An Uncrowded Urban Oasis in Verdugos

One would expect the Verdugo Mountains to be a popular place to hike, given that they’re surrounded by four freeways and the cities of Los Angeles, Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena.

Such is not the case. This 13-mile-long, three-mile-wide range remains surprisingly underappreciated. Awareness of the mountains may increase soon, thanks to the Stough Canyon Nature Center, which opened in March in the hills above Burbank. The center boasts fine exhibits, including some on Native American history, and its docents lead interpretive hikes. The November schedule includes full-moon evening hikes, a bird-watching walk and a fitness walk.

The Glendale Parks and Recreation Department intends to promote the mountains and celebrate their charms when it hosts the Verdugo Hills Community Hikes 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. Hikes begin at three trail heads and converge at Fire Warden’s Grove on the mountains’ crest.

For $5, hikers who preregister will get lunch at the grove and a walking stick. Hikers may register by calling Glendale Parks and Recreation at (818) 548-2184.

La Tuna Canyon Hike (nine miles round trip) begins by Interstate 210 on the north side of the mountains. It visits quiet canyons, then ascends to a crest and Fire Warden’s Grove. It’s one of my favorite jaunts along the edge of urban life. Experienced hikers will enjoy the 14-mile round-trip trek from Brand Park in Glendale to Fire Warden’s Grove. Views from the ridge crest are superb on clear days.

The hike I’m describing in more detail this week is a loop that starts at the Stough Canyon Nature Center and runs to Fire Warden’s Grove. It’s the shortest route to the crest but not the easiest.

From the nature center, the trail climbs out of Stough Canyon onto brushy slopes blanketed with sage, scrub oak, toyon, monkey flower and lemonade berry. The path leads east to Fire Warden’s Grove, a stand of conifers planted by the Los Angeles County Department of Forestry in the 1930s. The department’s fire wardens patrolled the Verdugos until 1953, when the agency was combined with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

From the ridge above the grove, hikers enjoy great views of Griffith Park in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Mountains and downtown L.A. On a clear day, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Los Angeles Harbor and Santa Catalina Island are visible.

Directions to trail head: From Interstate 5 in Burbank, exit onto Olive Avenue. Drive 11/4 miles northeast toward the mountains to Sunset Canyon Drive. Turn left, drive three-quarters of a mile to Walnut Avenue, turn right and go north one mile to road’s end and the parking lot below Stough Canyon Nature Center.

The hike: Walk north on the dirt fire road, which climbs the brushy west wall of Stough Canyon. A half-mile ascent brings you to a junction: The fire road continues north, while a footpath bends west. Take the footpath, first to an overlook of the Burbank airport and the San Fernando Valley (as well as a not-so-inspiring landfill). Walk another half-mile to a building foundation and chimney--all that is left of a 1920s-era youth camp.

Past the ruins, the trail climbs briefly and bends east to meet Verdugo Fire Road. Turn right and you’ll pass a fire road on the right. This road returns to the nature center and completes a family-friendly, 21/2-mile hike.

For those seeking a longer trek, pass a junction with left-branching La Tuna Canyon Trail and ascend two more miles to Fire Warden’s Grove. Picnic among the pines, an area also called Experimental Forest, Plantation Forest or Enchanted Forest.

The road splits just as you approach the grove. Verdugo Fire Road continues east into the main part of the grove. Take the right fork, heading south to the base of a communications facility and the signed Link Trail.

Link Trail extends to De Bell Municipal Golf Course. At first I thought this path should have been named Links Trail for its golf connection, but then I discovered it was built to link Wildwood Canyon and Stough parks. Unfortunately the link is broken by the golf course, so hikers must walk 11/4 miles on paved roads and sidewalks to complete a loop. (No wonder Mark Twain said, “Golf is a good walk spoiled.”)

The trail begins with a knee-jarring descent down a ridgeline on tight switchbacks and stair steps. Ignore a couple of left-branching connector trails to Wildwood Canyon Park; continue until you’re near the intersection of Wildwood Canyon Road and Harvard Road.

Walk west on Harvard Road about a quarter-mile to De Bell Drive, turn right and walk carefully (there’s no shoulder) a half-mile past the golf course to Walnut Avenue. Turn right and walk on the sidewalk north another half-mile back to the nature center and the trail head.”

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For more of John McKinney’s tips, visit https://www.thetrailmaster.com.