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Catalina Verdugo Trail

4.3 (16 reviews)

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Sunday summer in November 2022
Franklin M.

I'm not sure how busy this parking lot gets at the Glendale Sports Complex but there was plenty of free space available on Saturday after Thanksgiving. From the parking lot facing the sport fields start the hike to your left. The hike is moderate with easy inclines and around eight switchbacks at the end of the trail by the small wooden bridge. I saw small children walking this trail so it will be easy enough to hike for most all age groups.

The trail gets much narrow after this. Many trees and chaparral throughout your hike
Dana G.

Overall a convenient & simple beginner hike for anyone interested in dipping a toe into nature. It's a narrow loop trail that meanders throughout the Canyon with a few benches to rest, read, or just sit in peace. The elevation gain is gradual and not strenuous by any means. I clocked 2.6 miles taking a detour down at the ridge motorway trail sign. I don't recommend it, stay on the loop. The gravel was loose, grade was steep, and the bottom loop around the power tower was grossly over grown. This trail is behind the Glendale Sports Complex. Two entrances: 1) end of parking lot by soccer fields, keep going till you enter by the wood bridges, 2) there's a trail marker at the entrance of the parking lot. Other points: bird watching, not crowded, clear paths, and, views of Hollywood, Glendale, Griffith Park, and the beach on a clear day.

Grand Opening
Cydney M.

The Grand Opening of the Catalina Verdugo Trail is on Saturday, June 1, 2013. My friend Meg P., and I went hiking there today and we really liked it! It reminds me of the Rim of the Valley Trail at Deukmejian Park minus the radical, vertigo producing drop off on the side. There is a drop off, but the trail is wider. It just made me a little nervous when my friend Meg walked on the edge. There are two entrances to the Catalina Verdugo Trail. The first one is right by the entrance to the parking lot on the north side of the complex. The marker is right next to the street on the left, so it is visible. The second entrance to the trail is on the south side of the complex to the right of the soccer field. The website says the loop is 2 miles, but I used the Map My Hike ap and it registered at about 2.64. You can hike longer if you take the detour to the Ridge Motorway Trail. If you go that way you can hike all the way to La Canada if you head north or further down into Glendale if you head south. The Catalina Verdugo Trail was funded by the 2009 Competitive Trails Grant Program. A lot of chapparal was chopped down to create the trail and it hasn't been hauled away as of todays date. It was just thrown over the edge. Maybe they think it will turn into a natural mulch of some sort or perhaps they will haul it away. If I go to the Grand Opening on June 1, 2013 that question will be at the top of my list. If you stay on the loop trail it is approximately 2.64 miles long. It meanders in and out of canyons at an easy grade. If you start on the south side you will see the intersection to the Ridgeline Trail on your way up the hill. Turn right when you see the trail marker. I love the trail markers on this new trail. The trail will inperpret the history of the San Rafael Hills and the Verdugo Valley and is named after one of its earliest residents, Catalina Verdugo, the First Lady of the Rancho San Rafael. They have a few pedestals near the benches for some kind of informational plaques, but as of today they haven't been installed. I am sure they will be by the time of the Grand Opening on June 1, 2013.

Catalina Verdugo Trail. Beautiful hike!
Melissa K.

The Catalina Verdugo Trail is new to Glendale. I do not think many people know about the hike yet because in all the times I have been on the trail, I have only seen 2 or 3 other hikers. I also saw one mountain biker; that seemed like an intense workout. This is a mild to moderate 2-mile hike. It takes approximately one hour to do the complete loop. I take my toddler, and I wear him in a hiking backpack. Bring water- the elevation change is pretty significant. Beautiful views of the city and mountains. On a clear day, you can see the ocean. And now for the most important tip- the main trailhead is to the right of the soccer fields (if you are facing fields). Do not enter soccer field area because those gates are locked. The first time we did this hike, we spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to enter because all we saw were locked gates. I suggest a late afternoon hike because the sun bathes the mountains in light, and it makes for epic views.

