HIKING THE HARDEST TRAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Hiking Mt. Thom To The Tongva Peak From Brand Park
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
- This video follows me on a difficult hike which starts at Brand Park and goes up the Verdugo mountains, ending with a beautiful 360 degree view of the surrounding cities.
Follow me on Instagram: @dneyts
Verdugo Mountains Glendale:
The Verdugo Mountains, also known as the Verdugo Hills or simply The Verdugos, are a small, rugged mountain range of the Transverse Ranges system in Los Angeles County, California. Surrounded entirely by urban development, the Verdugo Mountains represent an isolated wildlife island and are in large part under public ownership in the form of undeveloped parkland. The mountains are used primarily for recreation in the form of hiking and mountain biking, and as the site of communications installations on the highest peaks.
Brand Park:
Brand Park is a 31 acre park nestled at the base of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale, California. The park offers hiking and biking trails, a softball field, a children's playground, and a seasonal children's wading pool. In addition, the park has several picnic areas which provide a relaxing setting for people to have some food surrounded by nature. The Miss American Green Cross statue at the trail head stands as a monument to the environmental movement. This location also has a traditional teahouse “Shoseian” or “Whispering Pine” which was built in 1974. It is one of the few traditional Japanese Teahouses open to the public in the United States and represents the spirit of goodwill, lasting peace and friendship between the people of Japan and the USA. Next to the teahouse there’s also a museum called the doctor’s house which was built in 1888. This house originally stood on Wilson Avenue but was moved to its present location in 1979. The Doctors House lawn area and gazebo are available for weddings and other special events.
El Miradero - Brand Castle & Library:
What is now Brand Library was built in 1904 as Leslie C. Brand's home, called the Miradero, which is described as "a high place overlooking a wide view." After Brand and his wife’s death, his estate went to the City of Glendale and was turned into a public library and park. In 1969, a modernized version of the original Saracenic design, added 21,000 sq. ft. which includes an art gallery, a recital hall, a sculpture court, and Brand Park Studios. This addition was built as "the cultural showplace of Glendale." Today, a path behind the park leads hikers to various trails going into the Verdugo Mountains. Beginning with foothills, they rapidly rise to rugged sections, with the highest peaks topping 3,000', nearly as high as the nearby Santa Susana Mountains.
Brand Park Library Hiking Trail:
Initially I was planning on taking the moderate trail, but when I saw the paved ground I decided to go on the dirt trail which lead me to the Mount Thom and Tongva Peak Loop which is a 6.7 mile hike that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult because of it’s steady incline. This trailhead is open from dawn to dusk and is perhaps one of the toughest hikes in the San Fernando Valley.
Different hiking trails a Brand Park - Nature at Brand Park:
Even though I chose to walk on the hardest trail, Brand Park actually offers a total of 8 official hiking trails, and I can guarantee you that all the other hikes in this location are much easier than the steep hill trail that I took. Actually this hike is so difficult that expert hikers use it as a training course for harder hikes, such as Mt. Whitney or Cactus-to-Clouds. As a word of warning, this type of sharp elevation gain is recommended only for experienced hikers and should not be done for people who don’t have at least a good level of health. It’s difficult and I really recommend to take a ton of water. On the plus side, the view gets more amazing as the elevation gets higher.
Water Tanks and dry weather in California:
Just to put it into perspective. In 2021 there was a total of 8619 recorded fires, burning 2,569,009 acres across the state of California. At least 3629 building have been destroyed by the wildfires, and at least seven firefighters and two civilians have been injured battling the fires. The long term trend is that wildfires in California are increasing due to climate change. So, having multiple water tanks on the side of hills is imperative in order to ensure that firefighters are able to fight back all the fires that are prone to happen in this region.
#verdugomountains #brandpark #tongvapeak
Enjoyed the video. Interesting facts. Would love to see the views on a clear day. I’ll bet they would be spectacular!
I'm doing quiet a few hiking videos so I'm sure I'll eventually stumble on a day when the views are clear. LA is really hit and miss with the combination of smog and water vapor from the sea.
I stumbled upon your video while doing a Google search - I am trying to find out what those yellow flowers (with the reddish bark on the stems) that are blooming in the Verdugo's. They smell fantastic and it's the first time I've smelled been overwhelmed with the aroma in these mountains.
I've been doing weekly hikes in the Verdugo's for almost two years. I actually found the trail behind the Brand Library about 5 years ago and I hiked up to 7 Trees, then came back down. I came back a year or so later and did it again, then I didn't come back until Sept 2020. The reason I came back, was that my regular trail (Mt Wilson Trail in Sierra Madre) was closed due to the fire. My first trip up to Verdugo Motorway was via 7 Trees, then to Mt Thom and Tongva Peak - I went down Brand Motorway. I actually liked the hike and since then, I've hiked those trails continually.
