Trail Stats
Mileage (r.t.)	3.0
Trailhead	1130'
Mt. Lee	1680'
Total gain/loss	550'
Gain/loss per mi.	336'

One of the most iconic images on the Tinseltown landscape is the famed Hollywood sign sitting atop Mount Lee in the Hollywood Hills. The original wood sign, erected in the early 1920s, read HOLLYWOODLAND as an advertisement for the Beachwood Canyon real estate development. Over the years the sign fell into disrepair. In 1978 a group of celebrities funded the restoration of the sign to its former glory, minus the "LAND."

In 2010 the historic landmark once again faced harm as a developer had designs on turning the nearby hillsides into houses. But once again the sign was saved as politicians, celebrities, and common folks banned together to raise $12.5 million to purchase the adjacent 138-acre site, including neighboring Cahuenga Peak and Burnbank Peak, to forever preserve it as open space in Griffith Park.

Today, this hike to Mount Lee combines a dirt road and a paved road and climbs 550 feet in 1.5 miles. You are rewarded with spectacular views of Hollywood and the L.A. basin to the south, and the San Fernando Valley to the north. Fences, signs, and an array of high-tech security devises prohibit you from getting up close and personal with the giant landmark, but from your perch atop Mt. Lee you can look right down on the sign from 100 feet away.

Season: All Year

Even though trails in Griffith Park can be hiked year around, the most enjoyable time is winter through early spring when the hillsides are green, temperatures are moderate, and when rain has cleaned the air and/or when an offshore wind has blown all the murkiness out to sea. Spring offers an array of wildflowers while fall provides some color with the leaves changing. On hot summer days the baking sun can be punishing, so go early in the morning or late in the day. See Seasons of the San Gabriels for a detailed description of minding the seasons.

Getting to the Trailhead:

In Hollywood, navigate your way to the intersection of Franklin Avenue (which is one block north of Hollywood Blvd.) and Beachwood Drive (which is one block east of Gower Street and about 0.7 mile west of Western Avenue). Note that Beachwood Drive does not go through to Hollywood Blvd. From the 101 Freeway, exit at Gower.

From the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Beachwood Drive, drive north on Beachwood toward the hills for 1.8 miles to a dirt parking area just short of Sunset Ranch horse stables (the address of Sunset Hollywood Ranch is 3400 N. Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068). (By the way, for connoisseurs of residential architecture, this drive up Beachwood Drive is a delight, offering an amazing collection of diverse architectural styles—but keep your eyes on the road, it is narrow and winding.) When you reach the parking area, your route is on the right and marked "Hollywood Ridge Trail."

Trail Description:

View west toward Mt. Lee from Hollyridge Trail. View Large Image

Begin your ascent on the marked "Hollyridge Trail" heading southeast. Note that in Griffith Park, "trails" generally refer to dirt roads wide enough to be a two-lane highway! Almost immediately after starting your climb look to the right (west) to get your first glimpse of the famed Hollywood sign. Your route takes a sharp turn left turn (north), passes the road coming up from the horse stables, then in a couple more minutes reaches an unmarked junction with Mulholland Trail. Take a sharp left (rather than continuing straight). Follow the route as it contours around the slopes, and in a few more minutes you will arrive at a paved road, Mt. Lee Drive (there is locked gate at the bottom, so don't entertain the idea of driving to the top). Turn right (north) and proceed up the windy, paved road. After a steady climb you reach the ridge top with views north toward Forest Lawn, downtown Burbank, and the San Fernando Valley. And the San Gabriel Mountains beckon you to them for a real hike. This is good spot to catch your breath. Notice on a right a narrow path heading east into the brush. This trail takes you to Mt. Chapel and connects with other park trails. But for our hike to Mt. Lee, bear left (west) on the road.

Looking south from the top of Mt. Lee toward the Hollywood sign and the L.A sprawl beyond on a hazy summer day View Large Image

The road traverses the north slopes of Mt. Lee and offers great views of the San Fernando Valley. You'll pass below the communications equipment on top of Mt. Lee to your left and shortly reach a hairpin turn crossing over to the south slope of the mountain. At this hairpin, notice a path heading east past the fence. This narrow trail will take you 0.2 mile to Cahuenga Peak (1820') and 0.6 mile to Burbank Peak (1690'), a nice side venture if you are so inclined read my hike description for the west approach via Burnbank and Cahuenga Peak). Follow the road as it curves left and in moments you reach your destination. Below you stands the Hollywood sign at 50 feet tall and 450 feet long.

On a clear day, the view of the L.A. basin can be stunning. Heed the warning prohibiting access to the Hollywood sign—there are human eyes watching surveillance monitors and officials are serious about enforcement. To ascend to the very top of Mt. Lee, take the path to the left of the gate and climb a few steps to the top of the knob. Mount Lee was named for the Don Lee Netework, which established the first transmitters on the summit in the late 1920s (read more on my description via Burbank Peak). Savor this historic site before you return the way you came.



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Related links on Dan's Hiking Pages:

• Hiking Griffith Park - Overview and links to other hikes in Griffith Park
• Burbank Peak, Cahuenga Peak, Mt. Lee - Hike Description
• Photo Album: Griffith Park Hike (Griffith Observatory to Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Chapel, Mt. Lee, and Cahuenga Peak) - March 9, 2011 - 20 photos with captions

See my blog posts from hikes to Mt. Lee:

• Mt. Lee and More in Griffith Park Hike - March 9, 2011 (Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Chapel, Mt. Lee, Cahuenga Peak via Griffith Observatory)
• Burbank Peak, Cahuenga Peak, Mt. Lee - December 30, 2011 (west approach via Wonder View Drive)

Links:

• hollywoodsign.org - Office website for the Hollywood sign. Lots of interesting and helpful information...but says nothing about climbing Mt. Lee.

• 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.

Books:

• Los Angeles County: A Day Hiker's Guide - by John McKinney (The Trailmaster, 2006). "Hollywood Sign." Historical background and good trail description.

• Day Hikes Around Los Angeles - by Robert Stone (Day Hikes Books: Red Lodge, 2003). Hike 64: "Mt. Lee and the 'Hollywood' sign." Brief historical background and scant trail description for a 3.0 mile hike via Hollyridge Trail. His description of the beginning of the hike is vague and confusing. His line map places Mt. Lee's summit on the wrong side of the trail. He has corrected these issues in his 2012 book (see below).

• Day Hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains - by Robert Stone (Day Hikes Books: Red Lodge, 2012). Hike 13: "Mt. Lee and the 'Hollywood' sign." Brief historical background and good trail description for a 3.0 mile hike via Hollyridge Trail. He has corrected the problems that are in the 2003 book (above) and his description and line map are now accurate and reliable.

Last Hiked: July 31, 2009 (route as described from Hollyridge Trail)
Last Hiked: March 9, 2011 (via Mulholland Ridge from Mt. Chapel)
Last Hiked: December 30, 2011 (via west approach)