Wisdom Tree
DETAILS:
Location: On top of Burbank Peak on the western end of Griffith Park. The easiest route is to take the Barham exit from the 101N freeway. Make a right on Barham and another right on Lake Hollywood Drive until you reach the intersection with Wonder View Drive. After parking on Lake Hollywood Drive, walk east on Wonder View Drive for approximately 1/4 mile until you reach the Burbank Peak trailhead.
Hours of Operation: Sunrise to sunset
Parking: Free street parking on Lake Hollywood Drive. Please observe any posted street signs.
Cost: Free!
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours. Add a couple more hours if you chose to hike to the Hollywood Sign once you’ve reached Wisdom Tree.
Miscellaneous:
The hike is approximately 3 miles out & back and has an extremely steep ascent.
Once you’ve reached Wisdom Tree, you can elect to take the trail eastbound to Cahuenga Peak (.4 miles) and then to Mount Lee (.8 miles) to reach the rear-side of the Hollywood Sign.
While technically dog-friendly, please note that the trail is super rocky and might be fairly tough for your four-legged friend.
If you drive the 101 or 134 freeway with any sort of regularity, you’ve probably noticed it countless times during your commute without ever realizing it; a lone pine tree perched sky-high on the ridgeline that separates Burbank from Hollywood. This is Wisdom Tree (also known as the Tree of Life, the Magic Tree, or the Giving Tree). For years, I assumed this monolith was unreachable due to its location, only meant to be admired from afar. But I eventually discovered that a trail existed (thanks Google) which leads to its summit, providing magnificent panoramic views of both Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley.
If you believe its lore, Wisdom Tree was one of several discarded Christmas trees planted on the peak by a group of friends lead by John Smirch. Wisdom Tree was the only one that would go on to survive, should this origin story hold true. What is fact, however, is that Wisdom Tree miraculously survived the Hollywood Hills Fire of 2007 that scorched 160 acres of land around it. Wisdom Tree also survived private real estate plans in 2010 that would’ve turned the peak into a plot of luxury homes had it not been for local activists who raised enough money to buy the land back in order to turn it over to the park system (it was annexed by Griffith Park shortly there after).
Wisdom Tree is a testament to endurance and you too will need to endure if you want to experience it in person since the trek up will have your lungs burning throughout, but I promise that the destination will be worth it. Once you reach the top, you’ll be greeted by one of the few spots in the entire city where you can see both Los Angeles and the Valley from a single location, a rare bird’s-eye view of Lake Hollywood, an American Flag posted in honor of 9/11, and of course, the splendor of Wisdom Tree. You’ll also notice the ammo box that sits at its base. Placed there and still maintained by Mark Rowlands, one of Wisdom Tree’s faithful guardians, the ammo box provides pen and paper to write down whatever message you are inspired with after completing your pilgrimage. Once you’ve caught your breath and finish taking in the views (both will take a while), why not continue your journey to the rear of the Hollywood Sign which is accessible by the trail that leads eastbound to Mount Lee. Go the extra mile… literally.
