The LACPA Hiking Club is pleased to announce our next hike.

It will take place on Sunday, October 1st, from 9:00 AM - about noon in Griffith Park. Our starting point will be at the trailhead just “below” the Mineral Wells Picnic Area. It is a little tricky to get to this location on the weekends, since Griffith Park Drive is blocked off to through traffic from the west end of the park on the weekends. So please follow the directions below for traveling from either the San Fernando Valley or from points south east of the park towards downtown to be sure you arrive successfully.

This is a moderate hike along a few different trails that will take us through several parts of the park, including a short stop at Amirs Garden for a rest, a snack and some enjoyable foliage and views. As always, hiking boots are recommended, but a good pair of trail shoes with some tread should be fine. Please bring water, sunscreen, a hat and a snack. This route has very little if any shade. Hopefully our cooler weather will hold, making this a pleasant fall hike.

Directions from the San Fernando Valley: Take the 101 Freeway to the 134 Freeway and exit at Victory Blvd. Make a right turn off the freeway and then a quick left onto Zoo Drive. Follow Zoo Drive past the Zoo on the right, the Autrey Museum on the left, and the golf courses on both sides for about 2 miles to Griffith Park Drive. (Zoo Drive becomes Crystal Springs Drive as the road curves toward the golf courses.) Turn right on Griffith Park Drive and follow this road up and around the other side of one of the golf courses until you reach the sign for the Mineral Wells Picnic Area. This is about 1.2 miles from your right hand turn onto Griffith Park Drive, and you will be heading back in a similar direction from which you came. (This is because the more direct route is blocked on the weekends for the safety of bicycle riders.) You will see the picnic area pretty much in front of you, with the sign. The trailhead where we will begin our hike is just on your left. There is a small parking area there as well as plenty of street parking.

Directions from the southeast, downtown area: The the 5 Freeway to the Griffith Park Drive Exit and stay to the left into Griffith Park (the ramp goes over the freeway and into the park). Turn right onto Crystal Springs Drive and travel about 1 mile to Griffith Park Drive, which will be on your left. Make a left turn onto Griffith Park Drive and follow the directions above (for coming from the San Fernando Valley), beginning from the right hand turn onto Griffith Park Drive.

Please RSVP to [email protected] and let me know that you are planning to join us. We wait a few minutes for those who have RSVP’d. Please also let me know if you change your mind! Please provide me with your cell phone number so I can reach you in case of any last minute changes.

Hope you can make it as the terrible summer heat prevented us from hiking in August.

Fondly,

Andi Ackerman - Hiking Club Leader
[email protected]
818.426.0674 (cell)