Griffith Park – October 2, 2009 (Not Islip again, again)

I don’t even know why I get excited to hit the Mount Islip trail anymore. I mean it’s never going to happen. And by now, if it did happen, I’d probably be disappointed in the trail.

As you may have guessed, Harold and I took off early Saturday morning headed toward Islip. This time we were armed with the right directions, thanks to someone who posted them on my blog awhile ago. It is essentially going the back route from what we were trying before. We were both pretty pumped up to finally hit this trail, especially since it was our third attempt.

And lo and behold, the elusive Islip strikes again! Due to the new fires, Highway 2 was closed! Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!

After sitting in disbelief for some time, we turned back around and decided on a new plan for the morning. We ended up at Griffith Park.

I knew there were trails there, but hadn’t been on any. Harold had, but this would end up being a new adventure for him as well.

The weather was looking good, not too hot. We parked at the bottom and started up, the trail and grounds being very manicured.

It was a good little workout on the way up to the observatory, a good way to start out.

We spent a few minutes up at the building, looking out to the city below and the Hollywood sign.

Then we moved on to one of the main trails.

We walked along a well-maintained path for a while, which linked to other well-maintained paths, and before you knew it, the observatory and Downtown Los Angeles (seemingly floating) were in the distance.

We came along a rattlesnake warning (apparently abundant in the warmer months in this area), and I believe this is where we cut up a steep path.

From here we kind of got lost, but it was all for the good. After coming across what I believe is a huge water reserve,

we ran into a path that was more narrow and more rugged, the stuff we actually like. And the people had all disappeared. It was turning out to be a great day.

After working up a little sweat, we still needed to hook up to a main trail to get to the Hollywood sign. We took a slippery decline

and hopped over to a main path, and finally made it to the sign. There were a few people there, but really not too bad. In fact for quite a while it was just the two of us enjoying the view. We wanted to slip under the fence and actually touch the sign, and though the $100+ fine wouldn’t be that bad, the possible jail time didn’t seem to appealing. We passed, and just kicked it for a bit. I didn’t know there was a reservoir nearby.

It was back down, with our eyes focused on getting back to the observatory and down to the car.

After looping around with the sign in sight again, we got a little surprised: Why in hell does the sign now say “OHLLYWOOD”?

We realized at a certain angle an optical illusion takes place. The “O” is actually set further further than the “H” so at this spot it looks as though the letters are reversed. Harold found it interesting too, but some other hiker I pointed it out to was not the least bit interested. I think she was too busy trying to get away from some guy that was obviously into her (and no, that guy was not me or Harold).

We thought we were headed in the right direction until the path just ended at a building I dubbed the “rape shack,” because it was that scary looking.

And I could not tell what this little structure was for; it wasn’t a bathroom. Anyway, if you run into this building, turn around and find a new trail. Not because it’s scary. Because Harold and I tried to link up to a trail by hiking down the hillside. And where did we end up? In a “No Trespassing” area for the 2nd hike in a row.

How does this happen to us?

However, on the way down, we did get to see a fairly big deer. It’s always cool to run into an animal (the fairly friendly ones that is).

This time we were stuck in what at first seemed like a military training area, but really was a girl’s camp (not currently in use, thank goodness).

We were expecting to be escorted out any second, but the place was empty. Camp Hollywoodland, thanks for the stay. Sorry it had to be so short.

And again with the fence hopping.

This time wasn’t as smooth as last time I did it.

And if any law authority personnel is reading this blog. Let me say, we had no intention to trespass. It’s just when trails end out of nowhere, and when there aren’t any good trail markers, shit happens.

By this time we were really lost, but luckily we ran into a guy and his dog. The dog took off to chase a barking squirrel, but the guy stuck around and gave us some trail options. We decided to take the more strenuous one (I think I’m getting too cocky . . . nah).

And just like the guy said we would, we came across the Bat Cave from the original Batman series – pretty cool.

And Paramount was filming something there. No action though. Just a couple of rent-a-cops, big lights, crashed cars, etc.

It took us a bit, but we found a narrow, very steep trail up.

We actually just followed a homeless dude who was walking 3 tiny dogs. If those little rat-dogs could make it up there, then so could we. By the way, I don’t really know if the dude was homeless, but if he didn’t live in the “rape shack” I’d be surprised. Which brings me to another point people. Don’t go hiking by yourself, and don’t hike at night.

The reward for this tiring uphill was the great 360 views. We saw the Paramount set below, the Hollywood sign in the distance and the observatory in the opposite distance. And below were some great looking homes of the wealthy I’m sure, with sparkling pools that I just wanted to dive into at this point.

After much debating, again not knowing how to get back, we finally found the right trail and worked our way back to the observatory and eventually the car. It’s funny being on the observatory grounds after an unexpected 5-hour hike, sweating and dirty, while visitors are there, clean and excited for a show about the heavens. I went to one of those shows a few months ago to give my niece and nephew the experience; I have to say this hike was way better (an no motion sickness).

We went all over the place on this trail. I think we took the longest (and best) route possible.

At the car we came across the most interesting permanent sign I have ever seen: No Soccer. Wow, I didn’t know soccer was such a problem.

We were starving so we ate at the Best Fish Taco in Ensenada. Yes, that’s what it is called. It’s off of Hillhurst. They have a few different salsa choices, and they are no joke. I usually have no problem with “spicy salsa,” but damn, be careful here; this is SPICY! But still good. I had some fish tacos and some shrimp tacos. They may be the best fish tacos in Ensenada (which I really don’t know), but I have had far better in Garden Grove at Los Cotijas.

After getting fish for food, we stopped the the pet store so Harold could get some food for his fish. And that part of the day was done.

Another unexpected 5-hour hike. With more unexpected trespassing. And more wanted adventure.

Nothing starts a Saturday off better than a hike. So, come on people, take one!