Dear LACPA Members,

Per Rob:

This is a lollipop loop on the more rugged and less traveled northern side of Griffith Park.  We start at the Zoo parking lot and rise up along the Skyline Trail with views of Burbank and the Verdugo Mountains.  We branch off onto the Condor Trail along the back of the LA Zoo, hearing the whoops of Howler Monkeys and glimpsing California Condors being nursed to health before being released into the wild.  After descending into the Mineral Wells Picnic Area and taking in the LA Composting Center, we pick up the Oak Canyon Trail.  Oak Canyon takes us through a grove of ancient, tangled oak trees, peaceful and serene and rumored to be the home of the last Ent in North America.  We then link back up with Skyline and climb up again over the Train Museum and views of the snow capped San Gabriel Mountains.  Wildflowers are in bloom on this part of Skyline, maybe not as brilliant as out in Mojave, but impressive nonetheless.  We keep along Skyline, past Rattlesnake Trail and back out to the zoo parking lot.  

This is a moderate hike, 5.1 miles long, that should take 2 and a half hours at an easy pace.  There are short, relatively steep inclines but also long stretches of level ground.  There is also an opportunity to shorten the trail half way through for a 3.2 mile hike if needed. 

We will meet at 9 am at the north western corner of the Los Angles Zoo Parking lot.  Come to the back edge of the parking lot, by the electric car charging station, and look for Rob Kretz and his red Tesla.  For directions, you can’t beat Google maps or your car navigation system, but here goes:

Coming from the west valley, you would take the 101 to the 134 East, get off at Victory  Ave Exit.  Make a right off the exit and get in the left hand lane, you will make an immediate left onto Zoo Drive.  Look for the Zoo Parking lot coming up quickly on your right, make a right into the lot.  From the east, Pasadena and beyond, take 134 through Glendale, get off Forest Lawn Drive, make a left at the stop sign, then a left onto Zoo drive.  Follow Zoo Drive for about a mile, looking for the zoo parking lot on your right. Again, come back to the edge of the parking lot over by the electric car charging station and look for Rob Kretz and his red Tesla.  

Please RSVP to [email protected] and I will pass along all responses to Rob.  We wait for those who RSVP, so if your plans change, make sure to let me know.  Also, please provide me with your cell phone number, which I will provide to Rob, in case of any last minute problems.  When you RSVP, I will also provide you with Rob’s cell phone number and email address, in case you have any last minute changes.