TRAIL NAME: Griffith Park Hike Starting from Lot G (connects to Lot F) (Greek Theatre)
HIKE DATE: Wednesday, March 11, 2020
MEETING TIME: 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Return (Approx): 9:30 pm
HIKE LEAD: Jason Bazalar
HIKE LEVEL: Level 3 – (Easier level night hike, great for Beginners and first time night hikers, fun for regulars)
HIKE LEVEL: Level 4 – (Mild level night hike, okay for first time night hikers, great for regulars)
HIKE LEVEL: Level 5 – (Moderate level night hike, some hiking experience preferred)
WHAT IS A HIKING LEVEL?:
Find out more about hiking levels here:
http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/
HIKE RSVP:
https://www.facebook.com/latrailhikers/events
HIKE DISTANCE: 3 to 4.5 miles round trip (Approx. – depending on the trail)
HIKE DURATION: 2 Hours (Approx.)
MEETING PLACE:
Parking Lot “G” (on the left just after you pass the Greek Theater)
Coordinates: 34.121547,-118.297123
Closest Physical Address:
2700 North Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(Note: that this parking lot is not lit at night)
PARKING FEE: None, the park offers free parking. Consider getting there early as the lot now gets full quickly and to account for traffic congestion on Los Feliz Blvd (and not to mention Freeway slow downs).
Wednesday Night Traffic: Please account for traffic on your way to the park. There is always congestion on the 5 fwy and on Los Feliz, so please plan ahead. Remember, getting there a few mins early might even help you score a good parking spot.
PARKING NOTE: Get there early, for better parking. If Lot G is taken, park further south, and then walk up to Parking Lot G.
The Vermont Ave side has a visible increase in parking spots being taken up by tourists at Parking Lot G (next to the Greek Theatre). Although there was plenty of parking, it’s always recommended to come early to get a better spot so you don’t park too far away from where we are meeting. Should the parking lot be full by the time you get there, simply park across the street or further south and walk back up to Parking Lot G. We’ll see you Wednesday!
TRAIL WALK-THROUGH: Please note that Parking Lot G is the meeting point and we take a variety of starting points from here. The actual trail is decided at meeting time. We usually go up to peaks which will give us a great view of the Los Angeles basin and/or some of the Burbank/Glendale area. Depending on the trail sections we take, we may encounter different levels of uphill incline. The rest of the trail will go in an impromptu format until we head back to the parking lot. These hikes are intended to be a workout, so please expect to get good exercise. Here are few trail sets we may go on from here:
- Mt. Hollywood Peak (aka Dante’s Peak) via the Bird Sanctuary – (Level 4, or 5) – A great workout hike up to Dante’s Peak up some inclined trails that run up beside Mt. Hollywood. The trail begins with quick gain going along the Bird Sanctuary area. We’ll then go via the easier route to Dante’s View, a garden at Griffith Park, or via a more uphill gained Captain’s Roost trail. We’ll get to the top and enjoy a great view of LA and surrounding city lights from the peak. The goal is to touch the green pole at the top of Mt. Hollywood. Then we’ll head all down hill from there back to the parking lot.
- Mt. Hollywood Peak (aka Dante’s Peak) via East Ridge “Hogback” trail – (Level 5)- A steeper uphill workout that starts on a flat Riverside Trail. This trail starts with a short steep hill that gains 40 feet. The Riverside Trail is pretty much flat with some soft rolling hill sections. At the end of this trail section, we’ll encounter an uphill section to the Glendale trail. From here we will gain 200 feet. The Glendale Peak trail is uphill and gains 140 feet. As we get to the bridge to the Hogback trail, we will pass a blue-colored “Henry’s Trail” sign. We’ll go across the bridge and start our steep incline up the Hogback’s main section. After about a 1/2 mile of steep uphill, we get to Dante’s View (a garden on the east of Mt. Hollywood). Along this trail, we will be taking some breaks to rest and let the remainder of the group catch up. We will have gained about 350 feet. From the garden break point, we’ll continue to head up to Dante’s peak with a gain of 125 feet. We’ll take our primary break at the top and enjoy the 360-degree view of Downtown LA, Burbank, Glendale, and surrounding cities. The way down will take us down either side of the peak back to get to the Bird Sanctuary trail that leads back to the parking lot. The goal is to touch the green pole at the top of Mt. Hollywood.