Some areas of the trails need fixing due to rain/mud slides. Barriers broken. View from the top.

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8 months ago

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2 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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13 years ago

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12 years ago

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12 years ago

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

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12 years ago

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13 years ago

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11 years ago

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12 years ago

Bump into a snake on Catalina loop trail... It's nice and cute walk but cars on freeway make crazy noise which kills the mood.

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12 years ago

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Review Highlights - Catalina Verdugo Trail

I'm not sure how busy this parking lot gets at the Glendale Sports Complex but there was plenty of free space available on Saturday after Thanksgiving.

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Beaudry Loop Hike - Directions are easy to decipher. You go left and I go up or you go right and I go east. ;D

Beaudry Loop Hike

4.4(145 reviews)
1.5 mi

This hike is not for the faint of heart. I believe it's a full 7 miles if you do the entire loop…read morebut we ended up taking a shorter route which made it a total of 5 miles. I've attempted this hike once before and failed to do the loop as I started later in the day and wasn't able to finish it; however, I just recently went again with a few of my friends and this time was able to accomplish it within, I want to say 3-4 hours? I wasn't tracking it but it was a good hike--recommend going early to beat the heat or maybe in the afternoon so it's not hot. My only recommendation is to take the path on the right first when you come across the split at the Beaudry Loop since there's shading from the trees and it's much easier, as it felt like it was a steady incline. Also, when coming back down from the other side, it was steeper but much easier to come down than to hike uphill, which I did the first time I did this hike. A great, challenging hike for anyone who is currently looking for new places to climb. Due to the fires in Eaton Canyon and Malibu, there are less options to trek at the moment but this is a solid choice. This is nestled in a neighborhood so you'll end up parking your car either at the front entrance or in front of other people's homes. Will definitely come back again next time to conquer the full trail but with more ample time of course.

May your trails be long, crooked, lonesome, rugged leading to the most magnificent view. Now…read morewithout further ado let's begin this glorious hike review. ;D Beaudry Loop Hike is a 5.5-mile loop trail located in Verdugo Mt near La Cresenta and Glendale, California. The trail is moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 hours to complete. Also, it has other interconnected trails within the loop. BLH is a popular area for hiking, mountain biking, dog walking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Furthermore, this loop trail has an elevation gain of 1,515 feet that provide gorgeous view of LA and surrounding cities. I hiked this loop trail on a cool Tuesday (12/06) morning where very little to no hikers on the trail. As you go deeper into the trail's bosom, you will see some wild plants and flowers and other creatures. The trails are very wide, well kept and has adequate shade on certain parts. The entrance of Beaudry Loop trail (intersection of Beaudry Terrace and Beaudry blvd) is somewhat hidden but a yellow metal thick gate is where you enter. There is one thing certain that no quiescent mind hiking this trailhead. As for parking, there are plenty of street parking around the neighborhood. In this voluminous review, it's time to make a conclusion. Overall, I enjoyed hiking this trail and it's magnificent view from the summit. I wholeheartedly recommend this trail.

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Beaudry Loop Hike
Beaudry Loop Hike
Beaudry Loop Hike

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Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

4.4(293 reviews)
7.0 mi

Perfect hike for a hot day…read more I love waterfall hikes and listening to the sound of calm, running water. The added challenge on these hikes is the multiple stream crossings. I brought some hiking poles which helped with balance and probing for loose rocks and logs. If you want to get parking in the lower lot, it's best to come before 8AM. We found parking in the second lot. An Adventure Pass or Day Pass is required. Parking is enforced. A car received a ticket for being in a No Parking zone. The start of the trail is nicely shaded. The second half is a hilly, narrow, sun exposed path which routes back into the canyon toward the Lower Switzer Falls. I'm glad they had fencing on some narrow and steep parts of the trail. We encountered an active rattlesnake which headed down the mountain, so be on the lookout. Overall, the hike takes about 3 hours for 5.5 miles. The additional hike back up to the parking lot was about 1/4 of a mile. Note: if you need to use the restroom, it's best to bring your own toilet paper and to go before you start your hike. It was kind of smelly, but if you gotta go... you gotta go.

