Whiting Woods Motorway Trail is a 5.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near La Crescenta, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Starting at the end of Whiting Woods Road, passing through the locked gate you quickly start climbing, 2.604 miles to go. It is fairly steep consequently there are fewer mountain bikes common at other hikes in the Verdugos. The road starts out steep, get used to it, this is going to be the tempo for most of this hike, though the lower mile is generally less steep than higher up. There are many cross country cutoffs, which cuts off long switchbacks, shortening the return trip or steepening the uphill. Arriving at Verdugo Motorway there are many options, continuing straight will take you to an electronic site with views of the San Fernando Valley, & Los Angeles Basin. A short way to the right is a bench if you're inclined to rest and take in the view, or just turn around and go back the way you came.
This gets hot in warmer weather, & there is little to no shade. As the the sun get higher later in the year for me, it becomes unbearable. There is no parking at the trailhead from 10pm to 5am, and a new sign posted says no entry from 10pm-4:30am There are mountain lions here keep your pets on a leash, learn how to deal with wildlife encounters.
March 4, 2021February 24, 2021
February 21, 2021Great workout. Very consistently steep with nice views of the foothills the whole way up. Hardly any people on a Saturday morning, and very easy street parking. More mountain bikers than hikers. There are no services at the trailhead (no water/restroom); plan accordingly.
February 20, 2021Straightforward trail and easy to follow. I think those mountain lion signs mentioned by the previous rater are fake. They looked like some random signs a person made as a joke. They don't look like official government warnings or notices.
February 18, 2021**MOUNTAIN LION sightings** usually do this trail at dusk pretty regularly. Tonight we saw signs on the gate that there has been a mountain lion sighting recently. The sign looked like it was made by a person rather than a government agency, I took it as the making of a Good Samaritan. I myself did see a bobcat at the top of the crest approx 3 weeks ago so perhaps someone saw a bobcat and confused it. with a Mountain Lion. Nonetheless, there have been Mountain Lions in these hills over the years (Nikita, Adonis) so I prefer to take the precaution and not make any assumptions. It doesn’t deter me from my hiking activities but I do it with caution. This sign wasn’t there last week so it must’ve happened in the last 7 days.
February 13, 2021February 7, 2021Whiting Woods is steep. Skyline Trail going down to Brand Park is a hike-a-bike trail. There are very loose & steep sections that you really have to carry or walk your gravel bike.
January 31, 2021Trail is more of a moderate/hard. Unrelenting uphill grade the majority of the way with few scenic rewards. There are many better motorways in the immediate area.
January 31, 2021Perfect for a Sunday morning. Not a lot of people and most of them wearing masks. Less bikers than other Verdugo trails.
January 30, 2021Great hike that is low tech and extremely safe on an unpaved road. Lots of people, with the vast majority wearing masks. Be aware and respectful of bikes. Great views on a clear day.
January 24, 2021January 22, 2021Didn’t finish, we saw a bobcat tonight. Careful out there!
January 22, 2021January 17, 2021January 16, 2021Not sure why All Trails rates WW as moderate, yet rates Las Flores on the south face as hard. Whiting is steeper, longer, with more total elevation gain. I switch off between those 2 and Beaudry on conditioning days. For whatever reason, I find Whiting to be the most challenging. Head right at the top, transition to the Verdugo Motorway for about a half mile to reach Verdugo Peak...nice views of the Valley and beyond.
January 15, 2021Very exposed and steady incline for the first part of the trail. Good workout hike, will be prettier when the wildflowers come back in bloom
January 15, 2021I dig this trail and will continue doing it. Steady incline throughout the entire trail. If you’re planning an afternoon hike, know there is not a lot of shade. Parking was easy but definitely be courtesy to the folks that live in the neighborhood. The trail head is in residential.
January 10, 2021January 8, 2021Busy. Exposed. Steep in platform a fire road.
January 3, 2021December 30, 2020Love this hike. Views in every direction and gorgeous sunset light on the way down.
December 26, 2020December 21, 2020December 20, 2020December 19, 2020December 19, 2020December 18, 2020December 15, 2020Stretches of uphill made it a nice challenging hike
December 13, 2020December 11, 2020Nice trail, not bone breakingly steep but still a challenge
