Nike Hill — Attraction in Rose Hills

Another reviewer mentioned wanting to know the history behind the name "Nike Hill". This site isn't named after a shoe company, though there is a connection. Both the shoe company and a Bell Labs missile project were named after Nike, the Greek goddess of VICTORY. During the Cold War, Los Angeles had 16 missile sites in ring surrounding the city with surface-to-air Nike-Ajax missiles to protect LA inhabitants from aerial threats. Most of these historic sites are on high topped hills like this one.

However, this hill was actually NOT the site of one of these missile pads. The LA-14 site (El Monte/Whittier Narrows) was located adjacent to the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, near where a US Army Reserve station is now (Potrero Ave/Lerma Rd). Other documents say it was a little closer– off Workman Mill Rd, near the site of the Rio Hondo athletic fields.

Either way, most documents agree that there was a guard house and plaque that were relocated here as a COMMEMORATIVE MISSILE SITE for both LA-14 (El Monte) and LA-29 (Brea/Rowland Heights; just west of the 57 FWY). Not sure when the relocation was done, but probably in the late 70s when most sites were demolished. An undated photo can be found in this review.

In 2009 it was evaluated and determined to be NOT eligible for protection from the California Register of Historical Resources. As of 2009, it was listed as "not affected" by landfill operations, but sat in an "engineered landfill slope and an area with natural slopes". It seems still present as of 2017, see if you can find it. The Puente Hills Landfill (closed in 2013 as the largest landfill in the country) will slowly (over the next 20-70 years) be turned into a large park. Nike Hill will be a major lookout and the master plan for the project notates possible interpretive panels detailing the history of this site, which would help inform more folks about this...

I'll give you my tips for 4 different hiking routes starting from the same trailhead. You can thank me later.

Nike Hill is one of the best places in the area for hiking mainly because you can hike 24/7 here and you get to see some amazing views, it's also a great place to see sunset! I've seen people hike here as early as 5am and as late as 9pm. You have several hiking options, the most popular route is the round trip hike to the top of Nike Hills (about 4 miles/1.5 hours), but you can make it a 7 miles hike if you continue to the Turnbull Canyon Water Tower in Hacienda Hills and return.

Additionally, there are also two loop hikes you can try which are recommended for advanced hikers; the first loop is to make it to the top of Nike Hill then keep going downhill for 7-8 mins, when you get to the flat area (Skyline Trail) pay attention to the fence on your right, when you see an opening or loose gate, just go across the fence to enter into Rose Hills territory, then make your way to the Rose Hills entrance (you may need to use Google map for guidance). exit out and walk along Workman Mill Rd for a few mins back to the original trailhead parking lot. This loop hike takes about 2 hours. The 2nd loop is the longest, basically you hike to Nike Hill and continue to Turnbull Canyon Water Tower, then keep going along Side Fire Rd - Tank Fire Rd - Sycamore Switchback Trail and make your way to Sycamore Canyon trailhead (keep in mind the trailhead gate here closes at 5pm or 6pm), then walk along Workman Mills Rd for about 15-20 mins to return to the Nike Hill trailhead parking lot, this loop hike takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. Both loop hikes mentioned above are fun and challenging. If you don't have the time you can just do the regular hike to the top of Nike Hills and return, which is what most people do and still a great...

Great hike and run to get me for ready Ragnar. I've been here several times and never had my car broken into until the last time my car and somebody's else's car got broken into. For everyone that goes try to park in spots closes to the trail and keep an eye out for any suspicious cars. Somebody saw and old 90s civic black matte paint with a wing and hispanic guy with tattoos around my car and take off that day it was broken into and also been reports off a white civic with and lady and American man...