Trail Stats
Mileage (r.t.)	3.0
Trailhead	1131'
Mt. Hollywood	1625'
Total gain/loss	500'
Gain/loss per mi.	333'

As the largest urban park in the U.S, the 4,071-acre Griffith Park stands as a treasure for Angelinos seeking respite from the rigors of living in the second largest city in the U.S. Rising high at the heart of Griffith Park stands 1,625-foot Mt. Hollywood and its amazing vistas of Los Angeles and surrounds.

Mt. Hollywood should not to be confused with Mt. Lee and its famous Hollywood sign, about a 1.5 west of Mt. Hollywood. Nor is Mt. Hollywood the tallest peak in the area. That distinction belongs to Cahuenga Peak (1820') about 1.8 miles to the west, but it lies beyond the park boundaries. But Mt. Hollywood commands huge popularity as it calls urbanites to climb its strategically placed summit.

There are a number of trails that climb to Mt. Hollywood, but I shall describe here the most popular route, which starts at the parking lot of Griffith Observatory. If you want a longer hike you can see my descriptions for two options for hikes to the observatory: Ferndell to the Observatory (2.0 round trip) and East Observatory Trail (#11) to the observatory (1.5 round trip).

In May 2007 a horrific wildfire incinerated 800 acres of Griffith Park including much of the area around Mt. Hollywood. But time is softening the affects, plants are coming back, and Mt. Hollywood still is a rewarding destination.

When reading about "trails" in Griffith Park, keep in mind that this usually means wide fire roads. If you are a not particularly fond of dirt roads as hiking trails, Griffith Park may be worth making an exception for. I'm a single-track trail guy, but all my ventures into Griffith have been rewarding. And if you want some narrow-trail hiking, there are a couple options you can add to your hike to Mt. Hollywood.

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 to the park entrance. Continue on Vermont, which turns into Vermont Canyon Road en route and follow the signs to the observatory. Parlk at the north end of the parking lot farthest away from the observatory.

Trail Description:

Mt. Hollywood Trail: Charlie Turner trailhead. View Large image

From the observatory parking lot, walk north (away from the observatory) and find the nicely landscaped Charlie Turner Trailhead for the Mt. Hollywood Hiking Trail. The wide path is lined with trees and a rail fence. This is your route. Begin your ascent and in a couple minutes you will pass through Berlin Forest, a shaded area with benches and tables. Just pass the "forest" you begin a short descent to a saddle saddled with a bridge. Under the bridge is the tunnel for vehicular traffic on Vermont Avenue.

At the far end of a bridge you'll notice a narrow path that bears left and offers a tempting shortcut as it climbs the ridge north toward Mt. Hollywood in a more direct route than the road. This is a possible alternate route for you, but for this hike stay on the main road bearing left past the bridge. The road heads northwest as the first leg of a long switchback. Take a look to your left to get some good views of the observatory with the L.A skyline as its backdrop. In a few minutes you reach a hairpin turn at an ascending/descending ridge where the road cuts back east. Enjoy your view west toward Mt. Lee and the Hollywood sign. Also notice a use path that heads down ridge toward the paved road below. There are many such informal trails webbing through the park providing the adventurer various alternative routes for exploring. Continue walking up the road. In a few minutes you reach a junction at an ascending/descending ridge offering nice views to the east.

From this junction you have four options. First, notice a path that heads down south toward the observatory. This alternate route terminates at the aforementioned bridge. If you choose to go this way on the return trip, be aware that the trail splits into numerous branches, and some lead to trial conditions that are hazardous and could result in injury. The trick is to keep bearing right (west). Second, notice a path that heads straight up the ridge north toward Mt. Hollywood. This is an alternate route for coming or going, but beware that it is steep with loose footing in places.

En route to Mt. Hollywood approaching Vermont Canyon Drive bridge. View Large image

Third, notice the road cutting back to the northwest. This is a main route that takes you past the Captain's Roost and around the backside and up to Mt. Hollywood. Fourth, the road that heads northeast is the other main route to Mt. Hollywood. This one takes you past Dante's View and around the back side and up to the summit. Either route is good. You can go up one and down the other if you'd like. The distance is about the same.

Both Captain's Roost and Dante's View suffered significant damage from the fire, but they are on their way to be restored, particularly Dante's view. Once you round to the north side of Mt. Hollywood's flank, you are treated to fine views of the urban sprawl of the San Fernando Valley. Continue following either road as they as approach the summit from the north.

Upon reaching Mt. Hollywood you are rewarded with an amazing 360-degree panorama of Los Angeles. If you go on a clear day, the vistas are simply spectacular. Picnic tables provide a place to relax. Consider bringing a city map and binoculars to aid you in indentifying various landmarks. A park map will be helpful in scoping out the various trails around the park. At 1,625 feet, Mt. Hollywood certainty is not a high mountain by any standard, and a mere bump compared to our majestic San Gabriels rising to 10,000 feet. But Mt. Hollywood is a jewel in the heart of a great city and well worth a visit.

Return the way you came and consider one of the alternate routes mentioned above.

Near sunset on Mt. Hollywood View Full Topo Map (156 K)

Related links on Dan's Hiking Pages:

• Hiking Griffith Park - Overview and links to other hikes in Griffith Park
• Ferndell to Griffith Observatory - Hike Description
• Griffith Observatory via East Observatory Trail (#11) - Hike Description
• Glendale Pk, Hogback and Mt. Hollywood - Hike Report: April 30, 2010

See my blog posts for hikes to Mt. Hollywood:

• Griffith Park Six Peaks Hike - August 5, 2010 (Bee Rock, Mt. Chapel, Mt. Bell, Mt. Hollywood, Glendale Peak, Beacon Hill via Old Zoo Park)
• Mt. Hollywood and Mt. Bell Hike - October 10, 2010 (via Griffith Observatory)
• Mt. Lee and More in Griffith Park Hike - March 9, 2011 (Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Chapel, Mt. Lee, Cahuenga Peak via Griffith Observatory)
• Mt. Bell and Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park Hike - October 6, 2011 (via Commonwealth Canyon and Hodback Ridge)

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