Griffith Park Update

[mkadam68]

I commute to work, coming out of Burbank, down Victory, and left onto Zoo Drive. I was met by a guard and not allowed to turn left (east) toward the Zoo. So, it's still closed for now. Looked like to the right (west) was open, though.

[merider1]

I was considering heading over there this evening to do a few miles. So, Zoo is still closed to Los Feliz?

[curiouskid55]

Dont know , was going to do some drills down there but not going if trash truck is not open.

[merider1]

Well, I suspect trash truck isn't open. Of course, I'm not sure I know what trash truck is. Is that the canyon (past the gate?) or the hill up to the gate? Is ANY part of GP open? :(

[ronjon10]

I've heard the hill up to the gate is referred to as trash hill or trash truck hill. I don't know why it's called that, but there you have it.

[roadfix]

I always thought the maintenance road past the gate to the top was trash truck hill. OK....so the road just above Travel Town where all the male prostitutes used to hang out is called trash truck hill. Now I get it.

[merider1]

I always thought the maintenance road past the gate to the top was trash truck hill. OK....so the road just above Travel Town where all the male prostitutes used to hang out is called trash truck hill. Now I get it.
What is the canyon called? Mt. Hollywood?

[mkadam68]

Sorry...me...I can only tell you that they wouldn't let me down Zoo Drive from Victory. I didn't think to take notice if it was open on Los Feliz (I was watching the idiot drivers cut me off as they try to get onto the freeway :rolleyes: )

[roadfix]

A member from roadbikereview just posted that trash truck hill is guarded and doesn't think they'll open it up for at least another week.....according to the guard.

[magicant]

Thanks for all the updates --

Won't be heading out that way until next week probably, so hopefully it'll be good to go by then.

[curiouskid55]

Rode down there Wednesday at 5:30. Barrier and gate is closed with armed guard (he had two)at Travel Town Parking. He said two weeks possibly. Going past the zoo, barrier and guards at the bus circle . That guard said it could be as much as two months. Interesting that the road is open for golfers in cars but no runners walkers hikers or bikers. I guess surly counter culture types cannot be trusted to stay on the road. I can see why they dont want people going off exploring when they are trying to manage this disaster. Funny though that fat cats in cars are the only ones allowed to use the park at this time. River trail bike way is not affected.

On a positive note zoo parking lot was deserted. Ran crit laps around the pylons and sprint intervals.

[mkadam68]

Rode by this morning (Thursday). Came south on Victory to Zoo Drive. Open all the way to the Zoo itself. Then closed. Of course, the guard couldn't explain why a cyclist was coming up the other direction. :rolleyes:

Rode past Zoo Drive and Los Feliz--open. I don't know how far as I didn't go up (continued west on Los Feliz).

[mkadam68]

Rode through Griffith this evening on the way home from work. Turned left onto Zoo Drive from Los Feliz. Little signs said "Golf Access" or some such. I was worried they'd close it halfway through. But, nope...made it through all the way up to Victory no problem. Saw one guard near the entrance to the golf course, but he didn't say anything to me as I passed.

[magicant]

Found a site that has up to date closure information:

http://lagriffithpark.blogspot.com/

[merider1]

Thanks, Joel. I guess the GP Night Ride is on hold for awhile. :(

[roadfix]

Now I need to find myself a new Thurs afternoon loop. A coffee & pastry stop in the middle is a must.

[merider1]

Now I need to find myself a new Thurs afternoon loop. A coffee & pastry stop in the middle is a must.

You could hit the hills in Burbank and come back down Senora to Toluca Lake. There are some coffee places there.

[roadfix]

You could hit the hills in Burbank and come back down Senora to Toluca Lake. There are some coffee places there.

Thanks Mary, I was thinking that general area as well. As long as there's a place for posing most anything will work for me. As you already know, posing and tinkering are also very important aspects of cycling for me.... :D

[merider1]

As you already know, posing and tinkering are also very important aspects of cycling for me.... :D

As they should be...:p Seriously, those hills in Burbank are no joke! Some parts 18-20%. My granny can hardly get me up those!

[roadfix]

Trash truck hill is open from both directions now.
I rode my bike to work today. After I get off work this afternoon at 6pm I'm heading out of Hollywood up the Cahuenga Pass down to Forest Lawn and enter Griffith Park at Travel Town and ride up trash truck hill and head towards home. I'm taking the long way home. Time permitting and if there is no security guard I'm jumping the gate at the top and riding further up to the observatory.
Anyone else riding in the park around that time? :)

[herbm]

You could hit the hills in Burbank and come back down Senora to Toluca Lake. There are some coffee places there.

I have a routeslip if needed!
George...I think there is a coffee place in Kenneth Village..probably good for posing...

[roadfix]

George...I think there is a coffee place in Kenneth Village..probably good for posing...

Yes, I remember seeing a couple of nice patioed spots there at the village. I think I can finally get back to practicing the art of chaise lounge posing at one of these spots. Thanks...:)

[merider1]

I have a routeslip if needed!
George...I think there is a coffee place in Kenneth Village..probably good for posing...
I wish I could make it on time for the Burbank Hill Hazing. That is such a great ride. :(

[merider1]

Hey George, did you ride GP today yet? Did you make it up to the observatory? :D

[roadfix]

Hey George, did you ride GP today yet? Did you make it up to the observatory? :DNo, I'm still at work. I'm leaving work at 6pm and heading up. Are you or did you already ride today?

