Cahuenga Peak rises over Griffith Park, offering excellent views of Los Angeles, Burbank, and that iconic landmark, the Hollywood Sign. Wonder View Trail climbs to the top of Cahuenga Peak from the west, then crosses a saddle to reach the Hollywood Sign at the top of Mount Lee. If you are looking for a shorter hike to the sign than the tradition 6.4-mile outing from Canyon Drive, consider this 3-mile round trip hike, which ascends 925 feet over a rugged single-track to visit two peaks while providing a good workout on a less-traveled trail.
The first thing to note is there is no parking at the trailhead, or along the top of Wonder View Drive. Don’t be dissuaded. Instead, utilize the free street parking along Lake Hollywood Drive and hike a paved quarter mile up Wonder View Drive to the start of the trail. Walk through the yellow gate at the end of the drive and make the first right, after the road turns to dirt, on an unmarked single-track heading east up the mountain. Wonder View Trail ascends the lush southern slope of Cahuenga Peak, rapidly gaining elevation. The radio towers atop Mount Lee are in view straight ahead, marking the destination. Half a mile from the end of the road (and 575 feet higher), the steep rocky trail reaches a ridge running west from the peak.
To the right, the trail continues up Cahuenga Peak, while to the left, a short path follows the ridge out to a well-positioned tree that provides a resting place with nice views over Burbank and Hollywood.
Follow the track east along the ridge toward Cahuenga Peak. The trail is more gradual now, climbing 175 feet over 1/3 mile to the summit. The northern slopes are recovering robustly from wildfire damage, but there are several scorched remnants along this side of the mountain.
Cahuenga Peak is the twelfth highest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains at 1,820 feet, and offers excellent views over the east side of the range. The peak is linked to Hollywood history, having been purchased in the 1930s by Howard Hughes who desired to build a home here for Ginger Rogers. She refused, and decades later a group of investors set out to build a housing development on the peak. This time it was the citizens of Los Angeles who refused. In April of 2010, Cahuenga Peak was rescued from impending development by the Save the Sign campaign, which purchased the peak and donated it to Los Angeles to become part of Griffith Park.
Continuing east from the summit, the trail drops across a saddle that connects Cahuenga Peak to Mount Lee. There is a nice view of Lake Hollywood to the south, and the main attraction is just ahead. Cross a shorter undulation in the ridge for a clear view of the backside of the Hollywood Sign. For a closer look, follow the single-track to the end, where it runs straight into a chain link fence. Don’t worry, you aren’t trespassing. Turn left and loop around the fence, stepping out on Mount Lee Road. Hang a right and take the paved road up to the top of Mount Lee for a view of the back of the tall famous letters through the chain link fence. Mount Lee is 120 feet shorter and less than 0.4 mile from Cahuenga Peak, making it easy to visit both summits.
After taking in the view from above this LA landmark, simple return the way you came for a three-mile round trip hike. Wonder View Trail provides a great outing for those who want to see the Hollywood Sign, but prefer to hike a rugged single-track instead of refined paved and dirt fire roads. Wonder View Trail climbs a fair amount of elevation over a relatively short distance, making it a fulfilling hike that is great for entertaining out-of-town visitors. There is no fee or permit required to hike Cahuenga Peak, so get out and enjoy.
To get to the trailhead: From the 101 Freeway exit Barham Blvd north. After 1/3 mile, turn right at the light onto Lake Hollywood Drive. Take this winding road for half a mile to the intersection with Wonder View Drive. Park along the street and begin hiking up Wonder View Drive.
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