Verdugo Peak

VERDUGO PEAK HIKE

DISTANCE: 4.6 Miles Roundtrip
ELEVATION: 3,126'
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,532'
TYPE: Out-and-Back
HIKING TIME: 2.5 Hours
RATING: Strenuous
FEATURES: Vistas of San Fernando and Crescenta Valleys
and San Gabriel Mountains

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

At 3,126', Verdugo Peak is the second tallest peak in the mountains that surround the San Fernando Valley and is the highest vantage point in the Verdugo Mountains proper. The mountain itself is incredibly close with the trailhead to the summit only minutes from downtown Burbank, but getting to the top is a bit more challenging. Almost the entirety of the 1500' ascent is accomplished in the first half of the hike on a narrow, twisting single-track use path, making for a steep, delightfully wicked climb. Once you make it to the ridgeline, the hike becomes a stroll along a groomed dirt fire road, the Verdugo Motorway, all the way to the summit of Verdugo Peak. Along the way you will be treated to breath-taking views of the San Fernando and Crescenta Valleys, with the San Gabriel Mountains serving as a backdrop to the east. The Plantation Lateral Overlook offers a picnic spot with a view and the only shade along the trail. With Verdugo Peak you get it all: break a sweat, bag a peak, beat a challenge and take in a view!

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

Directions to Trailhead

WIldwood Canyon Park
1701 Wildwood Canyon Road
Burbank, CA

When you enter Wildwood Canyon Park, drive about a half mile on Wildwood Canyon Road to the third stone arch on your left. The arch and nearby restroom facilities mark the trailhead. Park on your right.

Verdugo Peak Trail Guide
Click for printable .pdf map and trail guide.

Trailhead, Parking, Rest Rooms & Water

The trailhead is located at the third stone arch on Wildwood Canyon Road.
Restroom facilities and water are available at the trailhead. Parking is located directly
opposite the trailhead.

Pass through the arch and follow the trail around the rest rooms for .3 miles to Trail
Junction 1. The steepness begins to reveal itself quickly as you climb above the oaks
and sycamores of the picturesque canyon toward the rawer lower ridge of Wildwood
Canyon Trail.

Trail Junction 1 - Wildwood Canyon Trail

The access trail you have been climbing intersects with the Wildwood Canyon Trail.
Make a hard right turn and continue uphill for another .2 mile the the Vital Link Trail
Junction located on the left side of the trail.

As you make this ascent, you will get your first glimpses of the San Fernando Valley
and Griffith Park in the distance as Wildwood Canyon falls away below you.

Trail Junction 2 - Vital Link Trail

A stone pedestal with a map embedded in it marks the start of the Vital Link Trail to
the upper ridge. Make a hard left onto the Link Trail and continue uphill for 1 mile. If
you thought the trail was steep to this point, it's about to get a whole lot steeper!
Much of the elevation you will accumulate on this hike happens in this section
through a series of tight switchbacks zigzagging up the mountain. The foot rails you
see along the path are less for safety than for trying to keep people on the
switchbacks. DO NOT CUT SWITCHBACKS. Doing so damages the trail and causes
erosion. Besides, you chose this trail for the challenge and cutting is cheating!

Trail Junction 3 - Alternative Trail

At this junction you have the option of continuing to the right for a more moderate
climb or huffing up the steep switchback to the left. Going to the right will add about
.2 mile to your hike, but if you're looking for a small break in the climb, it might be
worth considering.

Trail Junction 4

The brutal part of the hike is over; it's pretty much all smooth sailing from here. If you
need to catch your breath, the Willie Mann Memorial chair is a few steps away and is
a good place to sit and take in the views before continuing.

When you're ready to head for the summit, follow the trail past the radio facility and
continue across a concrete slab. Just after the slab the trail will briefly become a
single-track and descend to meet up with the Verdugo Motorway. From this point
until you reach Verdugo Peak you will have sweeping views of the Crescenta Valley
and the San Gabriel Mountains.

You can also pick up the Verdugo Motorway at the Willie Mann Chair, but I prefer to
stick to the single-tracks where possible and the following directions reflect that. The
single-track will offer more varied terrain, whereas the motorway will be flatter and
more even.

Trail Junction 5 - Warden's Grove

At the junction with the Verdugo Motorway, a dirt fireroad, you will bear to the right for
approximately .2 mile. The pine trees you see to your left are part of Warden's Grove,
planted in the 1930s.

Plantation Lateral Overlook

This side trip to the overlook provides a nice respite from the sun with shade
provided by several large trees and bench. The overlook provides the only shade
along the ridge and is a nice place for a picnic. Hiking to and from the overlook will
add .2 mile to your total mileage.

Trail Junction 6

Veer to your right onto a single-track trail along the top of the ridge. This is a short
trail of only about .1 mile, but it gets you off the fire road for a little more rugged feel.
If you prefer not to make the slight climb, you may stay on the fire road.

Trail Junction 7

Rejoin the Verdugo Motorway and continue .2 mile to the intersection with the
Hostetter Fire Road.

Trail Junction 8

At the intersection, turn right and continue approximately .1 and look for the single-
track trail veering off to the left.

Trail Junction 9

Veer off the fire road onto the single-track trail heading up toward the antenna
installation for about .05 mile. You may also continue on the Verdugo Motorway
which will bring you to the backside of the antenna. The single-track is a shortcut.

Trail Junction 10

Cross the Verdugo Motorway and up onto the paved road. Follow the paved road
around the the concrete structure to a makeshift bench at the summit of Verdugo
Peak.