Secret Walks #13: The Hollywood Sign Walk, 5 miles.

Barbara was born in L.A., I've lived here for 40 years, yet neither one of us ever got this close to this cultural icon. A bit of history: in 1923 the Hollywoodland Real Estate Development built the sign, complete with flashing bulbs and a searchlight, to advertise "a superb environment without excessive cost...". Early 40s a drunk driver careened his Model T over the bluff into the "H." He lived, the "H" didn't. In 1949 the city of L.A. and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce took over and deleted the "LAND" portion of the sign. By the 70s, the sadly dilapidated sign read "HuLLYWO D", and in 1978 nine donors (including Gene Autry, Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and my wonderful Warner Bros. Records) sponsored a complete renovation. Upkeep by the city made it the sign we hiked to this morning. We began at Canyon Lake Drive (near Lake Hollywood Park), and continued north to Innsdale Drive to Mulholland Highway then the twisty, scribbly trail up Mount Lee Drive to the back of the sign. More tourists than locals, some dogs, a peregrine falcon, hummingbirds, mockingbirds, and a bunny were our hiking partners. Pictured: Barbara on the trail in a forest of bamboo; me pointing at our destination at the top of Mount Lee; the Griffith Observatory in the east; a northern view from Forest Lawn to WB Studios, the Burbank Airport, and beyond; and the trail sign (almost) at the top. The last, the big Money Shot at helicopter level above the Hollywood sign, of Lake Hollywood and the city. "No Sky July" made for perfect hiking weather, not-so-perfect skyline photos. Didn't matter. This hike was amazing in every way. Today Barbara and I completed our final hike from Charles Fleming's Secret Walks book, an UNforgettable journey! We cannot thank him enough for the memories. Next week: more L.A. hikes from another collection as we wait for Mr. Fleming to compile his next hiking book. No pressure. :)