Captain’s Roost & Dante’s View

The route to these two gardens above the Griffith Observatory just below Mount Hollywood is 2.5 miles. This is the simplist route to check out these funky spots. If there were a competition, Dante’s View would kick The Captain’s butt. And no, I haven’t found out why those two rows of palms trees are there. I’m working on it!

The Parking – The parking lot above the Greek Theater is your first stop unless… the Greek Theater is using it. If it is, do a different trail today. On a nice day, the lot fills quickly so as you are driving up Vermont Ave from Los Feliz keep your head on a swivel and snatch any parking spot that’s open once you’re in sight of The Greek!
The Best Thing – The many hidden little benches inside Dante’s View are surrounded with lush, green plants galore. Instead of Dante’s View it should be called Dante’s Garden That Also Has A Pretty Good View. A little long, I get it.
The Route – From the Greek Theater parking lot head through the open field to the north and before you get to the end you will see an opening in the fence on your right. That allows you to cross the street over to The Bird Sanctuary. Don’t go in there! There is a trail to the left of the sanctuary that heads uphill. Take it.

This skinny and steep trail heads above and behind Griffith Observatory. It’s a little more than 1/2 mile to the main 5 way intersection.

The uphill route to your left heads towards Captain’s Roost. You might be able to see the double row of palm trees from the intersection. Do NOT take the steep and slickery short cut straight in front of you. I’m sure you are practically the Free Solo rock climbing guy but, don’t. Instead head to the left towards the palm trees and boom. You quickly arrive at The Captain’s Roost. Hike down there and it fizzles out in a hundred yards or so. There’s no real ‘there’ there so… just turn around and head back to the main trail above the palm trees.

Turn left to continue uphill and you will be rounding the back side of Mt. Hollywood. We are not going to the peak today. I mean YOU can do what you want, but WE are not. This section of trail tops out at the bottom end of the Mt. Hollywood “mesa” and we will turn left and head downhill. You will see a picnic table are in front of you and turn left again there. Immediately you hit a 4 way intersection with the 3 Mile Trail heading downhill to your left, the North Trail straight ahead and slightly uphill, and the Hogback Trail is a hairpin right turn and heads downhill. Take that. The Hogback Trail.

It is maybe 100 yards and you hit Dante’s View. Which is actually a super cool garden with benches and views. The sign that says Dante’s View is to the left, but the entrance to the garden is to the right. Turn right at the intersection above Dante’s View, enter the garden, look at views and plants and read a book and say ‘Namaste’ and then back to the trail.

Continue downhill to your left and you will arrive at the 5 way intersection you hit on your way up. Remember where you came up? Go back down that way. Not the hard left turn that becomes a nasty downhill, the soft left turn that feels MUCH steeper going down than coming up.

You are heading back to The Bird Sanctuary. Pop out at the bottom of the hill. Walk along Vermont Road and when you get to the parking lot cross the street and back to your car. 2.5 miles. Boom.