Hiking to Dante’s Peak and Visiting the Griffith Park Observatory
The bridge up the Dante’s Peak trail.
Last Saturday Denise’s family decided to get together and have a picnic. Deciding we wanted to do a little bit more than a picnic we decided to go and do a little hike together. The original plan was to go all the way to the top of the Hollywood sign, but after research showed that it was going to be 6 miles round trip we opted for a shorter 3.5 mile trip up to Dante’s Peak.
The hike up to Dante’s Peak wasn’t too bad. We got there at 9 AMwhich was good for two reasons. One, it wasn’t too hot and two, there was still parking at the observatory. I think if we had gotten there 5 mins. later we would have been out of luck. The trail up to Dante’s peak is well defined and offers beautiful views over Los Angeles and all the way to the ocean. Just before Dante’s Peak is Dante’s View. At Dante’s view there are some benches and a water fountain.
Uncle Bob carries Madison up at Dante’s View.
The family on the way up to Dante’s Peak.
John, Madison, and AJ taking a break to look at the Hollywood sign.
From the Dante’s Peak trail you can see all the way to the ocean.
The Wrights, Aunt Judy, and AJ looking at the “Hollywoo” sign (when you get up there you will get it).
Berlin Forrest picnic area offers some great views of LA.
AJ saw these guys exercising on top of Dante’s peak.
Once AJ saw people exercising up on Dante’s Peak he had to do it as well.
After going taking in the views at Dante’s peak we went had a little picnic back at the trailhead in a little campsite called the Berlin Forrest (LA and Berlin apparently are sister cities). We also went to go and see the Griffith Park Observatory. The planetarium shows cost about $7 dollars, but everything else is free. AJ was really enthusiastic about the lecture on how to build a comet. I on the other hand enjoyed a nap in an air conditioned room.
We saw a Tesla Coil. Which was interesting but I didn’t get it’s usefulness other than it sparked.
The telescope inside the dome was big.
This solar telescope focuses in light and provides really detailed pictures of the mountain range.
A view from the roof of the observatory.
This was the first US rocket to make orbit. It is full scale. As you can see, it wasn’t very big.
This is a view of the planets exhibit from the view of Pluto (which is still considered a planet in New Mexico).
The Griffith Park Observatory is a great place to learn new things.
The murals from the 1930s show in pictograph man’s progress in science.
A moon rock.
AJ enjoyed the lecture, John enjoyed a nap.
When we finally left Griffith park at about 2:00 PM. The place was packed! There was no parking at the observatory and the park rangers were diverting all cars off the road to the observatory. For us it was a great time, we were going the opposite way of traffic by that time and except for some minor stop and go on the freeway got home great.
We got a quick view of the Centennial Aqueduct up on the way to the observatory.
Fun hike and great company.
wow! Wish we had come along. Looks like fun.
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