TRAIL NAME: Griffith Park – Merry Go Round to Amir’s Garden, Bee Rock, Vista View Point (Helipad), to 5-Points loop
HIKE DATE: Sunday, October 27, 2019
MEETING TIME: 7:30 am – 7:45 am
(We will meet as noted above and leave the trail head promptly at 7:45 am)
Return Approx: 12:30 pm
HIKE LEAD: Sylvia Quinteros
HIKE LEVEL: Level 5 – (Moderate workout with uphill sections)
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: 7 miles loop (Approx.)
HIKE DURATION: 3.5 Hours (Approx.)
MEETING PLACE:
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round Parking Lot #1
** We will gather by the purple fire hydrant, in the corner area of the parking lot. **
(The following address is the closest address to the Merry Go Round area)
4668 Crystal Springs Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027
DIRECT LINK: https://goo.gl/maps/UWXChzKwDPP2
TRAIL WALKTHROUGH: This trail will start the 7-mile hike at the Merry-Go-Round Parking Lot 1 area. We’ll venture Northwest and head uphill. There will be some small hills (about 2 are a bit steep) and the most the rest of the trail is quite leveled. 1/2 a mile before we reach Amir’s Garden, we’ll be going up a hill that will be a work out, but most of our hikers take it their own pace and do great. We’ll take plenty of water and breather breaks so everyone get an opportunity to keep up and keep hydrated. There we can admire all the surrounding plants that have been grown there along with plenty of shade and benches for a bit then continue on to our next point. From the garden, we’ll have some good uphill sections for about a 2/3 of a mile along the North Trail. We’ll then reach the Villa Del Valle Drive. This will be a flat concrete road with an easy walkable road for about another 2/3 miles and go down a few steps until we reach the Bee Rock area. Here, we’ll get to admire a view of the park from this hike cliff. It is surrounded by a fence that helps keep visitors from going down the steep sides. After our visit there, we’ll get back Villa Del Valle Drive and continue on the flat road for about 1.8 miles until we get to Vista View Point (aka the Helipad). From here we’ll get a grand view of the Los Angeles Skyline and surrounding cities area. After a few pictures, we’ll continue on remainder of the the road, about a 1/2 mile flat and down hill to 5-Points junction. This area is named after the 5 different trails that meet at this point. We’ll take the trail that will take us down for about 1 mile back to the parking to complete the loop.
RESTROOMS: Restrooms are available next to the Merry Go Round. We suggest you go prior to the meeting time. There will be no other restrooms along the way.
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. Please note, that we have expectations for level 5 hikers.
REQUIRED: Water is required for all of our hikes. We recommend at least 2 to 3 liters of water (or 5 small bottles of water) for this hike. Some hiking experience.
RECOMMENDED: Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip. Comfortable cross training or any other type of sport/recreation shoes should be fine for this hike. Bring sunblock and snacks to have at the half way point. A hat will keep the sun out of your eyes. Hiking poles will help with uphill sections.
DOG-FRIENDLY?: Yes, this trail is okay for friendly dogs. However, dogs MUST be on a leash at all times.
INFORMATION PAGES:
PARKING: Free.
GETTING THERE:
FROM L.A. – 5 FWY NORTH:
Take the Griffith Park exit (this is right after the Los Feliz exit). At the exit, make a right on Cyrstal Springs. Continue until you see the next available left turn (you’ll see a sign that says Merry Go Round). Go up and you’ll reach what looks like a dead end but if you turn right, you’ll see the big parking lot.
Less Traffic via:
605 North > 60 West or 105 West> 710 North >10 West > 5 North > take the Griffith Park exit (after Los Feliz)
FROM BURBANK – 5 FWY SOUTH:
Take the Los Feliz exit (which is after the Colorado exit). At the exit, stay on your left and make a left on to Los Feliz West. Next, take the first available right into the Park (this will be Crystal Springs Blvd). Continue past the first few stops until you see the next available left turn (you’ll see a sign that says Merry Go Round). Go up and you’ll reach what looks like a dead end but if you turn right, you’ll see the big parking lot.
Alternate Route (From Burbank using Zoo Dr.):
South on Alameda Blvd > Right on Victory Blvd > Go over 134 fwy > Make a left on on Zoo Dr > Continue past the Zoo, the Autry Museum (you’ll be making a zig zag after this), Golf Course (on left-hand side), Pass the first right turn > make a right at the second second stop sign > make a right into Parking Lot #1.
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/Participa