LONESOME PINE SUNSET HIKE
     
     DISTANCE: .78 Miles (one way)
    ELEVATION: 1690' (approximate)
     ELEVATION GAIN: 725'
     TYPE: Out-and-Back
     HIKING TIME: 20 minutes
     RATING:  Strenuous, but short
     FEATURES: Vistas of San Fernando Valley and Downtown 
                            LA as the sun sets behind the Santa Monica 
                            Mountains

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

---

For romantics, there may be no more romantic spot than the Lonesome Pine at sunset.  The trail is short, but steep and begins on the paved Wonder View Drive in Hollywood.  Where Wonder View Drive ends, the trail becomes a narrow, rocky single-track use path hugging the side of the mountain.  As you gain elevation, views of the Hollywood Reservoir and Downtown Los Angeles rise up to greet you.  At the summit are spectacular 360° panoramic views of the Los Angeles Basin and San Fernando Valley from beneath the iconic pine situated high atop Burbank Peak.  Flashlights are a necessity for the return trip, and while many romantic hikers like to bring along a bottle of wine to witness Mother Nature in action, it is highly discouraged on this hike.  The soil on the trail is very loose, and traversing it in the dark requires the full use of one's faculties as the drop offs are particularly steep.  But the twinkling city lights below with the sun setting behind the Santa Monica Mountains make this a trip worth taking all on it's own.

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

Directions to Trailhead

Wonder View Dr. & Lake Hollywood Dr.
Hollywood, CA

Exit the 101 at Barham Blvd and head north toward the San Fernando Valley and Burbank.  Proceed about .25 mile to Lake Hollywood Drive and turn right.  Continue for about another .5 mile.  You will pass a turn for Wonder View Drive on your right.  DO NOT take this turn.  Continue straight, passing the dirt lot on your right.  At the next intersection, Wonder View Drive continues straight ahead and Lake Hollywood Drive turns right.  Make the right turn and park on Lake Hollywood Drive.   Walk back to the intersection and turn right onto Wonder View Drive, following the light green metal fence.  The first .25 mile or so is through a residential neighborhood, so be courteous.  At the end of the street you will find a gate that marks the official start of the trail.

---

Lonesome Pine Sunset Hike Trail Guide
Click for downloadable PDF guide and map.

Parking

          Parking is available along Lake Hollyhood Dr.  Walk back to the 
          intersection with Wonder View Dr and turn right.  The first .25 mile 
          or so is through a residential neighborhood, so remember to be 
          courteous.

---

Unofficial Trailhead

       The trail doesn't officially begin until the end of Wonder View Dr., but
       this is where you begin your walk.

---

Trailhead

       Pass around the gate at the end of Wonder View Dr. and continue for
       a couple of hundred feet to the electrical tower.

---

Trail Junction 1

       Bear right at the electrical tower and past the bronze marker on to a
       narrow, rocky single-track use path and continue for approximately .5
       mile to the summit of Burbank Peak.

---

Trail Junction 2

The use path merges with the path from Cahuenga Peak.  Make note
         of the downward sloping rock as you will need to find this junction in 
         the dark on your return if you are hiking the trail for sunset.

---

Burbank Peak and the Lonesome Pine, 1690'

       Congratulations! You've reached the summit!  Enjoy the views and 
       don't forget to leave a message in the red tool box under the tree.

---

The Lonesome Pine

Official Trailhead at the end of Wonder View Drive

Trail Junction 1

Cahuenga Peak from trail

Downtown LA at twilight