Hike 2014.032 -- Griffith Observatory to Burbank Peak

Hiked Wednes-day, June 18. I'll probably skip blogging the last Eaton Canyon to Henninger Flats hike (2014.033, Sunday, June 22), just because there's not much to add to a hike I've done so many times before.

Of course, this one, I've done many times, too. But not as frequently as Henninger Flats.

First thing to note is that the George Harrison Tree that used to be at the north end of the Observatory lot is no more. It became diseased and was cut down over the past month or so. The picture at the top of this post shows the stone marker and the stump where the tree once grew.

And it seems like only yesterday I even learned it existed. :(

I took the Charlie Turner trail on up around Mt. Hollywood, then continued to the north. My goal was to follow the series of trails that take you up and along the series of ridges and peaks that separate Los Angeles from Burbank, eventually making my way up to near the back of Mt. Lee (with the Hollywood sign), then on to the west, over Cahuenga Peak, then Burbank Peak.

This is by far my favorite hike in the park, simply because you spend so much of it straddling the various divides, and looking across an awful lot of southern California.

I also like it because of some memorable pictures I got on a hike here last year.

Quite simply, it's the perfect summer hike from the Obser-vatory (for me). If I leave after a morning shift (finish at 5pm), there's just enough time for me to make it to Burbank Peak and back to the Observatory. The sun may even have set by the time I get back, but the trail the last two miles or so is wide and smooth. And the city lights are beautiful on the return from Mt. Hollywood.

One annoying incident on this hike was some stupid pinheads were tossing rocks over the back of Mt. Lee as I made my way on the road. I warned them people were walking below, but they laughed and kept tossing more, so it was obviously intentional. And did I mention stupid? Irresponsible and stupid.

Not too many flowers for me to photograph on this trip. The yucca were the most impressive bloom, as they have been at several local hikes over the past few weeks. There were also plenty of buckwheat, which I did not photograph. Quite a lot of Indian pink, as well, but those did not photograph well.

Finally, there was this blue flower that I did not recognize, but did photograph.

Other than the pinheaded buttheads on the top of Mt. Lee, the hike was fine. Despite some uncertainty as to if I really did have time to make to Burbank Peak and back, I eventually went ahead. Stayed on the actual peak for about twelve seconds, of course, because I had some distance to make it back.

In fact, I probably had more time than I thought. The sun was only just setting as I was already back on the relatively flat dirt road that would eventually loop back around Mt. Hollywood.

Meanwhile, atop Mt. Hollywood, a whole lot of folks where there. Councilman Tom LaBonge was doing a near-summer solstice hike, and several "classic" cars were also up there, presumably part of his entourage.

As I made my way around Mt. Hollywood, I decided to return via the east end of the loop. No particular reason why. Just hadn't gone this way in a while.

The east route takes you closer to Glendale, and also lets you look down upon Glendale Peak and an extended section of Vista del Valle Road, a paved road that is closed to private vehicular traffic. It's a hiking and biking path.

About 7-8 miles roundtrip. As I said, a nice post-work hike