This place is great for fully appreciating nature! The trail is around 5-5.5 miles round trip,…read moredepending on where you park. What impressed me most about this trail is that it's almost fully covered by shade. We went in the late afternoon, and I'd say probably 80-85% of it is covered. Very impressive! Here are some useful tips: 1. There are three parking lots: two are next to the highway, and one is near the hiking entrance. I'd recommend getting a parking pass if possible. 2. There are only three restrooms at the beginning of the trail, so use them when you see them. 3. If you're aiming to go to the waterfall, make sure to look for the signs. Some signs aren't very clear, so we had to stop and ask other hikers frequently. Luckily, people there are super friendly and happy to help. Just pay attention to your surroundings. 4. The trail is dog-friendly, but dogs must be on a leash. 5. Waterproof hiking boots are recommended. All in all, it's a fun trail. It's a great place for a picnic and camping, and it's very close to the stream. Great for kids, families, and pets!

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Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - Lower Switzer Fall

Lower Switzer Fall

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service - The grand prize, Switzer falls.

The grand prize, Switzer falls.

Switzer Falls - USDA Forest Service

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Descanso Trail - Trail entrance. #BnWphoto

Descanso Trail

4.4(18 reviews)
1.4 mi

Quiet, easy hiking trail for the whole family. Baby stroller access may be a little tricky the…read morefirst 10-15 minutes. But after that it's smooth sailing. A very pleasant and peaceful walk. You may notice some freeway noise in some parts. HOW TO GET THERE: Set your GPS/Navigation to "Descanso Garden". You're going to park inside Descanso Garden anyways. Its free and its a 3 minute walk from the Trailhead. Do Not use the Yelp app's "Get Directions" on your smartphone. It'll take you to someone's house. I wish Yelp would correct this. PARKING: Don't tell anyone I told you this but I always park at Descanso Garden Parking Lot. It's free. I park my car right at the entrance to Descanso Garden so that I'm close to the entrance. There's always a gazillion empty parking spaces here. As soon as you park your car, walk back to the entrance (towards the main road, Descanso Drive) and then turn left onto the dirt sidewalk. You'll walk for a minute and find the 3 little yellow steel posts that other Yelpers described. That's your landmark for the entrance to the Trail. TRAILHEAD ACCESS: The trail begins about a 3 minute walk from the Descanso Garden parking lot. So when you exit the Descanso Garden parking lot, immediately turn left. Walk on the dirt sidewalk for less than a minute and on the left hand side you'll see 3 yellow steel posts (you know the kind that prevents people from driving over it). Walk through these 3 yellow posts and you'll find yourself walking on asphalt flanked by 8 feet tall brown colored fencing. You'll ask yourself "Am I at the right place?". Trust me, you are. Follow the signs and suddenly you'll find yourself at the trailhead. DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Easy. I went to Descanso Trail with my in-laws today. They're both in their mid-70's (very healthy) and they had no problems. The most difficult part of this trail comes about 5 minutes into the walk. You'll find yourself staring at an uphill climb consisting of several switchbacks. There's lots of loose rocks that someone can slip on. Especially small children and elderly. Climbing up is not bad. Even for my mid-70's in-laws they had no trouble. Did it without resting. Coming down these switch-backs is a little more challenging but definitely do-able for the healthy elderly. A walking/hiking stick will help. The rest of the hike is smooth sailing. Slight uphill and downhill walking here and there. Nothing challenging. The trail is made of compacted dirt, mainly about 5 feet to 10 feet wide. If you're a good hiker, if you've hiked Half Dome then this Descanso Trail hike will be a 'walk in the park'! BABY STROLLER: For about 99% of this trail, a stroller will have no problems whatsoever. However, within 5 minutes of starting this hike (read my "Difficulty Level" section above) you will find yourself at the bottom of an upward climb through some switchbacks. I think some healthy parent with a capable stroller probably could push the buggy uphill. But I believe for most parents, this will pose a challenge. You're better off holding the baby in your arms and having someone else carry the stroller uphill. Luckily, this uphill walk will take less than 5 minutes. After this, the rest of the trail is easy sailing for a stroller. Mainly compacted dirt. Keep in mind there are some gently upward and downward hills you need to navigate. CELLPHONE RECEPTION: I had 3 to 5 bars on my Verizon iPhone the whole time on the trail. No problems with reception at all.

