"Garbage Hill," Griffith Park

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I did a little bit of searching here and there, and have a few questions about Garbage Hill. From what I remember from the ride and from what I've read, the climb is 2.5 miles up. What is the % incline?
And also what's the local consensus amongst people here about the difficulty of the climb?

Thanks, and my apologies if this is a repost.

[merider1]

Hi Icon. Trash Truck Hill is the hill I hate the most!! I'm assuming it's the same hill - the one that goes up to the gate and sign that says "Heli Spot" (which for the longest time I thought said, "Hell Spot" :p) Anyway, it's the hill that gets me. After the gate (Mt. Hollywood), I'm in love with the climb, the views etc, but TT Hill is a killer. Don't know stats, sorry. You should go up there at night as it's very pretty. :)

[roadfix]

TT hill is not steep at all. It's just a very short gentle climb. But for some reason I always tire very quickly on that climb. Perhaps there's more gravitational force there weighing you down. Like Mary mentioned, hop the closed gate at the top and the rest of climb is very nice. You can take that all the way to the observatory.

[merider1]

I agree, George. I think because it's long and unrelenting. Where as once you start Mt. Hollywood, you get a few switchbacks, and the views. :D

EDIT: you know, I wonder if we are talking about two different hills. I mean the one that you encounter coming from Forest Lawn and turning right.

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The hill I'm talking about eventually has a descent where you eventually come onto Los Feliz Blvd(I think). And when you do enter the climb there is a sign that says "Heli Spot."

If this is the same hill we are all talking about, how do you get to the observatory from there, I don't see where they would meet?

[merider1]

The hill I'm talking about eventually has a descent where you eventually come onto Los Feliz Blvd(I think). And when you do enter the climb there is a sign that says "Heli Spot."

If this is the same hill we are all talking about, how do you get to the observatory from there, I don't see where they would meet?

Ah...we're talking about the same hill. Tell ya what. You don't know me, but I'm mostly harmless. :p I'll put together a GP night ride in January (I need to get those going again). Only it will be a hard one, where we do a comprehensive tour of the park and all the various ways to climb up and down to the observatory, past the water tower, down to Los Feliz and back again! You'll see...it's all intertwined.

GP is my favorite stomping ground. I never tire of it. :)

[roadfix]

Are we talking about the same hill? OK, I'm in! :D

[merider1]

Are we talking about the same hill? OK, I'm in! :D

I doubt it, but you're in anyway. You're my token poser. :D

[icon]

Ah...we're talking about the same hill. Tell ya what. You don't know me, but I'm mostly harmless. :p I'll put together a GP night ride in January (I need to get those going again). Only it will be a hard one, where we do a comprehensive tour of the park and all the various ways to climb up and down to the observatory, past the water tower, down to Los Feliz and back again! You'll see...it's all intertwined.

GP is my favorite stomping ground. I never tire of it. :)

It sounds like fun. Count me in.:D

[merider1]

It sounds like fun. Count me in.:D

Oh, it is, especially at night! I love it up there at night. The sky is amazing and it is very secluded.

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The air is amazing up there. It's so close to the busy chaos that is city life, yet it feels so far away.

[roadfix]

I was just up there last Sat and shot this...

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/P1020043Medium.jpg

[merider1]

I love your pics, George. But look at the smog in this one. Couldn't you have dones something about that? :p

[roadfix]

I love your pics, George. But look at the smog in this one. Couldn't you have dones something about that? :pHad it been a crystal clear day I would be accused of photoshopping. :lol:

[thomson]

I was at the Getty the other day and it was crystal clear. Could see downtown and Catalina clearly. I would have brought my camera but didn't have George's bike to put in the foreground.

[merider1]

I was at the Getty the other day and it was crystal clear. Could see downtown and Catalina clearly. I would have brought my camera but didn't have George's bike to put in the foreground.

:lol:

I know, huh? It just doesn't seem the same unless his bike is in the shot.

[blarnie]

There are a couple different ways to do this and I think that's what makes riding in and around GP very good. From Los Feliz, you can take Fern Dell to the Observatory, it's short for a climb and not too steep. You could also connect to Mt. Hollywood to lengthen the climb, the first part beyond the gate is 7-8% for less than 1/2 mi. not too bad. From Travel Town you can take Griffith Park Dr. to Mt. Hollwood Dr., about 3/4 mi. with the steepest part about 7-8%, not bad for a short climb. At that point go past the gate on Mt. Hollywood Dr. and you have 2.5 mi. of traffic free (most days) of nice easy climbing with a couple of breaks. Near the top the last 1/8 - 1/4 mi. can go 8-9%, good for the last push practice efforts.

