Walking L.A. #30, Elysian Heights: Looking Down on L.A.'s Oldest Public Park, @450 stairs, 2 miles.

Air quality not perfect, but clear skies inspired Barbara and me to climb Echo Park's Baxter stairs for a hike through Elysian Heights. The Baxter stairs, 231 steps zigzagging up to Park Drive, is one of the tallest staircases in the city. Daunting, yes, but the view at the top is breathtaking. Looking to the west, the city view stretched to the ocean including the observatory, Hollywood Sign, and, sadly, billowing smoke clouds from the Thomas Fire. Our eastern view overlooked 1781's Elysian Park—home of Dodger Stadium, hiking trails, an arboretum, & picnicking—framed by downtown L.A.'s skyscrapers. We detoured down into Elysian Park and walked a trail populated by dog owners with sniffing, lolling, happy dogs, and then we headed back to Park Drive and an equally daunting staircase at Lucretia Avenue that took us down to Echo Park and our starting point. A terrific mix of exhausting steps, peaceful trails, and views to remind me how much I love this city.