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 moderate. 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.
January 22, 2021Didn’t finish, we saw a bobcat tonight. Careful out there!
January 22, 2021
January 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 14, 2020Basic fire road. Good uphill challenge
December 13, 2020December 11, 2020Nice trail, not bone breakingly steep but still a challenge
November 22, 2020November 16, 2020Great trail, got to see the ocean from the peak while the sun was setting.
October 23, 2020With a slightly fast descent and mild weather, this trail was perfectly manageable to do in 2.5h. Nice route without any difficulties. Not very scenic though.
October 18, 2020Great hike - very intense elevation gain - but not too horrible with the switchbacks. Views are awesome and plenty of rabbits and quail to keep you company along the way.
October 17, 2020October 17, 2020Saturday, 10/17/20 Started at 7 am and right off the bat, it’s a decent incline for at least 30 mins. Had to take a few breaks. Everyone else is right about shade percentage, I’d say it was 85/15 sun/shade so wear a hood or one of those dorky hats with neck coverings. Once you get up to about the 2 mile mark the switchbacks are much flatter. There are two antennas and even a bench with the US flag on it to rest on. Saw about 35 people total, most people wearing masks and saw the most mountain bikers here on this trail. One female rider was going a bit too fast which prompted me to provide this pro tip: stay inside along the rocks side of the trail, not the edge as mountain bikers will likely swing outwards toward the edges versus the rocks side. Overall I had a great hike. Saw the usual wildflowers, saw a flock of beautiful quail, a jackrabbit, lizards. Not many birds at all.
October 14, 2020Steep! No shade! But very clean and beautiful nature
October 9, 2020October 3, 2020August 31, 2020Enjoy this hike from 1pm - 4pm. The hike up was hard because of very limited shade. Climb all the way to the radio antennas and because it was overcast the view was limited but I highly recommend this trail. Very few other hikers or mountain bikers. Enjoy & be safe
August 29, 2020steep from the start
