Old Zoo Park to Bee Rock and Mt. Bell - March 13, 2014

It’s almost spring and a great time to hike in Griffith Park. Part of my job at work is to facilitate meetings, and this week we have meeting participants from all over the country in town. As the week unfolded it turned out that the meeting would end a half day early today. During weeks of previous meetings, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting Jeff (Kentucky) and Loren (Kansas) to hikes in Griffith Park. They were both up for a hike today and after mentioning it to Dave (Washington), he was in too.

So we pile into my car and head to Griffith Park. As we arrive at the Old Zoo parking lot, we found that the area is being used for filming a sitcom and the lot is closed off to cars. Thankfully there is a close-by parking place available.

2:35 p.m. - We begin our hike by walking west along the closed-off parking area. The production crew is up ahead so I decide to bear left and take the guys through the old zoo. It’s a worthwhile side jaunt as we enjoy walking past the zoo enclosures which housed the small assortment of animals from 1912 to 1965. Up on the mountainside 600 vertical feet above us, Bee Rock stands as an imposing mass. The warm sun, pleasant temps, and gentle breeze provide perfect hiking weather. Stately sycamores are now in full leaf after their winter hiatus. We enjoy good conversation as we stroll along.

We pass through the pedestrian opening in the chain link fence and transition unto Bee Rock Trail, a wide dirt road climbing west. I point out some of the plants along the way. This is Dave’s first time hiking in Griffith Park and he is impressed by the rugged beauty and remote feel right in the heart of Los Angeles.

The heavy rains we had two weeks ago have brought a freshness to the plants. There is nothing in bloom yet except for a lone eupatory. Soon the wide road ends and our route cuts left turning into a narrow path. Now this feels like hiking. We enjoy the views opening up to sprawling Glendale and beyond. I point out some of the landmarks. The marine layer from this morning has left hazy skies. Lemonade berry joins my blooming list. High above us, a couple ladies stand atop bee rock. We’re having a great time. We reach the ridgeline and turn left (east) for our final steps.

3:19 - Bee Rock (1056’). I’m always impressed with the amazing views from this protruding pinnacle, aside from the horrid, rusty chain link fence. The abundance of graffiti is a stark reminder of how blighted mankind is. A cool breeze feels good. We take some pics and enjoy the scenery. I point out Mt. Bell to our west, our next destination.

We leave the summit at 3:29. A four-minute walk along the fenced ridge brings us to the paved Vista Del Valle Drive. It still makes me sad that the early guardians of the park felt the need to carve up this beautiful island of natural space with wide roads. We veer right and saunter west on the paved road. Shortly we arrive at trail junction 16, one of the very few navigation posts left in the park. We turn left (south) and begin our climb up the steep dirt road. I point out the tender young leaves of poison oak as it emerges from its winter siesta. We enjoy the warm sun and expanding views.

At junction 39 (yes, another sign post!), we turn right for a short descent. Within a minute we notice a steep use path heading west up the slope toward the summit of Mt. Bell. It looks like the path gets a fair amount of foot traffic, suggesting that it may be a doable route to the top. From my observations from Mt. Bell on previous trips, I’ve noted that there is a network of paths heading in various directions. I toss out the idea of an adventure and the guys are eager to give it try. So up we climb. It is quite steep and is still damp from the recent rains, making it slippery. Soon we reach a junction and veer right. Shortly the trail vanishes and we’re left on the brushy mountainside. I’m always amazed that so much foot traffic goes nowhere! We retrace our steps to the previous junction and try the route that heads south. Shortly it splits. I have the guys wait while I veer right to see if it’s a good route. It looks good, but Loren yells over announcing he’s found a doable path. I figure his route will join the east approach to Bell from the Bell/Baby Bell saddle. So I yell across and give him my blessing (and hope he realizes he’s not in Kansas anymore). Dave follows him and Jeff follows me. Soon our route gets crazy steep, slippery, and brushy. Not a good choice! After a few minutes of thrashing we finally reach a decent trail (the route coming up from the northwest). That was an adventure! Another couple minutes delivers us to the summit.

