I’ve just learned from Griffith Park Wayist that two ranger-led hikes to the Hollywood Sign are planned for Thanksgiving weekend, and if I wasn’t going to be in Death Valley climbing sand dunes and biking some bad roads between craters and playas then I most certainly wouldn’t miss such a rare opportunity to do something I did tons of times as a punk growing up in the shadow of the landmark.

Seriously, the last time was maybe 25 years ago, long before they fenced everything in and made it a felony to do so. I’d scramble up from Mulholland Highway with some snacks and perhaps Pink Floyd or some Dvorak on my walkman, and I’d just chill beneath a 50-foot letter of my choosing, marveling at the spectacular views and working out all sorts of bullshit up there on Mt. Lee.

Led by Park Ranger Ernie Ybarra, the four- to six-mile intermediate hikes are scheduled for November 27 and 28, from 8 – 11 a.m. Meet at the Griffith Park Visitor Center next to the Ranger Station at 4730 Crystal Springs Drive (map).

Additional information: 323/644-6661 x1549; ernie.ybarra@lacity.org

Related posts:

1. Aught Nine… Zero Three… Two Double-Oh Five ó HIKE! HIKE! HIKE!
2. Take A Hike (First In An Occasional Series)
3. Men Fear Death, as Children Fear to Go in the Dark
4. Weekender: Saturday In The Park With Dawgs
5. The other Hollywood sign