For beginner hikers looking to take their hike to the next-level, or if you're curious about the how-to's of thru-hiking, then this trek might be just what you're looking for.
We meet at the "end point" of the hike.
Take a rideshare to the "begin point"
Then, thru-hike Griffith Park from the far Western side, in Studio City, traversing 7 peaks as we make it back to the "end" (where we started) on the Hollywood side.
Where and When
– We will be meeting at The Trails Cafe inside Griffith Park.
– Park anywhere you can find parking on the street around the cafe.
– Parking is free.
– Dogs are welcome.
– Family-friendly
– If parking is scarce, head up the road about 1/8th mile to a large parking lot.
– The cafe’s address is 2333 Fern Dell Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90068
(see map below)
– The cafe is open every day at 8am
– They sell coffee, cakes, muffins, cold drinks, fruit, etc.
– They accept cash, credit and debit cards.
– There’s picnic tables around the side of the cafe where the rest of the party will likely be found.
– There’s porta-potties across the street at the playground
– Sorry, No facilities at our “begin” trail head or along the hike route.
Thru-Hike Details
This is a “Moderate Level, ~ 3 hour hike over single-track trails and wide dirt roads, with a couple steep-ish sections that will get the cardio going and the blood sugar burning.
This 5 mile (8.5KM) trail takes hikers over and around 7 peaks around Griffith Park, including: Burbank Peak, Cahuenga Peak, Mt. Lee, Mt. Chapel, Mt. Bell, Baby Bell, Mt. Hollywood. There are a number of trails which split off, most trails have signs, and many trails split off and re-connect, so there’s plenty of opportunities to branch off and explore the trails.
DIFFICULTY:
Moderate / Intermediate
DISTANCE:
About 5.3 miles (8.5km)
TIME:
3 hr
ELEVATION GAIN:
1335′ (406M)
Begin Ascent Route:
– Tree of Life Trail (900’ gain, 1 mile, 30 minutes)
Ridge 1:
– Mount Hollywood Trail
(Additional 600’ gain, 1.3 miles, 45 minutes)
Ridge 2:
– Mt Chapel Trail up to Mt. Hollywood (300’ gain, 1 mile, 35 minutes)
Descent Route:
– West Observatory Trail
Our Logistics plan:
will have the hikers meet at the “END” point of the hike “The Trails Café” in Los Feliz, and pick up a ride share or carpool around to the “START” point of the hike at the Wonder View Trail head about 4 miles away.
Our hike plan:
will follow the “Tree of Life” Trail up about 900’ to the Wisdom Tree on Burbank Peak. This will be the steepest and most physically demanding part of our thru-hike. From there, we will continue over Cahuenga peak and across the ridge to Mt. Lee (behind the Hollywood Sign)
Plenty of photo opportunities along the way, so don’t forget the camera!
Our trail route:
continues a 1/4 mile down a paved section of Mt Lee Dr. until we pick up the Mt Chapel trail, a single-track where we have opportunities to bag even more peaks if we choose. After passing Mt Chapel, we will be on wide dirt roads for the remainder of the thru-hike, passing by Mt. Bell and Baby Bell and Taco Peak before arriving at the spectacular overlook on Mt. Hollywood.
Our descent:
begins here as we follow the popular tourist treks down to the Griffith Observatory and onward down the west observatory trail and eventually ending at the Trails Cafe once again.
What to Bring
GEAR:
Footwear:
– Trail Runners (PERFECT)
– Road Running shoes (GREAT)
– Hiking Boots (GOOD)
– Light-Mid weight socks
Sun Protection:
– Hat (cap or wide brim hat)
– Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna (optional)
– Sunglasses
Pocket Calories:
– Trail treats… (Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt)
– Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Tic Tacs
Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … you might get sweaty
– Shorts (or convertible hiking pants)
Trekking Poles:
– Not a requirement,
(helpful on steep sections and descent)
Glucose Monitoring:
– Glucose meter + strips
– CGM
(Some trusted method to check blood glucose)
Insulin:
– your usual insulin delivery system
(Pump, MDI, Inhalables)
– BackUp insulin delivery (Syringe/Vial)
(Some trusted backup insulin in case your tech fails)
PACK:
Capacity/Size:
– Small…13 liter to 20 liter capacity will be fine. (Any larger will be overkill)
– A running vest also works if you want to go fast and light (just minimize contents to bare minimum)
Water:
– 1 liter of water. (but no more than 1.5 liters… it will be too heavy for this hike)
– A 20oz bottle of Gatorade (full sugar) can take care of most your water and glucose needs.
Food:
– Bring a light snack like an apple or a granola bar.
– Trail Snacks (like trail mix or cookies)
– Pack a couple extra emergency glucose items, like gels, glucose tabs, or candy that won’t melt in your pack. You might need this on the beginning section.
Clothing:
– Something you can shed along the way
– light weight long sleeve (in case it’s cold and windy)
– Shorts will be fine
– Jeans will be fine (but might get sweaty in the beginning)
After observing the weather situation in Fern Dell, we will be able to make all the clothing decisions at the meet up place before the hike.
Other Pack Optional Items:
– Camera
– backup Glucose meter + strips
– backup CGM
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit (small)
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Emergency glucose
Snapshots
Other Stuff:
Minimal Impact / LNT:
We will be traveling in an urban/green space ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Emergency Communicator/Beacon
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
