Join us this Sunday for a very pleasant hike - kind of a secret gem - in the hills between Studio City and Beverly Hills. It's the Betty B. Dearing Trail to Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook (and back), but I'm calling it the "Betty to Nancy" Trail for short! A semi-shaded, narrow trail that weaves up and down across preserved wooded canyons (thank you conservationists Betty and Nancy!), behind houses, with vistas of the San Fernando Valley, varied landscapes, a tiny stream, even a secret swing! A sweet refuge from the city, in chaparral and Oak woodland. I'll also point out native plants along the trail.
Distance: 5-mile out-and-back trail
Elevation gain: 971 ft.
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate. Some steeper sections but very manageable for the moderately active hiker. Ups and downs across canyons. Hiking poles may help those who need extra support.
Important directions:
We will begin at TreePeople's headquarters in Coldwater Canyon Park. Read directions page.
Google Maps location: 12601 Mulholland Dr, Studio City, CA 91604
Also listed as 12601 Mulholland Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. (I know, confusing)
Arrive early to find parking and walk over! Carpooling is highly recommended to reduce vehicles. There is a parking lot, but it may be full, and with slow traffic on those streets. If full, find parking along surrounding streets, e.g. safe turnouts along Coldwater Canyon Ave., along Franklin Canyon Dr., etc. Pay attention to no parking signs, and please cross carefully!
Do not get confused and go to the other Coldwater Canyon Park in the City of Beverly Hills at 1100 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. That is a different park with the same name. We are not meeting there.
Schedule
* Don't forget Daylight Savings Time - the clock springs forward 1 hour Sunday at 2 am
10:30 AM or before. Arrive early to explore the TreePeople / Coldwater Canyon Park site on your own. There are educational displays, views, shorter trails, an amphitheater, native plant nursery, restrooms.
10:45 AM Meet at the tree with the ring of stump seats (near the plant nursery). We'll do introductions & then our hike departs!
We will hike the Betty B. Dearing Trail through Fryman Canyon, and reach the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook around 12:30 PM. After a break, we will hike back the way we came, returning to TreePeople's headquarters in Coldwater Canyon Park around 2 pm. The hike is interesting both ways.
AllTrails hike description of our trail. While hiking, you can follow along our trail using the app's map to see where we are on the route. Note: We are starting at the opposite end (Coldwater Canyon Park) of what is described on AllTrails.
Bring: Ample water, lunch/snacks, sun protection, proper footwear (trail running or hiking shoes). Suggested 10 essential items.
Health Problems/allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader if you wish.
After the hike: If folks are interested to have a late lunch or drink, we might find a restaurant around Studio City. Bring your suggestions.
Environmentalist history! We wouldn't be hiking these trails if it weren't for these nature preservationists:
On March 9, 1986 (exactly 39 years ago!), "about 150 hikers braved a driving rainstorm to attend dedication ceremonies for Studio City’s first mountain hiking trail. Officials ignored the weather to open the five-mile-long Betty B. Dearing Mountain Trail, named after Betty Dearing, a Studio City homemaker who waged a 25-year fight to preserve open space by opposing new housing tracts in the hills south of the San Fernando Valley.
"The overlook was named in 1998 in honor of Fryman Canyon resident Nancy Hoover Pohl, who for more than 60 years fought to save natural lands in the Santa Monica Mountains." She persuaded the City of LA to curb and regulate hillside development, she convinced politicians to stop a Laurel Canyon Freeway from being cut through the mountains, and she created local parkland. "Her efforts enabled the acquisition of Fryman Canyon Park which can be accessed from the overlook, as well as Coldwater Canyon Park and Wilacre Park. Nancy Hoover Pohl was also instrumental in the establishment of the Betty B. Dearing Mountain Trail, which is also accessible from the overlook."
Hike leader: Bryan Matsumoto outreach-la@greatoutdoors.org
