Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Bell Hike - 10-10-10

It’s 10-10-10, how cool! I had to do something to commemorate the date...so a hike was it. My plan was to drive into my office on Saturday in LA to get some work done in preparation for a full week, then do a late afternoon hike in Griffith Park. As I drove the 210 and 134, the beauty of the day grabbed me. Instead of transitioning to the 2, I couldn’t resist the gravitational pull of Griffith Park. I ended up at the observatory and got a great parking place on the road just a few steps below the Charlie Turner Trailhead.

11:00 - Start hike at the Charlie Turner Trailhead on Mt. Hollywood Trail heading north. The weather is warm and sunny but not too hot. I am vitally aware of the fact that I have never hiked in Griffith Park in the morning. All my hikes have been in the late afternoon after work. So my pace is brisk with the intent of standing on Mt. Hollywood in the morning. I’ve hiked this trail a number of times but I’m busy snapping pictures because I have never experienced it in this light.

11:04 - Transition to the ridge trail just past the bridge. I figure I’ll take the most direct route. The trail is somewhat steep but certainly more like real hiking than a stroll on a wide dirt road. The views are quite striking today.

11:11 - Reach the junction south of Mt. Hollywood. Veering left would take me past Captain’s Roost; veering right would take me past Dante’s View. But I head straight up the ridge, continuing on the most direct route. The sun is warm.

11:16 - Mt. Hollywood (1625'). That was fast! To my surprise there are only two people here. On every previous visit, there has always been a small crowd. Great views today. I look north and see Mt. Bell and figure I can reach it while it is still morning.

11:20 - Leave Mt. Hollywood and head northeast. I love the scenery in Griffith Park and the panoramas beyond. In minutes I reach the major junction and continue straight along the ridge. I am aware that this is the first time I have hiked this section of trail going this direction.

11:28 - Transition to the narrow trail climbing the north ridge of “Baby Bell” (the unnamed summit to the southeast of Mt. Bell). I am really enjoying the midday light…I can take pictures in all directions without the deep, late afternoon shadows that I am used to. Virtually nothing in bloom right now. Curve around the east hip of Baby Bell and now enjoy the views north with Mt. Bell in my sights to the west.

11:33 - Saddle east of Mt. Bell. I start ascending the east ridge, the shortest route to the top. I notice that someone has cleared a lot of brush from along the trail, making the climb easier.

11:37 - Mt. Bell (1582')…my fifth time here this year, and each time has been from a different route. I really enjoy the views from this summit. I especially like being able to look west toward Mt. Lee (Hollywood Sign) and Cahuenga Peak without squinting from the setting sun. The brush trimming efforts came all the way to the summit and several prominent bushes have been removed. I don’t know what the purpose was; it decreases some of the shade, but does increase the views. See a line of equestrians on the dirt road below.

11:50 - Leave Mt. Bell heading southwest. The brush clearing makes this route easier, but it’s still steep in places with loose footing. I take careful steps.

11:55 - Arrive at main trail. Count 109 paces from there west to the saddle junction. I continue west, then cut left down to paved Mt. Hollywood Drive heading south. Lots of people using the main trails today. Some on horses. Some with dogs. I pass by Mulholland Trail junction (#43) and continue south. I’m now on a portion of trail (paved road) which I’ve never been on.

12:14 - 3 Mile Trail junction (#37). This will be my route, but I continue on another 100 yards to check out the large rock outcropping that predominately sits high on the eastern slopes of Brush Canyon. It’s quite impressive. I scamper around and explore it. There is still water pooled in some of the recesses left over from the rains earlier in the week.

12:34 - Back at 3-Mile Trail junction. Begin my ascent. I’ve not been on this trail before so I’m enjoying some different perspective on the scenery. I’m loving the clear skies and great views of the surrounding hills and human sprawl beyond. Soon reach a hairpin turn that cuts back east and now briefly have views south. Pass below water tank 151.

12:49 - Junction north of Mt. Hollywood. I continue straight (east) and arrive at Dante’s View in about three minutes. Refresh my water bottle at the water fountain. Wander around Dante’s View—a sprawling hillside garden—and enjoy snapping some pics in the midday light. The benches, picnic tables, and serenity of the garden are most inviting, but no one is here but me. After 10 minutes, I continue southwest.

1:06 - Junction south of Mt. Hollywood (my 11:11 location). I retrace my steps south along the path that drops to the west of the ridge and soon meet another multi-route junction. I continue down to find myself in a web of trails that end up dropping steeply to the road below. I think I took a wrong turn! I climb back to the multi-route junction and realize I should have turned right (west) rather than going straight south. Chat with a family visiting from Germany. Follow them down the correct path.

1:29 - Arrive at the bridge. Those last few steps are really dicey. Continue south across the bridge. At the Berlin Forest I note the sign that the points in the direction of Berlin—5,795 miles away. Wow, that German family is far from home! Soon my car comes into view parked along the road below.

1:35 - End of hike, back at the Charlie Turner Trailhead. I wash up at the restroom and pay a short visit to the observatory. I love this amazing landmark. The air conditioning inside feels good. Lots of people. As I head back to the car I see a helicopter approaching the summit of Mt. Hollywood. It looks like it's going to land. It does land, kicking up a huge plumb of dust. Wonder what that’s about.

Epilog - Really an enjoyable hike on 10-10-10. Warm and sunny, but not unbearable. Great views. This year has been the year of hiking Griffith Park for me. This special place has really become a dear friend. With the seasons changing and daylight getting less, it may not be until next spring before I do another after-work hike in Griffith Park, so I will have to savor this one.

  See Hiking Griffith Park at Dan's Hiking Pages
 (includes links to my other blog posts for hiking in Griffith Park)

See Mt. Hollywood via Griffith Observatory hike description at Dan's Hiking Pages (Detailed trail guide with options to Mt. Bell, Mt. Chapel, Mt. Lee, and more)

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