Mount Thom and Tongva Peak Loop is a 6.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Burbank, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
This trailhead is open from dawn to dusk. Perhaps one of the toughest hikes in the San Fernando Valley, this trail can be used as a training course for harder hikes (such as Mt. Whitney or Cactus-to-Clouds). The sharp elevation gain is recommended only for experienced hikers. For those who endure the challenge, you will be rewarded with some of the best views in the valley. Be sure to bring plenty of water...and even more willpower.
January 19, 2021first 1.5 miles are no joke, straight up the whole way. great workout
January 10, 2021Like people say it’s a good workout, pretty steep for the first mile and a half or so. The trail is wide and a bit boring, view is okay but nothing crazy due to the smog in LA. Still nice to do early in the morning while the sun is coming up.
January 6, 2021It’s an amazing trail. At the beginning super steep but it’s a leg work. Loved it! Limited parking and bathroom in the park
December 25, 20204 star trail, 5 star view. Almost no people on a gorgeous morning. Recommend starting/ending from behind the library—it’s easy to pick up the trail from there. The first 1.5mi is very steep, but wide and not slippery. Tricky to run, punishing (and fun) to hike. Rewarded by several amazing lookouts to Griffith Park and downtown LA on your way up. At the top, you can see all the way to the ocean. On the ridge line, you have the option several times to choose wide fire roads or a scrambly ridge line—with great views north to Angeles crest and south to downtown and the ocean. The trail down is all fire road, fast running. I look forward to exploring some of the (many!) other trails up there on a future run.
December 16, 2020Brand Motorway was 95% unmasked. Avoid unless you're planning on hiking with an N95 and a HazMat suit. Next time: Mt Thom out and back.
December 12, 2020Dis hike was no joke, loco. Serio. Maybe it was ‘cause I ate a whole bag of hot cheeeerrrrrooos right before, but damn foo I straight yacked when I got to the top. No hynas on dis hike. Just a bunch of old ass tortas foo
December 10, 2020Hard! Very steep. Poles recommended. The way down is quite sandy.
November 23, 2020November 23, 2020Beginning part was super steep and fun. The way down was kinda tedious and boring.
November 22, 2020Good workout. Lots of sun. Views of the valleys.
November 16, 2020November 10, 2020I do this often but for some reason it was extra brutal this time. Have I forgotten how hard this hike is? Or am I just out of shape? Of interest: a small brush fire blew through here right around the tail-end of the Bobcat in the ANF, so a lot of people missed this one. Thankfully it was contained in short order. You can get a good view about three quarters of a mile in of the scorched landscape, and the air around there smells like BBQ. Other than that it’s the same old trail: steep, gravelly, and not much to look at, although if you keep your eyes peeled, you might see a bunny or two in the first mile. PS: A friendly cold-day reminder to drink water, even when the temps are low; whether you realize it or not...you’re sweating.
November 1, 2020October 28, 2020October 25, 2020October 19, 2020The initial part of the trail is the most challenging (and fun) - may take some time but it’s a great workout and beautiful views of Glendale. The second part is easy. Started the hike around 7:40a with not a lot of hikers - parking was easy at that hour but looked bad when we finished.
October 17, 2020Fun trail and a great workout! The starting point on AllTrails takes you on a water runoff, so I suggest starting on the trail behind the library. Make sure to bring plenty of water and try to start early to avoid the heat!
October 11, 2020I would say moderate not difficult. It is pretty steep the first 2 miles. I also took the counterclockwise way for more booty workout. Some shade so better to come during a cooler day. bring water.
October 4, 2020Definitely a beast. The views are spectacular and you’re getting a ton of elevation and cardio in a relatively short hike, but know what you’re getting into. If you approach counterclockwise on the firebreak from the Brand to Mt Thom, you’ll be covering about 700 feet of elevation per mile, which is very steep, there’s no shade, and the footing is dusty and loose. Not for casual hikers or people with iffy joints headed up or down. There’s also a large rattlesnake that likes to hang out up in the saddle by Mt Thom and the Flores Motorway. It’s their mountain, so be nice.
September 22, 2020So much better at night when the giant ball of fire in the sky isn’t trying to kill you.
September 11, 2020Very steep, great workout for those who love intense hikes. The views really nice.
August 14, 2020Going down is really steep fell a couple time but didn’t get hurt.. is hard stay safe ..
August 4, 2020Counter-clockwise hike with my husband & our 3 boys ages 16 yo, 10 yo & 9 yo. We started the 6+ miles hike from Brand Park Library on to Firebreak to Mount Thom to Tongva Peak on to Verdugo Mtwy on to Brand Park Mtwy down to Brand Park Dr pass by the Japanese Tea House & back to where we parked. One of the toughest hikes and best view of the San Fernando Valley Best to start early in the morning because no shade TAKE PLENTY OF WATER & wear COMFORTABLE SHOES. Lots of beast mode 70 degree incline (A great idea to take hiking sticks.) Other than that, AWESOME WORKOUT!
July 24, 2020July 24, 2020July 23, 2020that was a work out!
July 22, 2020In my opinion....this is the absolute best trail for training in LA. It’s tough as nails and short enough to knock out in a couple hours. It ain’t pretty at all. This trail is great for focusing on getting stronger and cardio improvement. The elevation gain comes at you quickly and very steep. Lots of 70 degree incline to burn your legs up. No shade and bring lots of water! Very rewarding loop to complete because it is a beast!
July 21, 2020Counter-clockwise. Don’t care for hiking roads so on way down from verdugo crest I bypassed brand motorway and took the trail just west of it instead. Harder/steeper than the descent behind the tower at Tongva peak (and of course the motorway). Would not recommend this route unless you are experienced w technical descents. First quarter mile down extremely steep, didn’t use poles but lots of hands. Bugs, some bushwhacking toward the end.
