Brand Park
1601 W. Mountain Street
Glendale, CA
Located in the Verdugo Mountains in the City of Glendale, Brand Park provides picnic areas, and hiking, as well as a window into local history. Leslie C. Brand, often referred to as the “father of Glendale,” purchased 1,000 acres in the Verdugo Mountains at the turn of the twentieth century. Brand built the 5,000-square foot mansion named El Mirador at the base of the mountains. Brand’s property and elegant home were deeded to the city of Glendale after his wife’s death in 1945 to become Brand Park. El Mirador is now Brand Library. The park also contains a historic home in the Queen Anne style known as the “Doctors House,” that was moved to the site in 1979. Brand Trail is a fire road that offers a moderately steep ascent from El Mirador to the ridge of the Verdugos. The trail connects to a network of trails that criss-cross the range. This hike is approximately 5 miles long, up and back, with a gain of a little over 2,000 feet.
Directions: About 30 minutes from our area. Take Cahuenga Blvd and turn right on Barham Blvd and then right on Forest Lawn Drive. Take the CA-134 E ramp to Pasadena. Take the exit toward Victory Blvd/ I-5 N. Turn left on Riverside, right on Sonora, right onto Bel Air Drive, left onto Grandview Ave, and a slight left onto W Mountain Street. The hike begins in the parking lot at Brand Park to the left of the library.