Today was a beautiful, sunny day so a friend and I decided to go riding in Griffith Park. The last time I rode there, I was only able to ride on the bridle paths next to the freeway and golf course because of the threat of heavy rain. Today was much better so we decided to head up into the hills.
For those who may not know, Griffith Park is a Park located in Los Angeles on the borders of Glendale and Burbank and a large part of it is still relatively underveloped with a network of trails. It's not the most ideal riding environment due to the joggers and bike riders but it's not bad, especially as you go further into the park. A good part of the park is in mountainous terrain and it makes for some spectacular views (it's technically part of the Santa Monica Mountains).
We parked our rig in a dirt parking lot located on Zoo Drive, just accross the street from the trail leading up into the mountains. The trail is actually a fire road and the grade is pretty steep, probably one of the steepest road/trail I've ever climbed with Max but he was up to the task and we proceeded at a walk. Although there were the usual hikers and such, it was nice to see some other riders (probably out of the LA Equestrian Center or one of the other barns close by). At sveral points we transitioned into a good forward trot, which is actually easier on horses going uphill than just a plain walk).
After about 15 minutes or so, we arrived at the top and we proceeded to take a break- there was a tub with water and plenty of nice green grass so Max definitely was a happy guy. It also helped that he was with his usual travelling companion (Max gets along very well with my friend's horse) and he was very relaxed and attentive.
We had a choice of directions so we opted to take a ridge route that travels along the back of the LA Zoo and eventually drops down to the flats by the Zoo parking lot. We then linked up with the main bridal path that follows the freeway. We had a choice of either making a right and going towards the Autry Mueseum and golf course or making a left and following the freeway towards Forest Lawn Cemetary. Since we'd previously been to the golf course (one of the hazards of riding past the golf course is dodging the occassional flying golf ball- no joke), we opted to go the other way.
Click HERE for a map. Our ride was at teh north end with the start point not too far away from the LA Live Steamers.
During our ride, we trotted for several long stretches and once we got down on the flats by Zoo Drive, we cantered out. The horses were definitely in heaven and Max was defnitely motivated to move out. :-). We decided to head towards the LA Equestrian Center so we followed the bridal path through several tunnels (kind of scary happing other horses in a tunnel). We thencrossed the LA River over a wire suspension bridge that would bob up and down...it didn't seem to bug the horses any but it made me abit nervious- no Indiana Jones situations here please!
We then followed a wide trail leading around the LA Equestian Center and even cantered for much of the way- that was sweet. We finally wound up by Viva's Fresh Mexican Restaurant where we tied up the horses and went to lunch. We were able to eat in a backroom that overlooks the tie railso we could keep an eye on the horses. Margaritas and Mexian food were a definite good end to a nice three-hour ride. :-)
After lunch, we ambled back and the horses were defintely moving out- must have been the fact that we were headed back to the trailer... :-) I was amazed to see the large number of riders out on the trail to include a LOT of rental riders.
Overall, it was an excellent ride and while you are never really away from people, it's still a nice ride and there are some physically challenging trails. However, you do have to be constantly vigilant, especially for joggers who are plugged into the I-Pod thingies and are completely oblivious to their surroundings- Max sometimes reacts to people running up on him from behind (duh, he's a horse) and I have to be ready.
I'll definitely be back again. :-)
For those who may not know, Griffith Park is a Park located in Los Angeles on the borders of Glendale and Burbank and a large part of it is still relatively underveloped with a network of trails. It's not the most ideal riding environment due to the joggers and bike riders but it's not bad, especially as you go further into the park. A good part of the park is in mountainous terrain and it makes for some spectacular views (it's technically part of the Santa Monica Mountains).
We parked our rig in a dirt parking lot located on Zoo Drive, just accross the street from the trail leading up into the mountains. The trail is actually a fire road and the grade is pretty steep, probably one of the steepest road/trail I've ever climbed with Max but he was up to the task and we proceeded at a walk. Although there were the usual hikers and such, it was nice to see some other riders (probably out of the LA Equestrian Center or one of the other barns close by). At sveral points we transitioned into a good forward trot, which is actually easier on horses going uphill than just a plain walk).
After about 15 minutes or so, we arrived at the top and we proceeded to take a break- there was a tub with water and plenty of nice green grass so Max definitely was a happy guy. It also helped that he was with his usual travelling companion (Max gets along very well with my friend's horse) and he was very relaxed and attentive.
We had a choice of directions so we opted to take a ridge route that travels along the back of the LA Zoo and eventually drops down to the flats by the Zoo parking lot. We then linked up with the main bridal path that follows the freeway. We had a choice of either making a right and going towards the Autry Mueseum and golf course or making a left and following the freeway towards Forest Lawn Cemetary. Since we'd previously been to the golf course (one of the hazards of riding past the golf course is dodging the occassional flying golf ball- no joke), we opted to go the other way.
Click HERE for a map. Our ride was at teh north end with the start point not too far away from the LA Live Steamers.
During our ride, we trotted for several long stretches and once we got down on the flats by Zoo Drive, we cantered out. The horses were definitely in heaven and Max was defnitely motivated to move out. :-). We decided to head towards the LA Equestrian Center so we followed the bridal path through several tunnels (kind of scary happing other horses in a tunnel). We thencrossed the LA River over a wire suspension bridge that would bob up and down...it didn't seem to bug the horses any but it made me abit nervious- no Indiana Jones situations here please!
We then followed a wide trail leading around the LA Equestian Center and even cantered for much of the way- that was sweet. We finally wound up by Viva's Fresh Mexican Restaurant where we tied up the horses and went to lunch. We were able to eat in a backroom that overlooks the tie railso we could keep an eye on the horses. Margaritas and Mexian food were a definite good end to a nice three-hour ride. :-)
After lunch, we ambled back and the horses were defintely moving out- must have been the fact that we were headed back to the trailer... :-) I was amazed to see the large number of riders out on the trail to include a LOT of rental riders.
Overall, it was an excellent ride and while you are never really away from people, it's still a nice ride and there are some physically challenging trails. However, you do have to be constantly vigilant, especially for joggers who are plugged into the I-Pod thingies and are completely oblivious to their surroundings- Max sometimes reacts to people running up on him from behind (duh, he's a horse) and I have to be ready.
I'll definitely be back again. :-)
View of breautiful Downtown Burbank...
My compadre looking down upon Burbank...
Max and I take in the view...
Lunch break at Viva's Fresh Mexican Restaurant. Margaritas for me, water for Max (yeah, beer for Max sounds better but I didn't have any :-))
2 comments:
Wow, that looks like a really nice ride!
Thanks! It's truly a beautiful patch of hills and mountains sandwiched by urban sprawl in all directions. At one time, many of the major ranches supplying horses to the film industry were located along the LA River in the area where we went to lunch. Alas, no more...
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