4:21 - Mount Bell (1582’). Loren and Dave are sitting here waiting for us and give us a hard time for our poor route choice. But they both have wounds on their shins, so their route wasn’t a walk in the park either! I love this peak. The views aren’t great today because of the haze, but it still provides a most satisfying panorama. I point out various sights—the ocean, mountains, peaks, cities, studios, buildings, and so on. We are having a great time. The weather is wonderful. I’m always amazed by the solitude on this peak. As I look south across the canyon, there are at least a dozen people over on Mt. Hollywood.

We leave the peak at 4:53 and head down the southwest approach and six minutes get us to the dirt road. A lady passes by...only our second human encounter since leaving Zoo Park (we passed three gals on Bee Rock Trail)…surrounded by a metropolis of 13 million people, and we have this splendid hike virtually to ourselves! Go figure.

We turn right (west) then another right at the saddle heading northeast. This is the route we would have been on if we hadn’t taken our “shortcut” up the mountainside. At the next junction we take a left and in five minutes arrive at Vista Del Valle Drive. We turn right and saunter along the paved road in the late afternoon shade enjoying good conversation. We pass junction 16 (where we turned earlier) and shortly reach the junction with Bill Eckert Trail (jct. 14). I decide to lead the group down this route to provide a loop with some different scenery. Soon we are enjoying the direct sun. I love the “golden hour” for photography. After a half-hour walk down Eckert Trail, we arrive at its lower terminus near Old Zoo Park. We turn right, then left, then pass through the chain link fence. They are still shooting the TV show as we walk by the production trucks along the paved road.

6:05 - End hike.

Epilog – What an enjoyable outing! Great company, near-perfect weather, beautiful scenery, good exercise, splendid trails, two fun peaks, solitude, adventure. And topped off with dinner at In-N-Out! Life is good!

  View photo album for this hike

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

See Bee Rock and Old Zoo Park hike description at Dan's Hiking Pages

See Brush Canyon to Mt. Bell hike description at Dan's Hiking Pages
(includes more detailed description for the approaches to Mt. Bell)

NEXT > Mt. Hollywood and Mt. Bell via Travel Town - April 9, 2015
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Beacon, Glendale, Bee in Griffith Park - November 21, 2012

Very uncharacteristic for me, it’s been nearly seven weeks since I’ve been hiking. So I was eager to hit the trail, and a half day off work before Thanksgiving offered an ideal opportunity to hike in Griffith Park. For my many hikes in the park over the years, I’ve not repeated one yet. I’ve used many of the same trail sections, but combined them for different hikes. For today’s hike I tried out a use path to Beacon Hill, a use path to Glendale Peak (which I’ve been down but not up), a section of Vista Del Valle Drive (which I’ve not been on before), and descended Bee Rock Trail (which I’ve climbed but not descended).

I leave my office in Echo Park at 1:43 and navigate to the merry-go-round parking lot off Crystal Springs Drive on the east end of Griffith Park. I walk back to the parking lot entrance and walk across the street to the trailhead.

2:15 PM – Begin hike on Lower Beacon Trail (#2) heading southeast. Within 3 minutes I reach an outward bend and am pleased to find my path heading up the ridge. I pre-scouted the route on Google maps aerial and it showed a clear, distinct trail. I turn right and begin to climb the narrow path up the broad ridge. The temperature is pleasant and the sunshine feels good. There’s a gentle breeze. Haze obscures the views today. The din of traffic on the I-5 provides an ever-present soundtrack. The route is somewhat steep but not bad. It feels good to be hiking. The yellowing leaves of black walnut add a splash of fall color. Soon Bee Rock to the northwest comes into view over my shoulder. As the trail mellows out, Beacon Hill comes into view up ahead. The 2007 fire incinerated this area, but vegetation is coming back well. It seems like the climb went quickly as I reach Upper Beacon Trail in 20 minutes. I turn left (east) on the dirt road and make the final steep climb to the summit.

2:35 - Beacon Hill (1001’). This isn’t a grand summit, but it stands as the eastern most point of the 40-mile-long Santa Monica Mountains. Glendale spreads out below me. The San Gabriel Mountains, dominating the skyline from the North to East, are virtually invisible today, as is downtown L.A. to the south. A man arrives and keeps going. I’m bummed that my camera lens cover is not retracting all the way.

