2 min
Overview
The trek to San Vicente Mountain via Mandeville Canyon is a popular Westside hike tucked away in the Hollywood Hills, where it’s well-known by the locals who frequent these dead-end canyons but not often visited by the region’s hikers at large. Those who do show up (and can manage to find parking) will be delighted by the broad fire road trails with sweeping canyon views, while history buffs will get a kick out of visiting the site of LA-96C, an important part of the Cold War era Nike Missile Defense System that ringed Los Angeles and many other cities around the United States. Head north from Sunset Boulevard on Mandeville Canyon Road and squeeze into one of the few parking spots near Garden Land Road. To your south will be a gated entry to Water and Power Pole Road, which is where you’ll begin your hike. You’ll pass rusted out remains of former homes and ranches in the area as the road makes a short but steep climb up out of the canyon. At 0.5 mile, keep a sharp right at a potentially confusing intersection where Water And Power Pole Road has an intersection with itself. Both routes appear to climb up, so it’s not readily apparent which way you’re supposed to be going here. If you do happen to take the wrong turn, though, the road eventually dead-ends, so just backtrack a bit and enjoy your extra time out on the trail. Continue as the road swings to the north. The road flattens out but the elevation you’ve already gained will net you some nice views of the neighboring north-south canyons — and even the San Gabriel Mountains if the air is decently clear. The climb picks up again at 0.9 mile, and at 1.4 miles keep right / stay straight at the junction with the West Mandeville Fire Road. Your odds of seeing some mountain bikers are greatly increased here, and looking straight ahead you should catch your first glimpses of the LA-96C facilities. Just before the 1.9 mile mark, you’ll come upon the grounds of the former missile defense site and walk inside. By the 1940s, Los Angeles was considered a bona-fide milit
Trail Stats
8.3 km
295 m
593 m
376 m
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