LA Hikes

By Emily Young MA ‘16

Looking for fun things to do in LA this summer?  Check out my list of great hiking spots and hit the trails!

 My Three Favorite Hikes:

1. Chantry Flats and Hermit Falls in the Los Angeles National Forest

This hike holds a near and dear place in my heart because it was my first hike in LA.  After my freshman year, I lived in Cardinal and Gold student housing for the summer without a car.  Although most of the time I was busy with summer school and volleyball, I had an itch explore the great outdoors. By chance, a friend called me one Saturday morning and was looking for someone to drop her off at the train station and said I could use her car for the weekend. As soon as I got home from the train station I looked up National Parks near LA.  Los Angeles National Forest came up as a top result. http://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles/  

Getting to the Los Angeles National Forest from SC is relatively easy (the 110 N to the 210 E exiting at N Santa Anita Ave in Arcadia). You do need an adventure pass for parking which is $5.  It can be purchased at the information center at 701 N. Santa Anita Ave. Arcadia, CA 91006 during open hours or can be purchased at the general store taking Santa Anita Ave. to the trailhead at the top of the mountain.  The drive up to the trailhead is one of my favorite parts because you climb elevation really fast and can see the entire view of LA on a clear day.

The hike itself is relatively easy, around 3 miles, and well marked.  There are normally others on the trail, especially weekends, so it is hard to get lost.  There is great tree coverage for shade and both Hermit Falls and Chantry Flats have the Santa Anita Creek running through them.

*Note that it is summer so water levels in the forest will be low.  The Chantry Flats waterfall is more of a trickle and Hermit Falls is way to low to jump in without serious injury or death. 

2. Hollywood Sign Hike

If you are new to hiking, or want to take your parents on a hike, I would recommend the Hollywood Sign Hike.  It’s a quintessential thing to do if you live in Los Angeles and a great place to take those visiting LA.  The trail is mostly paved with a wide dirt path at the beginning.  There is no shade, so do bring water.

From USC you can take Vermont to Franklin or Highway 101 to Gower and right on Franklin) and head east to Beachwood. Turn left and follow Beachwood almost two miles to its end in the Hollywood Hills.  Parking is only available on the streets, (parking next to the trail head is reserved for those using Saddle Ranch) so read street signs carefully since you will be in a residential area. I recommend getting there early for parking.

There are no maps, so if it is your first time I recommend looking at this picture-by-picture guide of the hike http://hollywoodsigntrip.com/hollywood-sign-trail.shtml.  If you go right/ up at the paved fork you will reach the satellites and overlook the sign.  On a clear day you can see the ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County and more.

 If you go left/down at the paved fork it makes for a much better picture in front of the sign.  

The choice is yours! Usually most people explore both paths on the same hike.

3. Bridge To Nowhere (I highly recommend Bungee jumping)

The Bridge to Nowhere is a HIKE; 5 miles there and 5 miles back through rocky terrain and several creek beds.  It is not for the faint hearted since you pack in and pack out lunch and water.  If you want a full day adventure, this hike is for you.  

Bridge to Nowhere is located in the San Gabriel Mountains, just 20 miles north of the City of Azusa, CA.  The bridge was built in 1936, but road to the bridge was washed away during the California’s flood in 1938.  At the Bridge you can bungee jump, which I highly recommend if you are going to hike all that way.

 Bungee America has a perfect safety record, always a plus if you ever consider jumping off a bridge.  Bungee America uses a braided bungee cord, meaning if one ever snapped you would have 3 others, and they connect the bungee to a harness, not your ankles.  Their website does a great job outlining all the things you will need for the hike and where to park, so even if you choose not to bungee jump check out the website’s packing list.  http://www.bungeeamerica.com/bungee/  

In my opinion the trail wasn’t that well marked since you do have to cross several streams, which is why I really enjoyed going with the group.  However, if you have navigational skills and a map, there are plenty of people around to ask for directions.  

*Do note it is hot and on the bridge in summer it can get to 100 degrees so pack lots of water and layers.  

For More Great Hikes in LA Check Out:

Bronson Canyon @ Griffith Park

Coral Canyon

Eaton Canyon

Escondido Canyon

Los Liones Trail to Parker Mesa Overlook @ Topanga

Mount Baldy

Newbury Park

Point Dume

Runyon Canyon

Solstice Canyon / Rising Sun Trail

Trump National Golf Course Ocean Trails