Royce's Canyon

ROYCE'S CANYON HIKE

DISTANCE: 5.8 Miles Roundtrip
ELEVATION: 1330'
ELEVATION GAIN: 610'
TYPE: Out-and-Back with Loop Option
HIKING TIME: 3 Hours
RATING: Moderate
FEATURES: Vistas of San Fernando Valley, Verdugo
Mtns., paved road, small cave, family friendly,
few hikers compared to other more popu-
lated areas of the park

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Royce's Canyon is a canyon saved. Slated for development as a landfill, activists, led by Royce Neuschatz, mounted a fierce campaign to halt the planned filling of this secluded canyon with city trash. Ms Neuschatz and her followers were rewarded for their efforts when the city abandoned its plans in the late 80s. When the former Parks and Recreation Commissioner passed away from cancer at the age of 57, the canyon was renamed in her honor. The trail follows Mt. Hollywood Drive, a closed to vehicular traffic roadway, as it winds its way around the upper perimeter of the canyon. There are fewer visitors to this backside of the park, making for a much more private hike than to more popular sites like Mt. Hollywood or the Griffith Observatory. The hike is a fairly steady moderate uphill climb, mitigated somewhat by the fact it is paved and is ideal for parents who want to get a bit of a workout while pushing a stroller. Portions of the trail flatten out for extended sections with only one really steep area near the end. Depending on the time of day, much of the roadway is covered in shade from overhanging oak, chestnut and sycamore trees. Climbing to the upper reaches of the canyon you will pass grand vistas, quiet coves, a haunted picnic table and, if you take the side trail into the canyon, a small cave. While hiking Royce's Canyon, take a moment to remember Ms Neuschatz and her good fight, for without her this lovely canyon would just be someone else's trash.

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

Directions to Trailhead

Griffith Park
5400 Griffith Park Drive, across from the Griffith Park Composting Facility
Los Angeles, CA 90027

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 .8 mile.
Turn right into the dirt parking lot across from the composting facility.

Trailhead is the dirt fire road located on the west side of the parking area. Do not cross Griffith Park Drive to the fire road opposite the parking lot next to the composting facility. That is a different trailhead.

Royce's Canyon Trail Guide
Click for printable .pdf map and trail guide.

Parking

Park in the dirt lot opposite the compost facility. Rest Rooms and
water are available in the Mineral Wells Picnic Area just around
the bend.

Trailhead

Opposite the parking area is a dirt fire road that begins the trail.
For parents pushing strollers, exit the parking area onto Griffith
Park Drive and turn left. The pavement and the fire road parallel
each other so you may take either. The pavement is an easier
climb and descent than the dirt fire road. Proceed about .25 mile
to the next trail junctions.

Trail Junction 1

At the fork, bear right and descend back toward Griffith Park Drive.

Trail Junction 2

As you reach the three-way stop on Griffith Park Drive, cross around
the white gate and onto Mt. Hollywood Drive. Mt. Hollywood Drive
is closed to vehicular traffic and as such is a favorite for hikers,
joggers and cyclists. You will stay on Mt. Hollywood Drive for
approximately 2.5 miles until it intersects with Vista del Valle Drive.
The hike is mostly moderate with a few easy flat sections. The last
.5 mile becomes steeper.

Travel Town Water Tank

In about a .5 mile you will reach the Travel Town Water Tank.
A short retaining wall on the western side of the tank makes for a
nice resting area. Views to the northeast include the Verdugo
Mountains. The stark white firebreak of the Mt. Thom Trail can be
clearly seen climbing its way to the summit of Mt. Thom.

Trail Junction 3 - Royce's Canyon Descent

In roughly .75 mile you will reach a sign marking the beginning of a
   dirt fire road which veers off the pavement and descends into the
   depths of Royce's Canyon. It's an interesting side trip with a small
   pocket cave at the end. Bear in mind as you hike this wooded trail
   that it came very close to being covered by landfill. You can learn
   more about the preservation efforts led by Royce Neuschatz at:
   http://articles.latimes.com/1999/nov/07/local/me-31120.

   When you're ready, continue along Mt. Hollywood drive.

