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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.

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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.

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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.

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Trail Junction 1

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Picture
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

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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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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.

Picture
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.

Picture
Trail Junction 8

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

Picture
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.


Picture
Trail Junction 10

        You will reach this junction in about .4 mile.  Continue straight on 
        the dirt road for another .2 mile to reach the parking lot.

LIghtbox feature now active. Click on any trail photo for a larger version.
Picture
Trail Junction 2
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Travel Town Water Tank
Royce's Canyon
Royce's Canyon Trailhead on Mt. Hollywood Drive
Royce's Canyon Cave
Royce's Canyon Cave
Inside Royce's Canyon Cave
Inside Royce's Canyon Cave
Mt. Hollywood Drive
Mt. Hollywood Drive
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Scenic View
Haunted Picnic Table
Haunted Picnic Table 29
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End of Out-and-Back Trail
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Trail Junction 5 From Below Junction
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Prehistoric Beast or Weathered Rock?
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Toyon Landfill Perimeter Trail
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Scenic View
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