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ADVISORY NOTICE: All hiking trails in the Verdugo Mountains are currently closed due to the La Tuna Canyon Fire that consumed nearly 6,000 acres over Labor Day Weekend. Updated 9/3/17.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Picture
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.

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Trail Junction 7

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

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Trail Junction 8

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

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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.

Picture
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.

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End of Trail, Verdugo Peak, 3126'

        Congratulations!  Enjoy the view.  To return to the trailhead simply retrace your 
        steps.

LIghtbox feature now active. Click on any trail photo for a larger version.
Picture
Verdugo Peak Trailhead
Picture
Wildwood Canyon from the Wildwood Canyon Trail
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Vital Link Trailhead on the Wildwood Canyon Trail
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One of the many switchbacks on the Vital Link Trail
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Crescenta Valley and San Gabriel Mountains
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Warden's Grove
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Plantation Lateral Overlook
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Sunset Canyon from Verdugo Peak

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