Pocket Cave

Should you elect to venture down into the canyon, the fire road
winds its way to the very bottom. When the road ends, continue
on the single-track trail through the trees and underbrush. Scan
the slope directly in front of you for the black slit-like entrance to a
small cave. Use caution when approaching the cave as park
coyotes and even Puma-22 could be using it as a den. Retrace
your steps to return to Mt. Hollywood Drive.

Hiker's Rest

As you round the next sharp curve you will come upon a few
outbuildings and the backside of the Toyon Landfill. At around .2
mile from the last junction, and opposite an entrance to the landfill,
you will pass a small chair cut from a log on your right. It's not a lot
to see, but it's an interesting spot to sit for a second and reflect on
the landfill directly in front of you and the beautiful canyon behind
you.

Scenic View

After a nice stretch of relatively flat walking, you have begun to
climb again in a series of wide switchbacks, leaving the Toyon
Landfill behind. The road will become increasingly steep, but a
number of vistas open up for views of the Verdugo Mountains and
the San Fernando Valley. This marks one of the first good views.

Scenic View

The last and best of the views on this side of the mountains, this
viewing spot has a nice rock outcropping from which to view the
canyon and the valley beyond. From here it is steep uphill push
for about .33 mile to Vista del Valle Road.

Haunted Picnic Table # 29

   Just before you reach the intersection with Vista del Valle Drive, you
   will pass a picnic table with a large tree resting on top of it to your
   right. Legend has it a young couple were killed by the tree on
   Halloween Night many years ago. Their ghosts have reportedly
   prevented anyone from disturbing the tree. A park maintenance
   worker scoffed at the stories and went out late one afternoon to cut
   the tree away. His body was found the next morning after having
   died of apparent fright. The park service has left the tree alone
   ever since. You can read more about it here: Legend of the
   Haunted Picnic Table

Trail Junction 4

As you pass through a white gate, Vista del Valle Drive will come in
on your left. Continue straight on Mt. Hollywood Drive, angling
slightly to your right and through a second gate on the other side of
the intersection.

End of Trail

About 120' past the second gate you will reach the end of the trail
with a nice view across Los Feliz and into Hollywood. A dirt fire
road angling up to your right will take you to the summit of Mt.
Chapel should you desire to bag a peak on this hike.

When you're ready to head back, retrace your steps down Mt.
Hollywood Drive to the parking area. If, however, you would like to
complete a loop hike, the following directions will take you across
the Toyon Landfill for a different perspective on what Royce's
Canyon could have become. The loop trail will make for a slightly
shorter and quicker return to the parking lot, but travels mostly
over dirt and gravel fire road. If you came up the trail on a bike or
with a stroller, return the same way you came.

Otherwise, return to the intersection with Vista del Valle Drive and
turn right, proceeding .33 mile to the next junction.

Trail Junction 5

At the electrical tower, leave Vista del Valle Drive and take the dirt
road past the tower for .45 mile, passing a water tank on your right
at approximately .3 mile.

Bluff Cave

A short distance from the trail junction you will pass a weathered
cave-like structure some claim is the fossilized remains of a pre-
historic whale. If you look closely, you can make out the creatures
eye and ribs. Park Rangers and geologists say no, it's just a
weathered rock.

Trail Junction 6

As you approach the tiered levels of the Toyon Landfill, veer off the
main path to your left and take one of the dirt roads across the
landfill for .5 mile.

Picnic and Horse Hitching Area

There is a picnic area with table and horse hitches located here.
There are better places to picnic, but the benches do provide a
nice resting spot.

Trail Junction 7

As you leave the landfill you will intersect with a paved road.
Continue straight on the road for about 40 yards. If you turn right,
you will find yourself on an incredibly steep and possibly dangerous
descent. Make sure you continue straight toward the water tank
and outbuildings.

Trail Junction 8

At the intersection just before the water tank turn right and head
for the dirt fire road, traveling approximately 30 yards.

Trail Junction 9

Turn right at the fire road and begin your final descent toward the
parking lot. If you turn left at the fire road, you will reach a back
country water fountain in approximately .12 mile.