[merider1]

No, I'm still at work. I'm leaving work at 6pm and heading up.
I'm headed to dinner or I'd come join you. I'd love to get up there and see what it looks like. If you want, please take pics. :D

[herbm]

I wish I could make it on time for the Burbank Hill Hazing. That is such a great ride. :(


We are going to do intervals on the BP this wed!! Probably 5:30-5:45ish

Also today might not be the best for GP...the River Ride is still going on!

[merider1]

We are going to do intervals on the BP this wed!! Probably 5:30-5:45ish

Also today might not be the best for GP...the River Ride is still going on!
:eek: How was the River Ride?? Ride report? :D

[herbm]

:eek: How was the River Ride?? Ride report? :D

oy...I knew that was coming....ok..I'll try to get it together to write one..

[merider1]

oy...I knew that was coming....ok..I'll try to get it together to write one..
:rolleyes: :p You KNOW we want to hear about it, although you were correct to forgo the camera. Too dangerous.

[herbm]

:rolleyes: :p You KNOW we want to hear about it, although you were correct to forgo the camera. Too dangerous.

It was more I was worried about it launching out of my pocket on some of the roads
but I didnt even take 1 pix at the car...

[roadfix]

Well, so yesterday evening after work I rode up trash truck hill to the crest, jumped the gate and rode further to the top. I saw no evidene of the fire up to that point. Instead of heading towards the observatory at that point I decided to take the road which leads directly down to the Greek Theater and the golf course. I'm like almost halfway down that hill and still no evidence of the fire, then around the next bend I saw the entire canyon scorched......and all the way down to the golf course. I stopped to take a few pictures.

[Happytime]

Holy guacamole, George! :eek:

[merider1]

thanks, George. At least we know we can get back up there!

[sshakari]

I went to GP today and was able to ride up to the Obs around 6 PM. There were a few riders going up and down, one of them told me that there is a ranger who just tells everyone to go back down. Figured I would just take my chances and rode up then down and did not see any rangers. It is as George says: the SF side of the canyons is untouched by the fire, but the other side is quite burned.

[sshakari]

Here is the official satalite photo of the fire from NASA, the descritpion can be found here:

NASA page (http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17680)


http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/Images/lafires_ast_2007157.jpg

[roadfix]

I'm riding up there this Thurs...... doing an easy loop and final bike check before the GT on Sat. :)

[sshakari]

I was able to get through the gate, as it was open. Went all the way to the top without a problem or a ranger. I think the night rides can start again....

[merider1]

I was able to get through the gate, as it was open. Went all the way to the top without a problem or a ranger. I think the night rides can start again....
:beer: I hope so!

[roadfix]

I'm heading out to the observatory for a quick spin. :)

[merider1]

I'm heading out to the observatory for a quick spin. :)
Have fun, George! I hope to be back out there next Thursday. :)

[sshakari]

I'm heading out to the observatory for a quick spin. :)

I spun out there yesterday and was able to get to the top of the climb from the Zoo side, just when I stared the decent to Obs the road is blocked and yellow tape and signs, but no security guardz. Hope you can break through. Have fun.

[tinrobot]

I got nailed by a ranger yesterday when I cut through the barricades going south on Crystal Springs. I've been doing it for two weeks. it's really nice when I don't get nailed because you get the whole road to yourself.

I've been doing Garbage Truck Hill most mornings, but I haven't cut up to the observatory since the fire. Maybe next week...

[merider1]

I got nailed by a ranger yesterday when I cut through the barricades going south on Crystal Springs. I've been doing it for two weeks. it's really nice when I don't get nailed because you get the whole road to yourself.

I've been doing Garbage Truck Hill most mornings, but I haven't cut up to the observatory since the fire. Maybe next week...
What did he do when he "nailed" you? Did he just scold you?

[roadfix]

Just got back. No problem jumping the barricade in front of the traffic officers, I was able to ride up to the observatory from the Travel Town side, then descended down by the Greek Theater and headed home. I posed for 30 minutes at the observatory cafe and forgot how expensive a cup of coffee was there....

[merider1]

Just got back. No problem jumping the barricade in front of the traffic officers, I was able to ride up to the observatory from the Travel Town side, then descended down by the Greek Theater and headed home. I posed for 30 minutes at the observatory cafe and forgot how expensive a cup of coffee was there....
Will you come out and do a night ride with me next week? :o

[roadfix]

Will you come out and do a night ride with me next week? :o

Sure thing....:)

[merider1]

Sure thing....:)
:love: I'll "try" to leave early (yeah, right) and get up there in time to buy you a coffee. :D

[herbm]

Just got back. No problem jumping the barricade in front of the traffic officers, I was able to ride up to the observatory from the Travel Town side, then descended down by the Greek Theater and headed home. I posed for 30 minutes at the observatory cafe and forgot how expensive a cup of coffee was there....

You mean there wasn't a.....fire sale.... ba dum da

[michael.e]

Does anyone have any other updates? Is the park opened now?

Mike