A fairly easy climb along a
ridge to Coldwater Canyon Park, then down onto a Studio City street. It's an
interesting mix of scenery, from wild canyons to valley 'burbs.
Location: Wilacre Park,
Coldwater Canyon Region: East SF Valley Distance: 3.0-mile loop
Difficulty: Easy When to go: Year-round Hours: Sun up to sunset Phone: 310-589-3200 Elevation Gain: 500 ft. Are dogs allowed: Yes, on a leash Restrooms: In the trailhead parking lot Parking: Free in the Wilacre lot
Trail Information
Full Review: It feels strange to finish an otherwise normal hike by
dropping in on an unsuspecting suburb. But that's exactly what happens on
this particular loop. Scene one: dusty trail with hazy valley views. Scene
two: a hilltop patch of trees. Scene three: manicured lawns adorning
not-so-modest mansions. Not an ordinary walk in the wilderness, even for
L.A.
From the Wilacre parking lot, start walking up the paved Betty B. Dearing
Trail, which gradually winds its way uphill, turning to dirt just after you
pass a broad clearing. Keep walking uphill along the fire road as it curves
from Coldwater Canyon views to Laurel Canyon on the other side.
You'll start a slight descent before reaching a three-way intersection. This
is Coldwater Canyon Park. Take the path on the right to see the S. Mark
Taper Foundation Amphitheater, where productions are held throughout the
year.
Wind your way around the small park loop, under sycamores and oaks, taking
any detour that looks interesting. The headquarters to Tree People is worth
a visit. This grassroots group whose focus is adding greenery to the LA
landscape runs a nursery at the top of the park, which you can take a peek
at before head back down to the intersection.
This time, take the third path, which looks like a continuation of the
Dearing Trail - it's not marked, but this is the Fryman Trail. It takes you
downhill and dumps you out onto Iredell Ln., where you'll start the
neighborhood part of the loop. When you get to Iredell St., veer right. Then
take a left onto Fryman Rd., which puts you about a block from the parking
lot. The total pavement time is about ten minutes. (To avoid the
neighborhood part of the hike, make the intersection a turn-around point.
The distance is about the same.)
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