The best walks and hikes in Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park

Watch for a sharp 90 degree turn to the east, which might be easy to miss if walking at night, as the metal aqueduct pipe has become invisible underground where it switches to a buried and closed square concrete channel. Follow the concrete.

Where it meets with the open flowing California Aqueduct the trail turns a sharp 90 degrees straight east to follow the open water to a bridge. Even if it can seem tempting in the heat, life hazard signs warn to not swim in the aqueduct as the water is cold and moves swifly, the banks are too steep and slippery to get back out, and exit ladders are only every 1000 feet (330 meters).

This 8-mile trail winds its way through the park, showcasing a diverse array of beautiful wildflowers along the route. This particular section stands out as the high point of the preserve, featuring elevation gains and offering breathtaking panoramic views.

In this desert cross the two main water supply lines, the nearby piped Mulholland and here the open California Aqueduct, backbone of agriculture in the desert-dry Californian inland areas, and for the thirsty Los Angeles basin.

Even this desert-dry landscape is used for farming, with irrigation and mechanization, some wrecks of which are rusting along the trail.

State park parking is $15 per car. Parking on the main street is free, it takes about 2 x 10 minutes longer walk. Most flowers can be seen in spring from March to April. Otherwise you have a fantastic view over the country.

When you learn about the Los Angeles Aqueduct for the first time, you imagine this water pipe going on for miles and miles. In reality, the stretch along the PCT where you actually walk on or next to the pipe is pretty short. If you don't want to stumble over the pipe in the dark of the night, you can also hike on the road right next to it.

For a short segment the PCT joins the right bank of the California Aqueduct, which brings water in an open channel to Southern California, mostly for irrigation. This section of the PCT cuts through what looks like desert but is actually a working cattle farm. This is roughly in the middle of the 233 miles-long aqueduct. The aqueduct’s construction began in late 1907, and the first waters from it flowed into Los Angeles on November 5, 1913, six years later. It has no pumps for lifting water over hills or mountains; it is a 100% gravity powered water delivery system– the longest in the world. A detailed historical writup is at https://www.californiadroughtupdate.org/william-mulholland-and-the-building-of-the-los-angeles-aqueduct