GP-eX Segment 14:
VISTA DEL VALLE GRAND LOOP
THIS CLASSIC GRAND SWEEP around Griffith Park offers unique views of the Park’s interior and panoramas of the densely-populated urban areas that encircle it. You’ll also discover secluded, peaceful benches and private picnic areas to share later with family and friends.
Note: You can also begin this at the Riverside trailhead or at the Vermont Pay Tennis Courts. Since this segment is entirely paved except for a few spurs, it’s shared by hikers and bicyclists… so walk on the outer edges of the road for safety, not to mention, the best views.
PARKING
Greek Theater/Lot G, Vermont or Commonwealth
LENGTH
8.67 miles
GAIN
1,086 ft.
DIFFICULTY
Difficult
DIRECTION
Either, counter-clockwise below
2.Turn L/E on Commonwealth (.7) to pass a white gate and continue on a slight uphill; a dirt path parallels the road if you prefer that to the pavement. Turn L/N at gate to Vista del Valle (1.1, sign #34) and continue straight toward the Cedar Grove, passing a bench on your R.
Bonus
Take a 1/2-to-3/4 mile RT detour to visit the historic Commonwealth Nursery, which opened in 1928 on 12 acres near the SE corner of the Park. At its peak, it had a staff of nearly 50 and produced 1-to-2 million plants annually for city parks and public buildings. Largely non-operational since the 70s, the nursery recently underwent upgrades to the terraced beds. It is hoped that various entities will be able to use the nursery to grow trees and plants from locally-sourced seeds.
Continue straight/SE on paved Commonwealth to the gate at Commonwealth Ave. (.2) and turn L/NE to walk up to the nursery on your L. When done exploring, retrace your steps to sign #34 and proceed toward Cedar Grove.
3.As you continue up VdV, look S at the nursery below and the Observatory directly across at eye level. Further up VdV, you pass a picnic area on the L. Soon you arrive at Cedar Grove (1.5, sign #37) a popular film/TV shooting location. Turn R/S to explore this lush, shady and uncrowded oasis. Since conifers are not native to the Park, it’s thought they may have been planted around the same time as Fern Dell was being developed. Slow down to relish the beauty here via a counterclockwise loop. Take the first R/SW and, when the trail splits, turn L/S to walk to the Rose Greenberg Memorial Bench on your R. Head E to the picnic tables to check out the L.A. River below. Then turn L/N and return to VdV (1.78). Turn R/NE.
4.Enjoy views of DTLA, the L.A. River, and the San Gabriels on your R, as well as the Coolidge Trail and Glendale skyline in the distance. As you round a curve, a water tank (1.93) with a painted “forest” on its sides comes into view. Take the trail on the L just past the tank to the “Sweet Pea’s Retreat” bench, then continue R on the trail back to VdV. Turn L/NE to the Joe Klass Water Stop (2.2). Pass the sign and turn L to walk past the picnic tables and water fountain, and then turn L to rejoin VdV and continue straight/SW.
5.Pass the South Tank and a bench under a tree on your R as you walk to the iconic Vista View Point/McComb Helipad, with its commanding views of DTLA, the Observatory and Berlin Forest. Many hikers/bikers stop here and can snap your photo. When you’re done, return to VdV and continue L/N (2.54, sign #36).
6.Continue straight, passing the start of Hogback Trail on your L. You’re surrounded by incredible views along this flat section, but stay to the R side of the road to steer clear of bicyclists. Pass a major earth slide on the L, then look up to your L shortly after to discover an enchanting view of the Hogback bridge from below, framed by eucalyptus trees. Later, you see the green of the Wilson & Harding Golf Course, the Glendale skyline and the Bill Eckert Trail on your R. Pause to (3.2) scan across the canyon for a unique side profile of Bee Rock from the S.
[Plant photos credit: Gerry Hans]
7.After several curves in the road, you arrive at a clearing above Bee Rock (4.07, sign #56). Read the interpretive sign (#99) to identify what’s in front of you, then continue NW on VdV. Pass the entrance to the Bill Eckert Trail (sign #57), Tank #113 and a water fountain on your R. The road continues to curve as you pass a trail junction (4.5, sign #59) on your L. Stay straight to pass a row of eucalyptus trees on your L, then continue past a junction for the North Trail (4.79, sign 65). Continue straight, passing sign #66 (4.81) on your R. You see the top of the Toyon Landfill, paved Mt. Hollywood Dr., and the San Fernando Valley on the R/NW and Tank #153 in the distance. At the junction of Mt. Hollywood Dr. and VdV (5.02, sign# 64), turn L/S to continue on Mt. Hollywood Dr.
8.Stay to the R edge of the road as you walk down VdV, passing the gate to Mulholland Trail on your R (5.23, sign #8) and continuing to “3 Mile Tree” (5.5) with its shaded picnic table and water fountain. Walk down as the Hollywood Sign comes into view NW. At a junction with a dirt fire road (6.28, sign #14), continue straight/W on the fire road toward the location of Tank #116, now removed. This seldom-used trail has amazing views of the Hollywood Sign to the N and the Observatory to the S; have your camera ready!
Take the fire road to the end where a stone labyrinth might be found on top of the former water tank spot. Bronson Canyon is to the W. Retrace your steps to rejoin VdV (6.8). Turn R/S.
9.Mt. Hollywood Dr. ends at a white gate just before a Mt. Hollywood Tunnel on your L (sign #15, 7.2). Turn R to walk up the sidewalk toward the Observatory. Cross paved Western Canyon Rd. and go straight on W. Observatory Rd., passing sign #27 for the West Trail enroute. This gentle uphill has several lookouts along the R side to the W. Pass benches and an overlook while arriving at the parking lot (7.5).
Walk straight, passing restrooms and a water fountain on the R, and an angel wing photo opp spot and picnic tables. The sidewalk curves L/S to arrive at the front of the Astronomers Monument (7.64). If you haven’t yet visited the Observatory, you may want to do it now before finishing the loop.
10.Continue L/S on the sidewalk passing a water fountain and the DASH/Rideshare pickup area. Enjoy the leisurely stroll E/SE down E. Observatory Trail, with Mt. Hollywood and Captain’s Roost above in the distance. Stay R on the sidewalk at the junction with the tunnel and Vermont Canyon; don’t miss the view of the DTLA skyline through the trees (8.0). Pass a small parking lot and picnic area on the L just before the Bird Sanctuary Trail and restrooms.
Continue on the paved sidewalk on the W side of Vermont Canyon Rd. or cross the street to walk the dirt single track trail that starts just below the restrooms on the E side of Vermont. Whichever you choose, continue S, passing the Greek Theater on the W side to return to your starting point at the playground at the NE corner of Vermont and Commonwealth Canyon Rd.