Hiking is a passion of mine which I truly enjoy. This is a trail that allows the flexibility of…read morebeginner to advanced workouts. For starters if you are into running, jogging or bike rides this trail is perfect. I enjoy the running aspect as I love a great workout. If you enjoy some chill time or a read this is a great spot as well. From enjoying a great sunrise or sunset this is a great spot.

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Descanso Trail
Descanso Trail - Beautiful pic

Beautiful pic

Descanso Trail - City scapes

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City scapes

Brand Park - The Library

Brand Park

4.6(121 reviews)
3.3 mi

Brand Park is on the smaller side, so if you're hoping to get in 6,000 steps, you might need to…read moreloop a few times or explore nearby streets. That said, don't let the size fool you ~ there's something here for all ages. The Japanese Friendship Garden opens around 10 AM and offers a peaceful spot to relax. The koi pond and landscaped gardens are especially calming. There's a small playground for kids with nearby picnic tables ~ great for families. The onsite library hosts occasional events, and the grand staircase leading up to it makes for a great photo op. Parking inside the park is limited, but there's usually plenty of street parking available if you don't mind a short walk.

It's been years since I was last here, during Covid to be exact. It's when we all needed to be…read moreoutside in the open air to clear our minds. Hiking was the spot here when I was visiting but this time it was just for a little wandering around. Still pretty as the last time I was here. Very open with a pretty big lot for cars. You have the baseball fields, and a good amount of picnic area. I didn't venture throughout as it was just a little stroll after brunch. We did pop into the teahouse area which was pretty. There's also a little Park area where you could lounge and relax. Believe you're allowed to bring food inside but not sure about grilling. They had yours being offered for the doctor's house which we didn't do. The teahouse, not sure how often tours go for that. We walked around and just enjoyed the outside of the facades, the koi pond and just being relaxed. There were plenty of people doing the same as it was a nice a sunny afternoon.

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Brand Park
Brand Park - Brand Park

Brand Park

Brand Park

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Secret Stairs - Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr.

Secret Stairs

4.3(37 reviews)
4.0 mi

My second time doing the stairs here is how I found them…read more Number of stairs- 9 Sycamore Glen to Redwood Dr.-this staircase is not in Fleming's Secret Stairs book, Walk #1, though they could have easily been part of the route. 60 steps Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr. 98 steps Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr. 81 steps up then 19 steps down Tamarac Dr. to Glenullen Dr. 86 steps Glenullen Dr. to Cherry Dr. 99 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Capinero Dr. 44 steps La Loma to Cheviotdale Pl. 54 steps Cheviotdale Pl. to Cherry Dr. 43 steps La Loma to Evergreen-this staircase... Hope it helps It's around two miles.

I decided to give the Secret Stairs a visit after a tip from Yelp! There is just something charming…read moreabout a neighborhood network of stairs. The stairs serves well as an easy hike or an exercise spot for those who love stair climbing. One thing I did not expect is that the stairs go up and down. Rather than take you higher and higher, some of the stairs just takes you across hills which for me is disappointing. Also, I did not find the houses along the trail particularly scenic. They are probably nice for Pasadena but definitely a far cry from what you see in nearby Arcadia, San Marino, La Canada, etc. Overall, I consider the Secret Stairs a local attraction. It's a worth a visit if you live less than 20 minutes away and its a fun neighborhood novelty but it's definitely not worth your time if you don't live in the area. Parking: I parked on the street on Elmwood which is the beginning of the trail, but I don't highly recommend it. It's not a particularly well maintained street and it is super narrow and steep without proper curbs/sidewalks. There is also a sign that says 'Tow Away on Red Flag Days'. Refer to the affixes picture. If I returned, I would either park on the street prior to Elmwood or just skip to a different segment.

