Trail Run to Beacon Hill

The starting point for your run is at the Griffith Park Southern Railroad. From the parking lot walk east crossing Crystal Springs Drive and find the Coolidge Hiking Trail. Begin running up Coolidge Trail toward Upper Beacon Trail making sure to stay straight at the first intersection (0.2 miles). You will pass a golf course driving range on your right before coming to a second intersection (0.6 miles). Turn right and continue to follow Coolidge Trail for 0.7 miles to the 5-points, from here turn right to connect with Upper Beacon Trail, culminating with Beacon Hill just 650 feet ahead. 

Beacon Hill was once, as the name suggests, the home of a large light beacon. Placed there in the early 1900's, it was used to help pilots land at the old Grand Central Airport in Glendale (the main airport before LAX opened). There is no longer any trace of the light that once warned incoming pilots of the Griffith Park peaks, but the view is no less fantastic.  

Now at the top of Beacon Hill you will now have run 1.6 miles ascending over 600 feet in the process. From the top you can relax and enjoy views of downtown LA and Glendale, the LA River, and downtown Burbank with the Verdugo Mountains towering behind. 

From here you can either return the way you came, totaling 3.2 miles, or continue onto one of the many other trails Griffith Park has to offer via the 5-points intersection.