- Cedar Grove to Helipad Overlook– (Level 3/4) – A small green grove of cedar trees that gives you the feeling of being out in a small green (dark, when night falls earlier) forest. We will take the Riverside Trail and take a small section of Commonwealth Canyon Dr. to get us to the wide fire road that leads us to Cedar Grove. We’ll stop to go inside the grove and then continue upward. We will continue to (Optional Route: go down a trail that leads us to 5-points) and then head back up one of the other trails to get us back up to Vista View Point, aka The Helipad Overlook. We’ll take the Riverside trail back down to the parking lot.
- Glendale Peak – (Level 4 or 5)- A view of the city from one of the great peaks in Griffith Park. We’ll take the complete Riverside Trail until we get to and take a section of the East Ridge trail that will take us to the “Henry’s Trail” sign. We do not cross the bridge but instead go up a path indicated by the arrow on the sign all the way to the end, Glendale Peak. We follow the same path back down to the parking lot with a possible visit to Vista View Point (aka The Helipad Overlook)
- Griffith Observatory 360 (Only during spring & summer) – (Level 5) – A fascinating connection of trails that go around the Griffith Observatory and give you a full circle view of it as we go along. Includes: Trailhead switchbacks, many leveled trail sections, wide paths down and up around the south side of Griffith Park, a section where the trail has a good steady incline to the midway point, and either a trip up halfways to Mt. Hollywood to the Sanctuary trail that winds down to the parking lot OR a trail down the east side of the Observatory that loops back to to the starting trail.
WATER REQUIRED. WATER CHECK WILL BE PERFORMED. If you do not take enough water or are not appropriately equipped for this hike, you will be turned away from doing this hike with us even if you show up. Hydration packs are great for such water necessities. Please note, that we have expectations for evening hikers. Read all the details.
REQUIREMENTS: WATER, 1 to 2 Liters of water OR about two to three 20oz bottles of water. Comfortable hiking/sports shoes with good grip.
RECOMMENDED: If you plan on bringing a flashlight, please bring a low beam Red, Green, or Blue (LED) light. Dress warmly/appropriately as it can be quite chilly at night. We recommend dressing in easily removable layers of clothes. Hiking sticks/poles help you go uphill and keep you balanced when going downhill. Bug repellent helps on days that may have bugs. It’s good to keep it handy even if you don’t use it on this particular hike.
NIGHT TIME HIKING ESSENTIALS:
– Water (and additional water during hot weather) 1 – 3 liters
– Comfortable Shoes with grip or hiking shoes/boots for better traction.
– A low beam flashlight (you don’t want to blind other hikers or take away from their night hike experience)
– A backpack or hydration pack to put all your things in.
– Clothing Layers so you can easily remove or add them depending on the weather.
– Bring a good sized snack (PB&J sandwich, fruit, or any other quick eats) for your primary break point.
COLD SEASON: Bring layers of hiking attire to keep warm, but also able to remove as needed since you may get warm once you start hiking. Long sleeve layers are great. Gloves keep your hands warm and a hat/beanie to keep your head warm.
HOT SEASON: Bring additional water as you’ll consume more with all the heat. Bring light clothes, and possibly a small towel to keep dry off face sweat. Pack lightly, but keep essentials.
RESTROOMS: There are no restrooms along the way, so please make sure you take care of any needs prior to the meeting time. Also, this is not an excuse not to bring water. It is required for all our hikes.
DOG-FRIENDLY?: Yes, but must be on a leash at all times.
– Your dog should be friendly and have plenty of experience to hike alongside other dogs and hikers.
– Bring your dog it’s own water, along with a tray for it to drink from.
– You are responsible for keeping your pet safe and with you at all times.
– Bring a baggy to pick up after your dog. Your dog’s business is your responsibility.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE WITH THE GROUP ON THIS HIKE?
1. Read the Hike’s Details we link at the very top of this page.
2. Make sure that the Hike Level accommodates your hiking experience.
3. If, and only if it suits you, then RSVP for this event and show up the day of the hike with all necessary gear and water (we mention everything you need on the details page for this hike).
MY FRIEND SAID I CAN DO THIS HIKE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT, RIGHT?
We take your safety quite seriously, and would not like for you to attend a hike you’re not ready for. You know your body and hiking experience better than your friends. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced hiker, please read our hike details page as the hike may not suit your experience level. We have a better experience if every hike has hikers of the intended level.
DISCLAIMER: LA Trail Hikers and its Leads/Organizers/Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attending,” or attending the hike, you confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and will not hold any hike lead/organizer, participant, LA Trail Hikers, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being. Additionally, you will not be allowed to participate with the group if you are not adequately prepared with enough water and the right gear/equipment/nutrition essential to complete the hike. You are fully responsible for yourself.