Great L.A. Walks: This Short, Steep Hike Takes You High above Burbank, 2.6 miles

Barbara and I drove east on Magnolia Blvd to Wildwood Canyon Park on the Burbank side of the Verdugo Mountains to take Charles Fleming's hike from the Dec. 9, 2016 issue of the LA Times. Fleming's headline reads "steep" and the man does not lie. From the start of the trailhead to the half-mile mark, the path got steeper...and then steeper, lined with rail ties to aid the effort. (Huffing, puffing— jackets were off, the water bottles were out.) What a trail, what a hike, what a view, and what a delicious escape from the city. Ours was one of several trails winding up into the mountains, some leading to the radio towers on top, others to picnic areas—all steep and dotted with encouraging hikers and their happy dogs. Hillsides scarred by the fire that burned sixteen acres of Wildwood Canyon last July blossomed with renewal—one of my faves, the Manzanita pictured below. Ahead of us, stunning green mountains; below, deep gulleys; behind us, panoramic views from distant downtown L.A. to nearby Burbank Airport. The photos—and I took tons of them—rarely capture the breathtaking experience, but by our one-mile mark, Wildwood Canyon had shot to the top of Barbara's and my favorite places to hike. We will be back! Local L.A. hikers, you need to be in shape for this one but don't miss it. You can't beat the convenience, challenge, and beauty of this wilderness escape walking distance from downtown Burbank. Double-thumbs-up awesome.