I leave the summit at 2:55 and head west along the eucalyptus-lined road. Six minutes delivers me to 5-Points junction. I continue straight on the middle fork. There is nothing in bloom. Winter grass begins to push its way through the soil dampened by recent rain. A young couple passes walking some dogs. I pass below a water tank, round the bend to the south, and arrive at Vista View Point and the paved Vista Del Valle Drive.

I turn right (north) on the paved road and in about 100 yards reach a 4-point junction at 3:16. Folks are coming up Riverside Trail from the west. The grand observatory sits as a hazy silhouette to the west. I turn left, pass the green shed, and head west on Hogback Trail, signed “Bridle Trail.” In a few minutes I reach an outward bend and my short-cut route. I’ve been down this way but not up. I turn north and am thankful for long legs as I negotiate several big steps cut out of the steep granite to begin the climb. The use path is steep and the footing is comfortable in the soft dirt until near the top where the footing gets dicey on the exposed rock.

3:25 - Glendale Peak (1184’). The breeze is cool and the views are obliterated with haze. Ant-like humans dot the summit of Mt. Hollywood to the west. I post a picture to Facebook. It’s peaceful here. I consider heading north on Henry’s Trail to the bridge and seeing if there is a route down to the road. But I don’t have enough daylight to be taking chances on possible alternate routes.

I leave the summit at 3:40 heading down the same path. It’s a little more precarious descending. Back at the road I retrace my steps to the 4-point junction. There’s a fair amount of foot traffic here. For several years following the 2007 fire, this portion of Vista Del Valle Drive had been closed due to fire damage, thus I’ve not yet hike it.

I turn north on the paved road. I’m in total shade now and it’s cool. My pace is brisk. Shortly I arrive at the ravine with the footbridge above and discover that there is indeed and well-beaten route down the steep slope from the south end of the bridge. I can’t resist trying it out, so up I climb. It’s a little precarious and not for the faint of heart, but careful steps deliver me to the beginning of Henry’s Trail and the bridge. Three walkers pass. I take a few pictures and climb back down to the road. The side trip took 10 minutes.

I continue north as the road gently ascends contouring along the mountainside. The sun still rests on Beacon Hill to the east. I can see the merry-go-round parking lot below. As I round a bend at the power tower, “Baby Bell” comes into view to the northwest with the sun still resting on it. The sun sets in about 35 minutes so I press the pace. Across Spring Canyon, tiny figures stand on Bee Rock. I’m enjoying the views of the various features at east of the park from a different perspective, but I wish I had better lighting. After what seemed like a long walk, I finally reach the bend and transition unto the trail descending east along the ridge for a 3-minute walk to the rock.

4:33 - Bee Rock (1056’). The mountain casts shade on the west portion of Glendale while dim rays of sun rest on highpoints on the east side. The San Gabriels are but a faint outline through the thick, orange haze. It’s breezy and quite cool now. I briefly take in the views, snap a few pics, put on a long-sleeved shirt, and leave at 4:37.

It’s only 10 minutes till sunset but I know I’ll have plenty of light to navigate the narrow trail down. This is the first time I’ve descended Bee Rock Trail. My other visits to Bee Rock were the first stage of loop hikes that took other routes down. My camera doesn’t really capture the beauty of dusk. The yellow leaves of black walnut almost glow. My pace is relaxed now. It takes me 15 minutes to the dirt road where I turn east. In a few minutes I reach the junction of Old Zoo Trail.

I pass through the fence and saunter through Old Zoo Park. Western sycamores display beautiful fall colors but the lighting is too dim now to capture it. A family strolls across the grass with their dogs. Some young men are exploring old animal cages. The walk is peaceful as I head southeast to complete the loop. Glendale is now a blanket of twinkling lights seen through the trees. I have happy memories of other hikes in Griffith Park that ended in nightfall.

5:15 - End Hike.

Epilog - A very pleasant outing. I love Griffith Park and enjoy exploring new routes and experiencing the nuances of this wonderful place. I am pleased and somewhat surprised that all the dog walkers I encountered today were using leashes…that may be a first for me! I look forward to the green of spring when the flowers begin to add color to the hillside and the daylight lingers.

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

See hike descriptions on Dan’s Hiking Pages
(Detailed trail guide including driving directions, recommended season, map, notes, links, and photos)

• Beacon Hill hike description
• Bee Rock hike description

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