hikethevalleyLA: Griffith Park: Mineral Wells Picnic Area to Amir's Garden

Distance: 1 mile roundtrip

Difficulty: easy, great for children

Time: 30-45 minutes plus time to poke around.

Views: Glendale, the 134 freeway, Harding Municipal Golf Course.

Directions:

From the 5:
Take the Western Ave Exit.
Go straight through the light at Lake Street to the light at Victory Blvd.
Turn Left on Victory.
Go straight through the light at Riverside Drive, continue across the LA River Bridge until the Road dead-ends at Zoo Drive in Griffith Park.
Turn RIGHT on Zoo Drive.
Go straight at the stop sign at Zoo Drive and Griffith Park Drive and follow the road for about a mile to the Mineral Wells Picnic area.
You'll pass the composting facility. If you pass the golf course, turn around. You've gone too far.

From the 134:
Take the Forest Lawn Exit.
Turn left onto Zoo Drive, then your first right onto Griffith Park Drive.
Go straight at the stop sign at Zoo Drive and Griffith Park Drive and follow the road for about a mile to the Mineral Wells Picnic area.
You'll pass the composting facility. If you pass the golf course, turn around. You've gone too far.

Parking: You can park at the south end of the Mineral Wells Parking Lot (Mineral Wells Drive) if it's open. You can also park on Griffith Park Drive or further south in the lot adjacent to the driving range.

Mineral Well Picnic Area

Cell reception? Yes, entire hike.

Trail condition: Well maintained fire road. The trail is shared with horses, so watch out for those "horse apples"!

Fresh water: in the picnic area.

Public bathrooms: in the picnic area.

Description:

Amir's Garden Trailhead

The trailhead is south of the Mineral Wells Picnic Area right off of Griffith Park Drive. There's no sign that says, "This way to Amir's Garden," but look up. If you see a green water tank, you're in the right place.

Hike uphill. You'll pass under that first water tower you saw at the trailhead. About a third of a mile in, you'll have to walk around the second water tower.