GP-eX Segment 9:
TOYON – FOLK GARDEN LOOP
THIS SPRAWLING LOOP on the less-traveled north side of the Park takes you through landscapes high and low with views of vast expanses from its peaks, and a descent into a secret canyon saved by a visionary City conservationist. Along the way, you encounter two folk gardens and an historic landfill restoration project that’s a favorite location for migrating birds. Binoculars strongly encouraged!
Note: Two sections of the North trail – from Tank #73 to Amir’s Garden, and from Amir’s Garden to Zoo Tank / Toyon Tank – will be closed until the end of 2025 while LADWP installs a 12-inch mainline along the trail.
LENGTH
6.3 miles
GAIN
1,050 ft.
DIFFICULTY
Intermediate
DIRECTION
Either, clockwise below
1.Look for a yellow metal gate on the S side of the road near the E end of the Mineral Wells parking lot. Walk around the gate and go to the North Trail trailhead (sign #71) to get your bearings. The North Trail starts to the R of the sign, and goes immediately uphill. The first 1/4 mile of this trail is fairly steep, but you’re quickly rewarded with great views of Glendale, the Verdugos and San Gabriel mountains as you pass Tank #73 and continue on to Amir’s Garden (sign #69).
[Amir Dialameh photo credit: Farrokh A. Ashtiani]
2.Continue uphill on the North Trail, following signs to Vista Del Valle Dr. Climb through an avenue of pine trees, see a canyon to your L and, on the far side, the Bill Eckert Trail. Arrive at an interpretive sign memorializing the 1933 “Tragedy in Griffith Park,” when a wildfire in the canyon trapped a crew of civilian men working there, taking 29 lives.
3.Continue uphill, passing a spur trail to the R leading to the Zoo Tank. Turn L after the Toyon Tank on the L and continue uphill to a T-intersection (sign #67) that marks the eastern perimeter of the Toyon Canyon Restoration Project. Where the North Trail curves R through a gate, take the short spur trail on the L, heading downhill toward a shady tree, picnic table and Tank #112 (1.09). This folk garden, “El Invernadero” (The Greenhouse) was created by Echo Park resident Jose Palacios who formerly volunteered at Amir’s Garden. Take in the view, including the empty Boys Camp swimming pool, before retracing your steps back to the North Trail. Turn L to climb toward Vista Del Valle Dr., walking past a rock outcropping and small cave on your L.
4.At the intersection with paved Vista Del Valle Dr (1.3, sign #66), walk diagonally L across the paved road and up the dirt road to stay on North Trail (sign #65). The path continues to climb, at first parallel to Vista del Valle, then gradually to the R of it. Take the first intersecting path to the R (1.5, sign #60) and leave the North Trail to go onto an unnamed trail heading W toward Mt. Hollywood Dr. The trail ascends to a saddle between Mt. Bell and Mt. Baby Bell where it intersects another trail (sign #62). Turn R and head downhill toward Mt. Hollywood Dr. (1.8). Turn R again on the paved road (Mt. Hollywood Dr.) and continue until you reach a fork in the road and a large Mt. Hollywood Dr. (sign #64).
5.Take the L fork to stay on Mt. Hollywood Dr. From here the road descends NW though many twists and turns for approximately 1 mile. Since this paved road is shared with bicyclists, walk at the edges of the road. There are many trees with welcome shady spots in summer. Check out the Haunted Picnic Table 29 (2.0) on your L and views of Forest Lawn Cemetery, Burbank and Verdugo Hills. From the unsigned Cathy’s Corner overlook (2.2), you can recreate the joyful dance sequence from the film, “La La Land.”
6.The road levels out around mile 3, as it follows the SW perimeter of the Toyon Canyon Restoration Project. You pass a sign for Mt. Hollywood Dr. (#90) and, at approximately 3.5, follow the sign on the L/W to Royce’s Canyon, a secret and serene spot. You see a crumbling, fenced-in bench under a tree to your L as you descend. As you turn L into the canyon from the paved road, you face views of Mt. Lee (1,709 ft., home of the Hollywood sign) with its transmitter tower. Just R of Mt. Lee is Cahuenga Peak (1,814 ft). The path follows a gully down the canyon toward Sennett Creek bed. This short out-and-back spur ends in a small field opposite a rock outcropping with visible caves. Retrace your steps up the canyon to Mt. Hollywood Drive and turn L/N.
7.Continue walking on the edges of paved Mt. Hollywood Dr. as it snakes around several curves. Shortly after passing the top of unmarked Suicide Trail on your L, take the dirt trail on your R/NE to Toyon Trail (sign #91). It’s a short walk to a T-intersection on your R (sign #89). Turn L (downhill) to stay on Toyon as it winds around the NW perimeter of the Toyon Canyon Restoration Project. Within a few minutes you arrive at a bench with a drinking fountain, horse hitching post and trough (4.5) on the L, opposite park service buildings, Tank #111, and Toyon Trail on the L (sign #88).
