Debs Park Hike

​In my opinion, hiking has the ability to both make you happy and healthier. Not only does the physical exercise lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other physical ailments, it’s also been proven to help reduce stress, decrease anxiety, and help alleviate depressed moods. Outdoor exercise enables you to disconnect from our digital world, gives you a healthy dose of vitamin D from the sun (but don’t forget to wear sunscreen, pretty please!), and many think of being outside and connecting with nature as a spiritual and enlightening experience. As someone who works 40 hours/week at a desk (and blogs/works on social media almost every weekday evening and on-and-off throughout the weekend), it is imperative to my health and happiness alike that I not only exercise and move my body, but that I unplug and get outside as much as possible to enjoy the fresh air.

Since moving to Los Angeles over a year ago now (crazy how time flies!), I’ve been on the lookout for new and unique hikes and outdoor adventures. I’ve hiked some of the more popular spots – Runyon, Griffith Park, and Hollywood Sign - and have also discovered some hidden gems, including the Jim Morrison Cave, Baldwin Hills Park/Scenic Overlook, and now Deb’s Park in the beautiful Northeast LA neighborhood of Highland Park. Deb’s Park, short for Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, is a 300 acre state park northeast of Downtown L.A., named after former County Supervisor Ernest E. Debs. I condensed my thoughts on this hike into various categories below; enjoy and let me know if you have any additional questions! 

Highlights

• Overall, the views were incredible! If it’s a clear day out you will be able to see Northeast L.A. (Highland Park, Eagle Rock, etc.), Pasadena, the San Gabriel Mountains, and all the way in the opposite direction to the Downtown L.A. skyline. I loved the beautiful view of the L.A. skyline from up here – it was a unique view of L.A. that I don’t see much on the social media accounts/L.A. blogs that I follow (compared to the commonly posted views from Runyon, Griffith Observatory, etc). 
  
• In my experience, it seems much less crowded than Runyon Canyon or Griffith Park. I would consider it a “hidden gem” hike that is far lesser known than its sister-hikes in L.A. This not only makes parking easier, but it makes the trails almost empty and very quiet and tranquil.
  
• The park is children and dog-friendly. Each time I’ve hiked Deb Park I’ve noticed both families with young children and dogs of all types. Also, the people that I’ve come across in Deb’s park generally seem very kind and friendly. When I went hiking here with my friend Evelynn last weekend she pointed out, “Everyone we have come across has smiled and said hi to us!” 
  
• The trails are well maintained and very clean - I didn’t see one piece of trash on the trail. People here are doing a good job at following my dad’s age-old rule: “Take nothing but pictures;  leave nothing but foot prints.”
  
• The trail leads you to a pond/small lake at the top of Deb’s Park. Each time I go up there I ask myself, “How is this even in L.A. right now?” It feels like a stark contrast from the hustle-and-bustle of the city that some of us are all too familiar with. This is the perfect place to sit down, say hi to the ducks swimming merrily along, and relax for a few moments before making your way back down the trail. There are also plenty of pine trees and plants lining the pond, which make for pretty pictures as they reflect onto the water.

(Minor) Drawbacks

• The trail here that I have been on the past few times is relatively easy. This could be a highlight depending on how you look at it, but the hike roundtrip (to the lake at the top and back) is only about 1 hour. It’s more of a stroll than a hike, but it still makes you feel like you got some sort of exercise.
  
• It is very dusty, there is no shade on the trail, and gets pretty warm up there on a sunny afternoon. Make sure you bring plenty of water and wear a lot of sunscreen! 

Hiking Trails & Directions
To get to the entrance of Deb’s Park that I prefer in Highland Park, put this address into your GPS/maps app: 4651 Griffin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031. You can park on Griffin Ave, directly outside of the green gate and then walk up the paved path to the trailhead. Stay on the main trail as you make your way up the mountain – it will weave back and forth at a low/moderate incline. It shouldn’t be difficult to stay on the trail, but after about a half mile or so, you should see a short green staircase in the woods that leads to another trail. When you see this, stay to the main trail on the right and do not go up the staircase (as I’m not quite sure where that leads). 

There are a number of trails available to hikers in Deb’s Park. I’d recommend doing your research online (Here is a great Modern Hiker article and of course there is plenty of feedback on Yelp here) before venturing out there. Or, you can explore it at your leisure and discover your own path. 

Go and get your hike on!
I hope this information is helpful to you in either 1) inspiring you to get outside and hike more, or 2) or to visit Deb’s Park specifically and explore this beautiful Northeast L.A. hidden gem. The world - and all of the splendid, unique, and inspiring adventures in it - are yours for the taking!