Griffith Park - Fern Dell to Mt. Hollywood

Relatively short--four miles roundtrip--but NOT for beginners.

The first hour of the hike is a steady, non-stop, uphill climb with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet to the top of Mt. Hollywood, the hilltop behind the Observatory (not to be confused with the Hollywood sign atop Mt. Lee a mile to the west above Beachwood Canyon). We descend along a different set of trails and fireroads to our starting point at Trails Cafe.

Two hours, including a stop at the top to enjoy the 360-degree panoramic views of the Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area from atop Mt. Hollywood. (There is a shorter 45-minute loop, with an elevation gain of about 400 feet, if you depart from the group a mile into the hike and return to our starting point on your own from the Observatory.)

Enter Griffith Park from Los Feliz Blvd., 100 yards east of Western Avenue, at Fern Dell Drive between a bust of Leif Ericsson (leader of the Vikings who reached Newfoundland 1,000 years ago) and a statue of a "rampant" (i.e., standing on his hindlegs) bear. Don't confuse this entrance with the Vermont/Hillhurst entrance, also on Los Feliz Blvd., a mile to the east. Drive uphill on Fern Dell Drive about 0.6 mile into the park. When you see Trails Cafe on the left, look for parking on the side of the road. You might have to drive up the road a bit to find an open space.

Look for me, accompanied by two small black dogs (thought by some to resemble miniature black bears), near the entrance of Trails Cafe between 7:25 and 7:30 a.m.

The group will depart promptly at 7:30 a.m. with or without you. You should plan to arrive few minutes early, but if you miss us there are multiple trails and fireroads leading up to Mt. Hollywood and to the Observatory. You will enjoy your walk in the park with or without the group.

Given the vicissitudes of morning rush hour traffic, you probably should skip this hike unless you live relatively nearby in Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Koreatown or Hollywood.

My mobile number is 323-354-0168.

Joining this hike is entirely voluntary and participants assume all associated risks. It is each hiker's responsibility to ensure that s/he is in sufficient fitness and health to participate, with appropriate provisions and equipment. The Los Angeles Hiking Meetup group and the hike organizer make no warranties about the safety or supervision of these activities.