Griffith Park Hike @ Merry Go Round Lot - Taco Peak via Bee Rock

For this month's extra Tuesday we will be going to Taco Peak via Bee Rock. Once we are past Bee Rock we will take the Cardiac Trail to Mt. Bell and then come back down the North Trail past Amir's Garden to Crystal Springs Trail.

The last time we did this. It was 5.20 miles/1,475ft elevation gain and took the full 2 hours.

This is not a beginner hike! If you haven't been at a 3rd of 4th Tuesday of the month hike, it would not be wise to attend this one.

Legend for hikes: These hikes run year 'round every Tuesday. In the leader's (subjective) mind, the hikes are generally easiest the first Tuesday of the month and most challenging the last Tuesday of the month, with everything progressive in between. Beginners are encouraged to come to the first Tuesday of the month. Beginners will receive doses of encouragement the second Tuesday of the month to keep up if unable. The 3-4-5 Tuesday's of the month it is expected anyone that can't keep up with the leader will turn back

The fine print:

Wildlife (snakes, bobcats, mountain lions etc) seen in the park, be aware of your surroundings and stay alert at all times.

Some of the rangers have begun to enforce that hikers only hike on designated trails, although there are no firm rules stated. We may go in areas the rangers consider ticketable. We haven't encountered any problems in the past.

Bring Along:

Hiking boots and at least 1 Liter Water. Layered clothing in case it's cold. Long pants in case it's hot, to prevent being bitten by insects. Mosquito and tic spray (available at Sports Chalet) are recommended.

No bright (white) flashlights. Red, Blue flashlights are ok.

If you get to the lot after we meet, Sierra Club hikes start at 7:00PM on the opposite end of the lot.

We do start ON TIME, no matter how much traffic is on the freeways, inside the park, including if our parking lots are being used by movie crews. Allow yourself enough time for any unexpected surprises.

From 134 Freeway:

(Note, if you are not familiar with Griffith Park Drive, this is a dark single lane route. You are better off taking I5 directions)

Exit Forest Lawn. (If coming from Westbound go straight, from Eastbound, Go Right). Make a left on Zoo Drive. Make a right hand turn on Griffith Park Drive. Road weaves through Griffith Park. Continue on road until you hit Crystal Springs Road. Make a right hand turn on Crystal Springs. There's no street sign at the next stop sign. Look for the sign in the median stating "Merry-Go-Round Parking" with an arrow, follow the arrow. Continue up the road. The road forces you to make a sharp right hand turn into a parking lot, this is Lot 1. Go through the parking lot. You'll hit a small dark road (it's lit if it's daylight savings time) which will take you to Parking Lot 2. This is the parking lot where we meet. We meet next to the driveway that takes you down to parking Lot 3.

From Interstate 5 (either direction)

Go West on Los Feliz. Make a right on Riverside drive into Griffith Park. Go two stop signs and make a left turn. Continue up the road. The road forces you to make a sharp right hand turn into a parking lot. Go through the parking lot. You'll hit a small dark road (it's lit if it's daylight savings time) for a short period of time, followed by a brightly lit lot. Park in the back of the lot (the part you entered in). Meet at the back of the lot, where the driveway to the lower part of the lot is. It's close to the "No Practice Driving Allowed" sign is.

Where to meet: If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, just at the path to the lower lot. (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/griffith/griffith_park_map.html)

CLICK (http://files.meetup.com/262967/PL%232.jpg)

for Visual Map of Driving Directions from Ranger Station

Put these coordinates in google maps for exact directions from your location:

34.133525,-118.284731