Mix and match and you have an excellent training regime for hill climbing. B+/A-.

If it's too cold in the Angeles for any long descents, I definitely head to the GP. Plus the snack shop at the Autry is very good too.

[merider1]

There are a couple different ways to do this and I think that's what makes riding in and around GP very good. From Los Feliz, you can take Fern Dell to the Observatory, it's short for a climb and not too steep. You could also connect to Mt. Hollywood to lengthen the climb, the first part beyond the gate is 7-8% for less than 1/2 mi. not too bad. From Travel Town you can take Griffith Park Dr. to Mt. Hollwood Dr., about 3/4 mi. with the steepest part about 7-8%, not bad for a short climb. At that point go past the gate on Mt. Hollywood Dr. and you have 2.5 mi. of traffic free (most days) of nice easy climbing with a couple of breaks. Near the top the last 1/8 - 1/4 mi. can go 8-9%, good for the last push practice efforts.

Mix and match and you have an excellent training regime for hill climbing. B+/A-.

If it's too cold in the Angeles for any long descents, I definitely head to the GP. Plus the snack shop at the Autry is very good too.

What he said. :D

[grrlyrida]

Ah...we're talking about the same hill. Tell ya what. You don't know me, but I'm mostly harmless. :p I'll put together a GP night ride in January (I need to get those going again). Only it will be a hard one, where we do a comprehensive tour of the park and all the various ways to climb up and down to the observatory, past the water tower, down to Los Feliz and back again! You'll see...it's all intertwined.

GP is my favorite stomping ground. I never tire of it. :)

Yay!! I finally get to go on a night ride. I just got a dinotte light from Santa. Thanks for organizing this Mary.

I thought tt hill is the hill that begins at travel town and goes by the sanitation dept and ends near the animal hospital on the other side. Am I wrong? I thought the helli spot was called mt hollywood?

[roadfix]

I just got a dinotte light from Santa.Excellent! Which one did he give you?

[merider1]

Yay!! I finally get to go on a night ride. I just got a dinotte light from Santa. Thanks for organizing this Mary.

I thought tt hill is the hill that begins at travel town and goes by the sanitation dept and ends near the animal hospital on the other side. Am I wrong? I thought the helli spot was called mt hollywood?

I think it's all the same hill. And you know, lady, I'm happy to ride up there any evening. If you want to do it next week, I'll take you up there. I just won't go alone, as that could be scary. But with one, two or more riders, it's a lot of fun. :)

[grrlyrida]

Santa brought me a 200L and it's bright. :) I'll go next week. I would love to try it out. I'm going up there in the daytime today via Ferndell.

[merider1]

Santa brought me a 200L and it's bright. :) I'll go next week. I would love to try it out. I'm going up there in the daytime today via Ferndell.

Can you ride next Thursday night? I'll put up a thread if so. :)

[roadfix]

Inner for Thurs nite.

[merider1]

Inner for Thurs nite.

:beer: Yippee! Haven't seen you in awhile.

[herbm]

:beer: Yippee! Haven't seen you in awhile.

I might be in for that also...

[merider1]

I might be in for that also...

Come on, Herby! It'll be fun. :) And if you do, I'll find a Wednesday to join on the Hill Hazing!

[mkadam68]

There are a couple different ways to do this and I think that's what makes riding in and around GP very good. From Los Feliz, you can take Fern Dell to the Observatory, it's short for a climb and not too steep. You could also connect to Mt. Hollywood to lengthen the climb, the first part beyond the gate is 7-8% for less than 1/2 mi. not too bad. From Travel Town you can take Griffith Park Dr. to Mt. Hollwood Dr., about 3/4 mi. with the steepest part about 7-8%, not bad for a short climb. At that point go past the gate on Mt. Hollywood Dr. and you have 2.5 mi. of traffic free (most days) of nice easy climbing with a couple of breaks. Near the top the last 1/8 - 1/4 mi. can go 8-9%, good for the last push practice efforts.

Mix and match and you have an excellent training regime for hill climbing. B+/A-.

