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Turnbull Canyon
Turnbull Canyon from Skyline Dr.
Highest point
Peak	Skyline Drive
Elevation	242 m (794 ft)
Coordinates	33°59′35″N 118°00′51″W / 33.99306°N 118.01417°W / 33.99306; -118.01417
Geography
Turnbull Canyonlocation of Turnbull Canyon in California
Country	United States
State	California
District	Los Angeles County
Topo map	USGS Whittier, California

Turnbull Canyon near Whittier, California is an east–west canyon with relatively steep drainage. The canyon has a creek at its bottom that supports a narrow strip of riparian woodland dominated by sycamore trees, while the slopes are covered in coastal sage and native and non-native grasses. The Puente Hills Preserve has a 4-mile loop trail that lies in the northern-central part of the preserve.

Climate

The climate in Turnbull Canyon is typical of Southern California, semi-arid. Because the Whittier Hills has a relatively close proximity to the ocean, which has an equalizing effect on the climate, it is somewhat cooler here than some of the areas just south of the region. During the winter months, it is not uncommon to see frost on the ground and during summer, it rarely gets hotter than 95 degrees.

History

Turnbull Canyon was named after Scottish immigrant Robert Turnbull after buying the canyon from Quaker businessmen in Whittier in the 1870s to raise sheep. He later sold the land back to the Quakers in the 1880s for a profit. Turnbull's luck ran out after that; he became a town drunk and was murdered. The Quakers decided to name the canyon after Turnbull in his honor.

Oil exploration and drilling began to expand into Turnbull Canyon in the 1890s and a crude dirt road was constructed through the canyon. In November 1900, two oilmen in their wagon were chased out of the canyon by two large cougars as their horses panicked. By 1913, the road was paved for the first time for automobiles.

Since then, Turnbull Canyon has developed a strange collection of various myths and urban legends, including tragic murders.

Attractions

Turnbull Canyon is known for the view it provides of the Hsi Lai Temple and Rose Hills Memorial Park.

See also

• San Gabriel Valley
• California Floristic Province
• California chaparral and woodlands
• Puente Hills topics

References

1. "Turnbull Canyon". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
2. "Hike Turnbull Canyon in the Puente Hills". Modern Hiker. February 24, 2015.
3. "Trails". Puente Hills Preservation Authority. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
4. "Turnbull Canyon Trail". All Trails - National Geographic. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
5. Hodder, Roland F. "A Report of the Geology of a Portion of the Whittier Hills Between Turnbull and La Habra Canyons" (PDF). Caltech Thesis. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
6. John Garside & Marty Shields. How the Canyon Got Its Name - A Forgotten Tale of Turnbull Canyon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii8KDPMg7Ys
7. John Garside & Marty Shields.Two Whittier Men and their Wild Ride. Forgotten Tales of Turnbull Canyon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IimYfPmP-GE
8. The Quaker Campus. The Ascension to Hell: The Haunted History of Turnbull Canyon (2020). http://thequakercampus.org/campus-life/mystery-of-turnbull-canyon-haunted-gates-of-hell-true-crime/
9. Whittier Daily News. Woman's body found in Turnbull Canyon (March 3, 2011). https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2011/03/03/womans-body-found-in-turnbull-canyon-2/

External links

• Puente Hills Preserve Park Map
• Puente Hills Preserve Park - activities and homepage
• The Puente Hills Preserve: Puente - Chino Hills Wildlife Corridor
• The Puente Hills Preserve: Trails Access info.
• Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority
• Puente Hills Nature Blog (archives)

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