Let's Do An EASY Hike!
Lake Hollywood Reservoir!
Distance: 4.2 miles | Elevation gain: 247 ft
Easy Urban Hike!
July 23 - Sunday 8:00 AM
Should it be an exceptionally hot day,
we will take it to a vote and offer a simple loop around the lake,
which is flat terrain.
Join us on Sunday, July 23rd at 8:00 am for an easy hike around Lake Hollywood (aka The Hollywood Reservoir). On this route we will also get front row seats to view the historic Hollywood Sign in Griffith Park! The Hollywood Sign sits at 1,558 feet above sea level, but we will walk a graceful incline of just 247 feet to get our unobstructed view.
There are only a few trails that lead to the Hollywood Sign and we will immediately jump on one of them for a short jaunt from the south dam of the Lake.
From the Hollywood Reservoir Dam (751 ft) we will touch on Montlake Drive, the main road that encricles the lake. Here is where many jog, bike or walk. We will be returning on Montlake Drive; but as our start, we will take a dirt trail just through an open gate off to the right. This dirt path beyond the gate is actually called Mulholland Hwy. Not even wide enough at points for two people to pass. Go figure.
Taking the path will offer us the opportunity to look down on the lake and the city beyond. The path will eventually meet up with a canyon road where most tourist motor via car to take their money shots. If you neglected to pack a snack, there may be a fruit cart waiting for you.
Once on the road, we will immediately head down toward the lake’s north shore. We will descend much faster than we ascended. It will take us into some residential streets which connects to the North East Gate of the lake.
The road that encircles the lake is wide, paved and flat. There is also a chain-linked fence that ropes off the lake. This road will take us back to our starting point. But hopefully not before seeing some friendly deer.
Before getting into our cars we will walk the dam to take more scenic pictures and a group shot if you are inclined.
HIKE RATING
I would rate this as an urban walk and an Easy hike for a few reasons.
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Much of what we will hike is paved
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The walk is 4.21 miles long
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There is a gradual incline of 247-foot over a distance of one mile.
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The remaining 3.21 miles is downhill or flat.
Depending on the group that gathers, we can add another one-third-mile of a trek one-way to a more secluded spot below the Hollywood sign. Note the blue line. Click on the map to view a constructed map of this hike in ALLTRAILS.
HOW TO GET TO THE SOUTH GATE
Below is the road I recommend taking to get to the Hollywood Reservoir: Clicking this link should open a Map to give you directions to this parking area.
When winding through the tight streets of the Hollywood Hills, you should come across a directional sign indicating you are on the right track to the Hollywood Reservoir.
There is a parking lot that can get full. Carpooling is encouraged. Just know that there is also parking on the side of the road leading up to the lot.
Here is a map to the Reservoir Trailhead from The Hollywood Freeway.
FUN FILM FACT ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN
In the 1974 film EARTHQUAKE, you can see the Hollywood Dam burst.
Despite being nearly destroyed twice in real life, the Hollywood Sign has been destroyed to smithereens in many a Hollywood disaster flick! Films featuring the destruction of the Hollywood Sign include:
ANY QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions about this hike, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, your trip leader, Robert Sandoval send an email to:
Outreach-OCLB@greatoutdoors.org
Once you have signed up, I will share my cell phone in the event you are running late.
If there are any last-minute day-of cancellations, please let me know via text.
We look forward to seeing many old familiar faces and some new.
Here is an ALL TRAILS map of the 'Lake Hollywood Loop'.
Many thanks goes to Bryan Cooper who introduced me to this Hollywood getaway years ago. I have since been here often.
Robert Sandoval pictured left above will be leading this hike.
Robert's email:
Outreach-OCLB@GreatOutdoors.org
What to Bring:
You should bring your ten essentials (Click here for the list.), a day pack, water (2 to 3 liters), trekking poles, sunscreen, hat, an trail snacks.
BRING PLENTY OF WATER!!!!
Carpooling is recommended to help reduce gas cost and parking may be a challenge. There is NO FEE for this trip.
