West Side Story - Mt. Lee via Burbank and Cahuenga Peaks

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/a/6/8/event_95294952.jpeg

We’re having triplets!

Col. Griffith J. Griffith is the father, and the gestation period is miraculously short . . . in just a few weeks!

We’ve visited these peaks from the east before, via Mt. Lee, but this time we’ll ascend via the west side for an entirely new perspective. This is the section of the Park that made headlines a few years back with the “Save the Peak” rally. Howard Hughes’s estate sold the land to a developer, who then put the parcel up for sale. The Trust for Public Land led a public fundraising effort to buy the 138 acres and was successful in making it a permanent part of Griffith Park.

We’ll warm up while walking up Wonder View to the trailhead. Then it’s a steep – but short – ascent up to Burbank Peak, home of the picture-perfect lone pine, aka “Wisdom Tree” or “Magic Tree.” Then it’s east along the ridgeline to Mt. Cahuenga, which, at 1,820 ft., is the highest point in the Hollywood Hills. From there we’ll continue on a fun, roller coaster-y trail to Mt. Lee with its gorgeous views of the Hollywood Reservoir and the backside of the sign. This is our halfway point and we’ll pause for some pictures, but probably hold off on our snack ‘n chat break until we’re back at Burbank Peak for a much lovelier rest stop before heading back down to our cars.

We’ll play it by ear, but if anyone wants to do a flat lap around the Reservoir, we may offer that as an option at the end.

While you’re in the ‘hood, the historic Campo de Cahuenga (http://www.campodecahuenga.com/) is open for tours the first Saturday of each month (e.g., March 3) from noon – 4 pm. The Treaty of Cahuenga was signed here in 1847, ending hostilities between Mexico and the U.S. Seems like we’ve been in a hurry from the start, as just two years later – without first becoming a U.S. territory – California was fast-tracked into the Union. It’s just a few miles north of our starting point, across from Universal Studios at 3919 Lankershim Blvd. (http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=3501+Wonder+View+Dr,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90068&daddr=3919+Lankershim+Boulevard,+Los+Angeles,+CA&hl=en&sll=34.136797,-118.354661&sspn=0.008028,0.01811&geocode=FcrQCAIdzU7y-Cn9DCc-r7_CgDGS6sPsV2XNYA%3BFWLuCAIdOfHx-Cn7WUBsR77CgDE1IMQQNc6P2Q&oq=3501+W&mra=ls&t=m&z=15)

Rain Saturday morning cancels; check this site before you leave if you’re unsure.

STATS

Level: Moderate+ (for steepness at start and some uneven terrain/scrambling)

Gain: ~ 1,300 ft.

Distance: ~3+ miles

Time: ~2-1/2 hours

Type: Out-and-back, single track trail.

Dogs: Permitted on leash (but initial uphill is steep and narrow)

Water: Not available

Parking: Free street parking on Lake Hollywood Dr. south of Wonder View

Bring: Water, sunscreen, a hat, and some snacks to share at our break. Poles could be helpful.

DIRECTIONS

From the 101 Freeway, exit Barham Blvd. Turn north on Barham and drive about a quarter mile to the light at Lake Hollywood Drive. Turn R and drive .5 mile to the intersection of Lake Hollywood and Wonder View Drive (Lake Hollywood turns right and Wonder View continues ahead). Closest address: 3501 Wonder View Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

From the 134 Freeway West, exit at Forest Lawn. Go 2.3 miles on Forest Lawn and turn L on Barham. Go 0.8 miles and turn left on Lake Hollywood Drive and go 0.5 miles to Wonder View Drive.

From the 134 Freeway East, exit at Pass Ave. exit and turn R/south to Olive, turn R on Olive until it connects with Barham, then follow directions above.

Here’s a map. (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=3501+Wonder+View+Dr.+Hollywood+CA&hl=en&ll=34.1317,-118.324299&spn=0.064226,0.144882&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.509065,74.179688&hnear=3501+Wonder+View+Dr,+Los+Angeles,+California+90068&t=m&z=13)

Shawn’s mobile: 213/308-7372

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SCHEDULE NOTES

1. Note that this hike is scheduled for March 3, not this Saturday Feb. 25.

2. We will not host hikes Feb. 25 and March 10 as both Antonio and Shawn are working (hi ho, hi ho. . .). Please check Meetup leader Rex Frankel’s excellent labor-of-love, the weekly summary of SoCal meetup hikes by day (http://lameetuphikes.blogspot.com/2012/02/hike-calendar-for-february-20-27-2012.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Lameetuphikes+%28LAmeetuphikes%29), for some options to consider.The Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Outings site (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/outings/Outings.asp) also lists great hikes to check out.

3. Begorra, we’ll be back on track with some green-themed hike (but then, aren’t all of them green?) on March 17.

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The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.