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Secret Stairs - Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

Start on. Elmwood Dr. to Redwood Dr.

Secret Stairs - Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

Map if you want to do 2.7 miles.

Secret Stairs - Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

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Redwood Dr. to Tamarac Dr.

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Found this tiny little spider on a beautiful yellow bloom - had to bust out my macro lens for this one! June 2025

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike

4.5(8 reviews)
1.8 mi

Such a unique and beautiful hike!!!! We even got to see some very hard snow that was almost gone,…read moredue to the rain and winds. I would highly recommend that at least 50% of the group have the trail downloaded, and you carry extra phone chargers. A few people who were with us almost got lost. It is very easy to do so if you are not paying attention. There is also one portion that becomes very steep. Take your time and bring a stick or poles if you need to. Other than that, the views are breathtaking, so enjoy! I would 1000% do this trail again, but only in a larger group with more experienced hikers. Hoping they are able to locate Monica Reza!! Please, please, please, do not leave anyone behind on their own. This is not an easy trail to guide yourself. There was a lovely man we met on the trail who hikes this consistently, and he cautioned us against losing people.

I bagged a peak this summer!! And the Waterman Mountain loop trail has become my number one fave…read morelocal trail here in SoCal. Getting up to Waterman peak isn't terribly technical - more of a straightforward moderate hike on well marked trails with tons of biodiversity and beautiful views. I hiked it towards the end of June and there were beautiful native SoCal blooms scattered along the trail - with so many native bees! The hike is through a burn scar (from the Peak Fire in 2021 I think) - so it can be a bit barren and burned up in places but it's heartening to see how well the area is recovering. I also ran into countless Pygmy Nuthatches (a lifer for me!!), White-headed Woodpeckers, squirrels, chipmunks, and even some cute tiny spiders! But this is Black Bear and Mountain Lion country so be vigilant and carry bear spray. All in all, I hiked around 6.4 miles with around 1380+ feet elevation gain. The trails are narrow in a lot of spots and mostly consists of rocks, loose dirt, and fine gravel. The first half of the trail is through forest and burn scar. The last half after the peak and old ski resort (long closed) is very exposed fire road with no shade and minimal views. On subsequent hikes I tend to skip that part and just turn around after the peak bc I like that part of the trail better lol. The peak of Waterman Mtn sits at 8030 feet. There's a great sign at the peak made by @peakart125 (on instagram) - it's lovely and makes for a fun way to celebrate making it all the way up! There's a sort of false peak right before the actual peak so I highly recommend making sure you've downloaded the trail map on AllTrails before heading out since cell signal is minimal to nonexistent on the trail. The views from the peak are a tad obstructed by rocks and trees - but you still get nice pocket views of Twin Peaks, the valley, and Mt Wilson observatory. It's also interesting to explore the old ski resort near the peak. There's tons of equipment and a chair lift but it doesn't look like it's been opened for years probably. AllTrails also shows a bathroom up there but I didn't find one so come prepared. There's a bathroom next to the paved parking area in a campground entrance at the trailhead. There's plenty of parking - almost all paved. You'll need an adventure pass to park bc it's in the Angeles National Forest - but they accept America the Beautiful passes too! I pretty much had the trail to myself on the weekday early morning. I only ran into two people - turned out it was search and rescue looking for missing hiker Monica Reza who went missing the weekend before my hike (I think she was last seen June 22nd, 2025). I helped a bit in the search on my way out but no luck. My understanding is she's still missing (I included a photo - they're still looking for volunteers to help search if you're interested!) - be aware and keep a lookout if you do the trail! They also have Instagram and FB pages for updates.

Photos
Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

Precious little chipmunks kept a close eye on me while I hiked lol!

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

Views from the trail (June 2025) #getoutsideandexplore

Waterman Mt & Twin Peaks Hike - Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

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Lovely elderberry bloom along the trail (June 2025)

Catalina Verdugo Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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