I've hiked almost all the trails in the Verdugo's. I think I know the one you went up - it's the one that starts just up from the Brand Motorway and 7 Trees split. It heads up, then up - has a section that is less steep with some ups and downs, then heads back up to Tongva Peak. There's a nice bench up there and of course the radio towers. For me, it's a direct way up, but it is steep. My recommended way up is to continue up Brand Motorway to Verdugo Motorway. Turn left and take the steep trail up to a nice landing - great views up there. Then follow the trail, where it connects to Verdugo Motorway. I follow it up to Verdugo Peak (sometimes taking the singletrack ridge trails) where I take a break and enjoy the views. I'll continue on, most times I continue to Anna's Garden (there's one of those lounge chairs right before) - you have to go up another hill to get there, but it's not as difficult as it looks. Or, I stay on Verdugo Motorway and continue to the Wishing Tree or to the Boy Scouts Camp, then to the Wishing Tree. It's a long hike, but the views and history in the area are wonderful - an surprisingly, there are very few hikers/biker using the trails. Another cool area is the Plantation Lateral turn off (about 1/2 mile past Verdugo Peak on the right. There's a tree swing and trails heading down to La Tuna Canyon road or the trail head at La Tuna Canyon Road. You can also explore some great trails that lead to a three vehicle car wreck site or you can go to the area where the military plane from La Bamba crashed (the plane the had the mid air collision over the Pacoima school).
One other thing you need to do. When you're next to the wash basin near the start of the trail, follow the trail away from the parking lot. There's a cemetery with a pyramid (I think it's the Brand Family), then follow the trail further back and there's rock walls, foundations and dams further back. On the way back out, just before you get to where the trails meet, look to your right and you'll see a small locked door built into the hillside. I have no idea what it is, but you can walk up and check it out. Also, there's a building foundation right where the trails split (you'll see steps leading to remnants).
Other hikes close by you should do.
1. Echo Mountain (Altadena) - where the huge hotel and funicular was.
2. Inspiration Point (above Echo Mountain)
3. Mt Lowe (above Inspiration Point)
4. Mueller Tunnel (easy access from Red Box Road).
5. Mt Wilson Trail to Mt Wilson in Sierra Madre - First Water, Orchard Camp and Mt Wilson all in one hike.
6. Cucamonga Peak - you'll pass these old cabins that people still live in! And an old abandoned mine - further up and some of the most spectacular views at the top! I like the views better than Baldy.
7. Plane wrecks near Baldy trail - two old planes crashed and the debris is still there - large pieces!
8. Bridge to Nowhere - Easy hike with a little distance - Head up 39 from Azusa to get there.
There are so many others, but those are my favorites.
On my to do list: 3T's, San Jacinto (from Idlewild), Baden - Powell and San Gorgonio. I'm hoping to conquer all four this year! Then maybe Mt Whitney???
Happy Trails!
OMG I love your comment. You know so much about trails and this definitely helps me in getting ideas on what trails to do next. I didn't know there were wrecked planes and debris. I will have to check them out. This area really has so many trails to explore.
I was born in Glendale and lived here all my life.
I have been hiking Brand Park since I was a child.
You stated, "Brand Park actually offers a total of 8 official hiking trails"
Which are the 8?
1) Brand Park Drive Fire Road (Doctor's house) passing the Cemetery. (unofficial)
2) Brand Park Drive Fire Road (Doctor's house) to Brand Motorway
3) Brand Park Drive Fire Road (Doctor's house) to Tongva
4) Brand Park Drive Fire Road (Doctor's house) to Lateral/Seven Trees/Thom
5) Green Cross to Seven Trees/Thom
6) Lateral/Library to Seven Trees/Thom
7) Hidden City View to Seven Trees/Thom (Closed/Over grown)
Thanks for watching the video. Here is a website that lists the 8 trails at Brand Park: www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/brand-park
@@TheDavidNeytsShow I see, they recycle paths and connect them in different order. If we use combos like these, I have counted 40 trails. I have a goal of hiking each of the 40 combos, about 75% done.
Better late than never David. Good stuff. Get that blood flowing! Cardio (in full blown Nature) is the road to awe.
Yes, I agree! This hike certainly gave me a good cardio and my legs were tired the next day, but it was so much fun and challenging. Such a beautiful place.
Have you done a hike of Mt. Lowe?
No, I have not done that one yet but it is on my bucket list of places to hike.
nice video brother very informative 👍👍
what a mega Overkill hike is this one ... congratulation because you made it to the top and keep it up with new videos my friend ✌️✌️
Thanks, it was a crazy hike, I was not expecting it to be so steep. I do like to give a lot of information in my videos. Keep it up with your videos too, maybe we'll meet on another hike ;-)
BTW, when asking my question I forgot to mention just how much I enjoyed your Brand park hike video and commentary. After seeing it, I immediately subscribed.
Thank you John. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. I certainly was a beautiful place to hike and now I need to make it a point to go back to Brand Park to visit the Japanese tearoom and doctor's house museum.
You might enjoy the Miracle Tree trail. It's not only a great view, but it's got an amazing story behind it.
Thanks Jeff for the recommendation. I am going to add it to my list of trails to make videos of 😀
What and where is the Miracle Tree Trail? Can't seem to find it with google.
Wow as you said: that smog is huge! Is LA like in Athenes? I mean, in a sort of valley to keep much longer the smog than an another city?
Besides that your video was great as always, very nice views! And I loved the relax sign man! So original and peaceful philosophy 💖
Because of the tectonic plates in California the earth quakes over time have created mountains with valleys in between them. The fact that the city is surrounded by mountains creates the perfect condition to have sitting smog over the city. Sometimes it's clear and sometimes it's as you saw in the video. Either way I always find the views amazing.