Griffith Park Northside Loop

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THIS FRESH TAKE ON AN OLD FAVE was ferreted out by the righteous team at ModernHiker.com (http://www.modernhiker.com/).

Starting from Travel Town (http://www.traveltown.org/) (whose locomotives may or may not be driven by calaveras this weekend), it’s a great take on the seldom-used trails of Griffith Park’s Burbank-facing side that’s a real treat for several reasons.

It’s got some challenging gain due its rollercoastery-ness, which includes scrambling up in sections and possibly butt sliding down in others. It passes through a variety of familiar places (including four peaks in the park) as well as seldom-seen scenes, such as a spooky/creaky wooden bridge that's only fit to hold spirits, the empty swimming pool of the damned and a vintage totem pole/canoe/teepee on the grounds of the Griffith Park Boys Camp. Pending interest, we may also take a side spur to visit the popular Amir’s Garden (http://www.amirsgarden.org/) oasis before passing through the Mineral Springs Picnic Area and back north to our starting point.

Here’s the original Modern Hiker post (http://www.modernhiker.com/2014/09/10/hike-griffith-parks-northside-loop/) if you’d like more details, but recognize that they hiked on a toasty day (current forecast for Saturday is partly cloudy and less than 70 degrees). Consider signing up for the MH email list while you’re visiting; it’s a terrific resource.

STATS

Level: Moderate+

Gain: ~2,500 ft.

Distance: ~ 7 miles

Time: 4 to 4-1/2 hours

Type: Loop, fire road, single track, scrambling and paved road. Almost entirely exposed

Dogs: Permitted on leash (note several areas may have ticks)

Water: Can refill if needed at Mineral Springs Picnic Area about 5 miles into the hike

Restrooms: Available at various locations throughout the Park (Travel Town will not be open this early) and at the Mineral Springs Picnic Area

Parking: Free parking at trailhead, the dirt lot just south of Travel Town’s parking lot

Bring: Hat adorned with marigolds, sunscreen, water, poles may be helpful for a few steep sections, possibly gloves for some scrambling, camera, extra points for snacks like pan de muerto (https://www.google.com/search?q=calaveras&biw=924&bih=460&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=C_BOVP6sI5X6oQSa7YKgDg&ved=0CD8QsAQ#tbm=isch&q=pan%20de%20muerto&revid=1048852777&imgdii=_)

DIRECTIONS

For GPS purposes, Travel Town is at 5200 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, 90027. Use the map to find the best directions from your location. We’ll meet in the dirt parking lot just south of the Travel Town lot (to the east of Griffith Park Drive).

Here’s a map. (https://www.google.com/maps/search/Travel+Town+5200+Zoo+Drive/@34.1251268,-118.3050257,11z)

Shawn’s mobile: 213/308-7372

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