3 min
Overview
Just across the L.A. River Basin from Griffith Park, lie the Verdugo Mountains, a small member of the fault-created east-west Transverse Ranges. Like Griffith Park, the peaks and valleys of the Verdugos provide a variety of outdoor activities to the residents of Glendale, Burbank, and the Valley neighborhoods on its northern boundaries – but unlike Griffith Park, this small range is generally less crowded. For relatively easy ascents, hikers and bikers can use the Beaudry Boulevard Loop on the range’s eastern side. Hikers and trail-runners looking for more of a challenge make their way to Burbank’s Wildwood Canyon Park to tackle the Vital Link Trail. If you do some research on this trail, you’ll find that some people say it’s an easy hike while others seem thrilled and surprised that they made it home in one piece. This is because there are several different starting points for the trail. It is possible to drive to the end of the road in Wildwood and take a short, steep fire road to the trail, which will cut off around a half mile of distance and about 600 feet of elevation from the hike. But we’re not going to do that, because we like a challenge when we see it. Instead, park at the large lot near the park’s entrance (you’ll have to drive past the gate on Harvard Road to get to it – if you enter the park, you’ll have to turn around). Stretch out and head into the park, passing some port-a-potties and a water fountain. Just past these buildings you’ll see a picnic bench and some trail info in the shade. This is the start of your hike – and also the last you’re going to see shade for a long, long time. The trail wastes no time in making its way up the mountainside. You’ll gain about 300 feet in the first 0.4 miles before you hit a small plateau where another entry trail joins you. Most of the peaks in the Verdugos have been capped with communications towers, and you’ll be able to see these as you make your way up on the trail as well as some glimpses of the rest of the trail you’re going to be hiking on. Spoiler
Trail Stats
9.0 km
559 m
949 m
389 m
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Photos
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