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.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
walking
bird watching
running
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
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.
Very well kept trail (fire/maintenance road, really) with stable footing throughout. Views change constantly on the way up, leading to an epic view at the top at the antenna farm on a clear day. We saw all the way out to Catalina the day we went. It's a constant climb but not exceptionally strenuous. Could be tough on a hot day since it's exposed most of the way up.
Great workout, constant climb up to the top. Did in today, drizzly and up at the top I was in the clouds. This is definitely a LA winter hike, and with all the rain this year (2018-19), everything is green, green, green. Even a little stream bubbling down the lower third off to the south. No way to make this a loop, but with a car shuttle there are great long distance options.
we went off the Fire trail and found a little Switchback Trail that crosses a stream that we didn't even know was there very secluded and a lot of brush and growth an interesting little hike
Disappointing that there is no loop.
Pretty steep, constant climb from start. Feels more like a workout than a hike. Bring sunscreen - the trail is completely exposed. Really nice view at top amongst all the cell phone towers.
Nice!
Good views, easy access. Wide trail
oh man great workout, incline all the way. not too populated and awesome views. go in the early morning though as there's little shade.
Loved this hike! It was steadily uphill the entire time. We saw 6 people total over the course of 2 hours, and there is ample parking at the trailhead. We started our hike around 6:30 so by the time we reached the top the sun was beginning to set and the views were spectacular. I am in decent shape and I felt like I got a great workout. Once we hit the Verdugo motorway we continued straight up to the electronic tower and were able to see panoramic views. Highly recommend this hike!!
