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Dan's Hiking Pages: Hikes in the San Gabriels and Beyond |
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Griffith Observatory
via East Observatory Trail (#11)
Griffith Park / Los Angeles / Southern California
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Trail Stats
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Mileage (r.t.)
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1.5
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Trailhead
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710'
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Observatory
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1131'
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Total gain/loss
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421'
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Gain/loss per mi.
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561'
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Griffith Park stands as the largest urban park in the U.S., about five times the size of Central Park in New York. Visionary businessman Griffith J. Griffith foresaw the need for such open space and in 1896 donated 3,015 acres to the City of Los Angeles to be used as a park. And when he died in 1919, he left a fortune to fund the dreams he had for the park. Today the 4,071-acre Griffith Park is a treasure for Angelinos. And with its 53-mile network of trails, fire roads, and bridle paths, offers myriad hiking opportunities.
My hiking pages focus on the San Gabriel Mountains, but I so thoroughly enjoyed my hike to Griffith Observatory, I couldn't resist featuring this hike as the first entry in my "...and Beyond" section.
The hike is really short at only 1.5 miles round trip, which begs the question if it can actually be considered a hike. And certainly I'd say leave your hiking gear at home. Put on some causal clothes and comfortable tennis shoes, maybe grab a hat and sunglasses and bottle of water, and hit the trail. And don't forget the camera—the scenery is striking.
The hike starts near the famed Greek Theater and climbs a well-traveled dirt road yielding a spectacular panorama of the urban jungle of Los Angeles. Your ascent climaxes at the historic Griffith Observatory, one of the most widely recognized and beloved landmarks in L.A. And since it reopened in January 2007 after its four-year, gazillion dollar renovation, the observatory is better than ever, offering a thoroughly fascinating and enriching experience. And it's free (except for the Planetarium show)! One can easily spend three or four hours there without exhausting its offerings.
Season: All Year
Keep in mind that on hot summer days the baking sun could be punishing, so go early in the morning or late in the day. For the best views, hike in the winter or spring when rain has cleaned the air.
Getting to the Trailhead:
Griffith Park is northwest of downtown Los Angeles, just west of I-5, roughly between Los Feliz Blvd. to the south and the Ventura Freeway (SR 134) to the north. From Los Feliz Blvd. turn north on Vermont Avenue and drive along a scenic street lined with regal mansions. At about 1.2 miles, just past the Golf course restaurant on the right, notice Boy Scout Road cutting to the left (if you pass the Greek Theater, you've gone a half block too far). The trailhead is on the right just after you make the turn onto Boy Scout Road). Park along the Road but be aware of the restricted parking enforced when the Greek Theater is having a show (call ahead or check their website for show schedules). See map and directions provided by the Greek Theater.
Trail Description:
From the north side of Boy Scout Road near the intersection of Vermont Avenue, notice the wide path heading north. The sign indicates the trail as number 11. Begin your hike on the wide, dirt path as it begins to aggressively ascend several switchbacks and then head westerly. Your first views will be of the park area below and of the adjacent ridge and hillside accented with homes. As you look east you'll begin to see the hillsides of the eastern section of the park that where charred with the May 2007 fire. The San Gabriel Mountains peak above the ridgeline in distance. Shortly you round a bend and get your first glimpse of the observatory.
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Looking north at the Griffith Observatory from the five-way trail junction. View Large image.
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You'll cross a paved service road and a few steps later achieve a ridge offering your first good look at the mass of urban sprawl to the south. As you climb higher the panorama becomes dazzling. After contouring westward you'll reach a main ridge with a five-point junction, 0.5 miles from the start. Here you are rewarded with a handsome view of the grand observatory, perched above you to the north.
As you face the observatory from this junction, you'll see three dirt roads heading northward, like prongs on a fork. The one on the left descends to Ferndell (see Ferndell hike descripton); the one in the middle goes a couple hundred yards and dead-ends at a large water valve below the Observatory; the one on the right climbs to the observatory and is your route (there's also narrow trail that descends southwest to a ridge point).
Follow the road north as it ascends to the eastern end of the observatory. In 0.25 from the junction you reach your destination, the Griffith Observatory.
If you choose not to go inside the observatory, at lease climb its steps to take in the views from its roof and balconies—the vistas are stunning!
Return the way you came. 
Related link on Dan's Hiking Pages:
Links:
- Griffith Observatory - Official Website
- Griffith Park - Official Website. Virtually useless for hikers—no maps, trail descriptions or any anything that provides a clue to where or how to hike in the park.
- Greek Theatre - Official Website
Books:
- Afoot and Afield in Los Angeles County - by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press: Berkley). Area B-6, Trip 1: "Fern Dell-Mt. Hollywood Loop." Trail description of the route from the west heading to Mt. Hollywood and returning via the observatory. Only the last 0.25 mile of this present hike is included his write-up.
- Los Angeles County: A Day Hiker's Guide - by John McKinney (The Trailmaster, 2006). "Ferndell." Brief historical background and trail description of the west route from Ferndell to the observatory. Puts the hike at 2.5 miles round trip with 500 feet in gain. Only the last 0.25 mile of this present hike is included his write-up.
- Day Hikes Around Los Angeles - by Robert Stone (Day Hikes Books: Red Lodge, 2003). Hike 67: "Griffith Park Observatory to Ferndell Park." Scant on some of the navigational details. Only the last 0.25 mile of this present hike is included his write-up.
Last Hiked: May 14, 2010
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Hikes / Trails