If it's too cold in the Angeles for any long descents, I definitely head to the GP. Plus the snack shop at the Autry is very good too.I think this has been debated but I'm too lazy to search the forums:

We can take GP Drive up to Mt. Hollywood Dr, turn right, AND go past that gate? Last I was there, one side was open one side closed, but there were signs all over saying no access for bicycles, etc... Is it safe? Or is it some washed out road where my body won't be found 'til the next fire? I'd like to take it in the morning to enhance my training (I have an excellent lighting system).

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Jan 3rd. If it's not too too cold, I'll join as well along with a friend. Thanks for being an organizer, cause I know I'm well... not as organized.

[grrlyrida]

Yes you can cross the gate and go all the way to the observatory. They now have signs that says walk your bike, but I don't think they're working this week. Besides, I never walk my bike.

[roadfix]

We jump that gate and ride up to the observatory on our night rides. That's been our regular night ride route regardless of what the sign read.

[jpconrad]

Don't we go the opposite direction, though?

[herbm]

I think this has been debated but I'm too lazy to search the forums:

We can take GP Drive up to Mt. Hollywood Dr, turn right, AND go past that gate? Last I was there, one side was open one side closed, but there were signs all over saying no access for bicycles, etc... Is it safe? Or is it some washed out road where my body won't be found 'til the next fire? I'd like to take it in the morning to enhance my training (I have an excellent lighting system).

We rode it last Sunday....some bad spots, but nothing terrible....

[roadfix]

Don't we go the opposite direction, though?That depends on ME's mood...:D

[grrlyrida]

It just came from GP. Be careful if you go up Ferndell. Western Cyn is off the hook. There are cars parked on both sides for about a half mile. Pedestrians are walking next to the cars and cars are trying to squeeze through from both directions. It was a pleasure riding through Mt. Hollywood away from the holiday crowds.:)

[roadfix]

It just came from GP. Be careful if you go up Ferndell. Western Cyn is off the hook. There are cars parked on both sides for about a half mile. Pedestrians are walking next to the cars and cars are trying to squeeze through from both directions.It was even worse going up Ferndell last Saturday. Cars were parked on both side for close to a mile all the way down from the observatory. But I showed them who the King Of The Road was that day as I made the graceful ascent to the top!

[grrlyrida]

It was even worse going up Ferndell last Saturday. Cars were parked on both side for close to a mile all the way down from the observatory. But I showed them who the King Of The Road was that day as I made the graceful ascent to the top!

I was just thinking that everyone walking to their cars or in their cars looked with envy as Roadfix and his powerful calves road by. Men lowered their heads in shame and women sighed with longing. Definitely you wear the crown!:D

[roadfix]

Thank you Vanessa. I definitely owned that road.

[merider1]

Thank you Vanessa. I definitely owned that road.

Oh, Brother. :rolleyes: Well, you can own Mt. Hollywood next Thursday and get them rabbits and deer off that road as we climb it. :D

[roadfix]

Oh, Brother. :rolleyes: Well, you can own Mt. Hollywood next Thursday and get them rabbits and deer off that road as we climb it. :DNo, we should all stick closely together on these night rides. I'm afraid of coyotes at night.

[merider1]

No, we should all stick closely together on these night rides. I'm afraid of coyotes at night.

Just carry Kibble in your pocket and toss them a little. That should do the trick.

[herbm]

GP ride - Sunday 12/30 - herbm, markaj, n2glock, roncircus, sshakari ( who got an awesome white Look 585 btw)
Trash Truck Hill - Mt Hollywood Dr - over to the other side gate then back up, then down MT Hollywood and TT to the bike path for a loop...then Forest lawn...
Starting at my place in Burbank at 9AM
PM for details if you are interested

[mkadam68]

How long of a ride, Herb?

[herbm]

How long of a ride, Herb?

Usually its 27-30 miles...
Some good climbing up to Mt Hollywood...
a couple of good sprints on the bike path...then a fairly fast pace on the bp...
Mark and I did it last weekend..we worked pretty hard!
Had a good pace line going at about 18-19 mph on the bike path...had some girl jump in with us and traded pulls..

[herbm]

Wow...Great ride today.....
markaj, n2glock, robncircus, mkadam68, sshakari....

thanks to n2glock for taking us around some really nice roads on the LA side above Loz Feliz...
Thanks to mkadam68 for the 21 mph pull on the bike path!

