina channel are off to the right. After 10 minutes of easy hiking, the water tank comes into view. This is a four way intersection, with the left trail going up to the fire station on Crest Dr.
The trail straight ahead goes off into the bush, but the wide trail to the right is the old Crenshaw Road. About 5 minutes down the road from the water tank, there is a trip on the left to Eagles Roost. Six pine trees dominate the skyline with a great view when the 3 minute side trip is done. This is a good picnic site.
Back on the Crenshaw Road (about 2 minutes along) in back of a rock wall, there is a trail to the right which would take you back to the vicinity of the water tank. This is the shortest of the loop hikes and will take about 35 minutes.
From the wall, take the trail to the right as old Crenshaw Road loops back. In 100 yards, the trail straight ahead goes to Jacks Rack, which is a steep trail back to where the cars are parked. Bear left and continue along to a "Y" junction. The left trail goes down to the old Vanderlip Estate. Take the right fork for 2 more minutes (and left around some bushes) and come to a trail junction. The trail straight ahead goes back to the cars by the way of Rattlesnake Trail and up a canyon which can be seen ahead. This is the second of the loop trips and takes about one hour total time.
The left fork is the trail for the longest loop. On the trail, keep to the right on the way up the hill.
The trail crosses two washes and goes steeply uphill to a gate which you can walk around. Turn right and keep the fence on the left. In 100 yards, there is a break in the fence on the left. In another 100 yards, there is a break in the fence. Ignore it and continue on. In 6 minutes, the trail bends left and makes a "U" turn around the fence. You are now on Crest Dr.
Head back to the east. Hike along Crest on the paved path until you get to Crenshaw Blvd. and turn right. The cars will be about 9 minutes along on Crenshaw Blvd. You will pass the upper end of the Rattlesnake Canyon Trail. The total time for this loop is 1.25 hrs. which is about 3 miles. There is about 400 feet of elevation gain.