Barbara and I love discovering new-to-us trails, and just when we thought we knew Griffith Park like the back of our backpacks, the ghost of Bill Eckert led us deeper into Fern Canyon for a view-packed loop on the east side of Griffith Park overlooking the Wilson Golf Course next to the 5 and the L.A. River. I needed to say ghost...upon arrival at the parking lots off Crystal Springs Drive, orange pop-up canopies for fundraising groups covered the flat land at base of the trails near the carousel. We hit the trail to the company of costumed hikers and dogs, and Halloween isn't for two more weeks! Today's trail named for Bill Eckert, commemorates his dedication to Griffith Park and its visitors. He joined the LA Dept of Public Works in 1949 as a gardener until 1965 when he became a charter member of the Ranger Unit—Badge #1—the first ranger in the division's history. His trail is a sweet "lasso," circling a peak at the east side of Mount Hollywood. The start of the hike features a terrific close view of honeycomb shaped Bee Rock, a hike for another day. The Eckert trail steady slopes up, but not steep. The fabulous outward NE view includes Burbank, Glendale, the San Gabriels and Verdugos, and looks down on the Wilson golf course and LA River, The only tricky part—we did it, you don't have to—was on the return from the top closure of the loop. We followed the trail on the map down a narrow dirt path into the canyon covered with pine needles & cones, steep enough that earlier hikers tied an unattached electrical wire down the slope for steady balance. After a brutal hot summer, today was our first narrow, adventurous trail in a long time, and it was a great adventure, but we'll probably stay on the main trail next time. Go for the view, stay for the good hiking conditions. 

16 years ago Barbara and I started hiking weekly to scout settings for my mystery novels and discovered adventure AND settings. This month I released second editions of my old Mind for Murder Mystery series—with an update to my author website. If you're curious, the new site is here: https://rochellestaab.com/ 

Happy discovery!