[merider1]

Wow...Great ride today.....
markaj, n2glock, robncircus, mkadam68, sshakari....

thanks to n2glock for taking us around some really nice roads on the LA side above Loz Feliz...
Thanks to mkadam68 for the 21 mph pull on the bike path!

:cry: I wish I could have joined.

[mkadam68]

I did a little bit of searching here and there, and have a few questions about Garbage Hill. From what I remember from the ride and from what I've read, the climb is 2.5 miles up. What is the % incline?
And also what's the local consensus amongst people here about the difficulty of the climb?

Thanks, and my apologies if this is a repost.

Okay, after today's ride, stats are in (provided by Ascent software & Garmin Edge 305):

Trash Truck Hill
Starting from Travel Town entrance (corner of Forest Lawn Dr & Griffith Park Dr) up to the gate of Mt. Hollywood Rd
0.7 miles
220 feet elevation gain
6.2% average gradient
9.0% max gradient (last 100 feet or so)
Easiest gradients are at the bottom: it gets steeper as you go up

Mt. Hollywood Climb (Does this have a special name?)
Starting from the gate to the top of the climb
2.6 miles
630 feet elevation gain
20 feet of elevation loss
4.5% average gradient
10.1% max gradient
First parts of climb are easy enough. Last 1/4-mile averages 8.8% gradient w/max of 10.1% Lots of debris all over the road. I flatted at the top.

Trash Truck Hill
From the LA side, corner of Griffith Park Dr & Crystal Springs Dr to the top (about 100 feet before Mt. Hollywood turn-off to the left)
1.9 miles
332 feet elevation gain
20 feet elevation loss
3.2% average gradient (the climb stair-steps up at the beginning: climb...flat...climb...flat...)
9.8% max gradient (about 2 or 300 feet from the top)
Watch out for the humongous Pac-Man heads in the road at the start!

BTW: Saw one coyote heeding the call of nature by the side of the road--he wasn't skittish around us either.

thanks to n2glock for taking us around some really nice roads on the LA side above Loz Feliz...
Thanks to mkadam68 for the 21 mph pull on the bike path!

I just followed markaj's wheel and pulled through. But thanks. You're doing great, BTW Herb! Keep up the good work.

n2glock: nice area. Thanks. I'm gonna go buy some new brake pads now. :rolleyes:

[sshakari]

Here is my stats from G305 with map and grade:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/sshakari/Road-Zoo12-30-2007.jpghttp://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/sshakari/Road-Zoo12-30-2007Grade-Distance.jpg

[herbm]

:cry: I wish I could have joined.
It was fun....wish you could have made it also!!
we'll do it again!

[herbm]

Okay, after today's ride, stats are in (provided by Ascent software & Garmin Edge 305):

Trash Truck Hill
Starting from Travel Town entrance (corner of Forest Lawn Dr & Griffith Park Dr) up to the gate of Mt. Hollywood Rd
0.7 miles
220 feet elevation gain
6.2% average gradient
9.0% max gradient (last 100 feet or so)
Easiest gradients are at the bottom: it gets steeper as you go up

Mt. Hollywood Climb (Does this have a special name?)
Starting from the gate to the top of the climb
2.6 miles
630 feet elevation gain
20 feet of elevation loss
4.5% average gradient
10.1% max gradient
First parts of climb are easy enough. Last 1/4-mile averages 8.8% gradient w/max of 10.1% Lots of debris all over the road. I flatted at the top.

Trash Truck Hill
From the LA side, corner of Griffith Park Dr & Crystal Springs Dr to the top (about 100 feet before Mt. Hollywood turn-off to the left)
1.9 miles
332 feet elevation gain
20 feet elevation loss
3.2% average gradient (the climb stair-steps up at the beginning: climb...flat...climb...flat...)
9.8% max gradient (about 2 or 300 feet from the top)
Watch out for the humongous Pac-Man heads in the road at the start!

BTW: Saw one coyote heeding the call of nature by the side of the road--he wasn't skittish around us either.



I just followed markaj's wheel and pulled through. But thanks. You're doing great, BTW Herb! Keep up the good work.

n2glock: nice area. Thanks. I'm gonna go buy some new brake pads now. :rolleyes:

Wow...thanks for the awesome stats...I always wanted to know how the hills rated...very cool....

Thanks...my flat riding is definitely better...my hill climbing still needs work...another 12-15 lbs is the goal...and that should help as well as chasing all you guys up these things.......

yeah..new brake pads:lol: