Griffith Park Trail Run

GRIFFITH PARK TRAIL RUN

DISTANCE: 4.55 Miles
ELEVATION: 1280'
ELEVATION GAIN: 720'
TYPE: Loop
HIKING TIME: 2 - 2.5 Hours
RATING: Strenuous 1st third, but becomes moderate to
easy on the return
FEATURES: Vistas of San Gabriel Mtns. and Bee Rock,
passes Amir's Garden, portion of the trail is
single-track user path

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

As a runner, this is one of my favorite trails in the park. Running one direction gives a steady, but moderate climb on single-track trail for endurance training, while running the other way starts with a strenuous, heart-pounding ascent to build power. But it's also great hike for those who just want to walk. In a 4.5 mile loop you will get to experience all the different types of terrain in the park while feasting your eyes on some delicious mountain landscapes. The trail begins with a fairly steep, but short climb to Amir's Garden, a delightful cultivated garden with walking paths and picnic tables. Pushing uphill from Amir's Garden you will skirt the Toyon Landfill on dirt fire road, passing a unique bluff cave rock formation before reaching the closed Vista del Valle Road. You will continue along Vista del Valle walking in the shade of Eucalyptus, Oak and Pine while taking in views of the San Gabriel Mountains to the east. The unique geologic striations of the rock underlying the mountains of Griffith Park have been revealed by the construction of the road. At Water Tank 13 you'll begin your descent on single-track trail through a mix of woodlands and coastal chaparral featuring great views of Bee Rock, Beacon Hill and Mt. Bell. Your trek ends on the gently rolling hills of a dirt fire road that parallels Griffith Park Drive. And while making your hike, see if you can spot the abandoned swimming pool perched on a lower peak in the canyon below Amir's Garden.

Click the full frame icon in the upper right corner for a larger map in a separate window.

Directions to Trailhead

Mineral Wells Road at Griffith Park Drive, near the golf driving range.

Exit the 134 at Forest Lawn Drive and proceed .3 mile.
Turn right at the light onto Zoo Drive and proceed .2 mile.
Turn left at the stop sign onto Griffith Park Drive and proceed 1.3 miles.
Turn right into the Mineral Wells Picnic Area.

Trailhead is located on the dirt fire road at the entrance of the Mineral Wells Picnic Area. Rest rooms and water are available in the Mineral Wells Picnic Area.

Griffith Park Trail Run Trail Guide
Click for printable .pdf map and trail guide.

Parking

Park in the Mineral Wells Picnic Area off Griffith Park Drive near
the golf driving range.

Rest Room & Water Fountain

Rest Rooms and a water fountain are located in the Mineral
Wells Picnic Area.

Trailhead

The trailhead is located at the entrance of Mineral Wells Spring
picnic area. Here you will find three intersecting dirt fire roads.
Take the very steep center road uphill for .45 mile to Amir's
Garden. You may stop and explore the garden or make the hairpin
turn to the right and continue for another .3 mile to the next trail
junction. As you climb this ridge, look down to your left and see if
you can spy the abandoned swimming pool at the Griffith Park
Boys Camp.

Amir's Garden

A ruggedly cultivated garden with walking paths, picnic areas and
a water fountain. Make the turn to your right and continue uphill.

Water Fountain

Amir's Garden water fountain is located in the upper picnic area.

Trail Junction 1

As you pass the water tank you will approach a T intersection.
Turn left and continue uphill following the perimeter of the Toyon
Landfill for .7 mile.

This section can get very muddy during rainy season with thick
sticky clay that clumps to your shoes.

Bluff Cave

A weathered bluff has formed a shallow cave-like structure in the
face of the rock.

Trail Junction 2

The dirt fire road ends at Vista del Valle Drive, a paved, but closed
to vehicular traffic, roadway. Turn left onto Vista del Valle Drive
and continue for .35 mile.

Trail Junction 3

Look for a set of concrete stairs heading down to a water tank. As
you hike past the water tank the trail will become a single-track
path. You can stick with the single-track or pick up the dirt fire road.
The fire road is more level, but a little longer. The single-track will
take you through heavy brush and a steeper decline. The distance
is also a bit shorter. The trail guide will follow the single-track.

Water Fountain

There is a water fountain connected directly to the water tank at
the base of the stairs. If you haven't already spotted it, the
abandoned swimming pool can be seen from the back of the water
tank.

Trail Junction 4

The single-track briefly converges with the fire road. A short
distance ahead you will see the single-track veering off the road to
the left. Continue on the single-track.

Picnic Table

A hidden backcountry picnic table makes a nice spot to rest.

Trail Junction 5

The single-track again crosses the fire road on a diagonal line.
Continue on the single-track veering off to the right. Continue for
the next .27 mile to the next junction.

Trail Junction 6

The single-track crosses the fire road for the last time. There is a
park bench here with a fine view of the golf course and San
Gabriel Mountains in the distance. Cross the fire road and continue
on the single-track for .3 mile.

Scenic Views of Bee Rock

A number of nice views of Bee Rock and the surrounding
mountains can be seen along this section of the trail.

Trail Junction 7

As you leave the single-track path you will find yourself back on the
fire road. Turn left and continue for .7 mile, winding your way
through the dense foliage of the park's lower slopes. The road is a
series of rolling hills with several short, but steep climbs. If you
prefer, you may walk along Griffith Park Drive for a more level hike.

Water Fountain

Fill up your water bottle in this small picnic cove as you prepare for
the final section of the hike.

Trail Junction 8

Cross a dirt maintenance access road and continue for .15 mile.

Trail Junction 9

The fire road intersects with Griffith Park Drive and Camp Road.
Cross Camp Road and continue .5 mile, traveling behind the golf
club parking area, and curving to your left to follow Griffith Park
Drive along the driving range.

End of Trail

Congratulations! You have completed the 3.5 mile Griffith Park
Trail Run and returned to the Mineral Wells Spring picnic area.
If you're not at Mineral Wells Picnic Area. . .you've done something
wrong!