The Green Commute

Feliz Año Nuevo Yurt Villagers! We thought it wise to start 2008 by outlining eco-friendly alternatives to the traditional drive up Mulholland. We've racked our collective brains and shaken out a few ideas to share. Below you will find the details that will enable you to hike, bike, and ride your way to 12601 Mulholland Drive knowing that you've taken the path less traveled...and the one that TreePeople encourages Angelinos to choose in their own lives each day. We hope that you enjoy our research, suggestions, and ideas. As always, please email or post additional info that you may want to share (mpalmer@treepeople.org).

Hiking Trails

Berman Trail from Franklin Canyon Park Parking Lot: from north end of the main parking lot at Franklin Canyon Park, follow trail northbound (roughly parallels Franklin Canyon Dr) to Mulholland Dr. Walk toward VIP parking lot and cross street at intersection of Mulholland and Coldwater Cny. Do not attempt to cross Mulholland where the trail meets the street. There is a blind turn along Mulholland and cars cannot see far ahead. Trail description from www.lamountains.com: Berman Trail: 1 mile to Mulholland Drive, moderate to strenuous—Allows you to hike across the Santa Monica Mountains from Franklin Canyon to Coldwater Canyon Park and Wilacre Park.

Betty Dearing Trail from Laurel Canyon/Ventura via Fryman Rd: from Laurel Canyon Blvd/Ventura Blvd bus stop walk south on Laurel Cny to Fryman Rd (0.7 mi). From Wilacre Park parking lot at intersection of Laurel Cny and Fryman Rd, walk west toward the park, through the park gate and up Betty Dearing Trail approximately 1.5 mi to the yurt village.

*Alternative option: park at Wilacre Park parking lot at Fryman Rd near Laurel Cny Bl. Daily parking is $1, which TreePeople will reimburse while the TreePeople parking lot is closed.

*Alternative option: biking this route (a portion of the trail is paved, yet steep)

Betty Dearing Trail from Laurel Canyon/Ventura via Iredell Ln: from Laurel Canyon Blvd/Ventura Blvd bus stop walk south on Laurel Cny, to Fryman Rd (south), to Iredell St west (or right) and to Iredell Ln southwest (left) (approximately 1.2 mi). From the cul-de-sac at Iredell Ln, hike Betty Dearing Trail to yurt village (approx 3/4 mi) *Alternative option: park at Wilacre Park parking lot at Fryman Rd near Laurel Cny Bl. Daily parking is $1, which TreePeople will reimburse while the TreePeople parking lot is closed.

*Note: parking is not available at Iredell Ln and is restricted on surrounding street

Betty Dearing Trail via Vantage Ave/Viewcrest Rd/Shady Oak Rd: from the intersection of Vantage Ave and Ventura Blvd (one block west of Laurel Canyon Blvd) head south on Vantage to Viewcrest Rd (0.3 mi). Head west (right) for one block, turn south (left) to Laurel Terrace Dr, and then head west (right) again on Viewcrest (0.4 mi). Head south (left) on Shady Oak Rd. About 200 feet along Shady Oak, look for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy sign on the left. Follow the trail to the junction with the Betty Dearing Trail. Turn right on the Betty Dearing Trail and follow to TreePeople.

*Note: parking is not available on Shady Oak Rd., but may be available on nearby streets.

*Note: This trail should be avoided during or just following a heavy storm.

Betty Dearing Trail via Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook: from the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook (west of Laurel Pass Ave, at approximately 8401 Mulholland Drive) follow the Betty Dearing Trail east about 100 feet, and at the junction take the trail on the left to start heading west. Follow Betty Dearing Trail toward Iredell Lane, to the cul-de-sac and back on the Betty Dearing Trail toward TreePeople. Approximately 2.5 miles one-way.

*Note: parking is available at the overlook.

Bus

Metro operates numerous bus lines in the southern edge of the San Fernando Valley. Many of these lines provide access to hikers and cyclists headed to TreePeople and other locations in Coldwater Canyon, Franklin Canyon, Wilacre and Fryman Canyon Parks.

The fare is $1.25 for a single bus ride. Transfers are no longer available; however, a day pass offering unlimited rides on Metro’s bus and rail lines is available for $5. Most buses are equipped with 2 bike racks, although these are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bicycles are allowed on Metro Rail with some restrictions during peak hours.

See http://www.metro.net/default.asp for bus routes and timetables.

The bus lines nearest to TreePeople include:

1. 150 Rapid – runs along Ventura Bl with frequent stops
2. 240 Rapid – in the vicinity of Coldwater and Laurel Canyons, line 240 offers the same stops as line 150
3. 218 Rapid – runs along Laurel Canyon Bl approximately every 20 to 30 minutes; stops at Laurel Cny Bl and Mulholland Dr
4. 750 Rapid – stops at major intersections including Ventura Bl/Coldwater Cny Ave and Ventura Bl/Laurel Cny Bl.

Biking

A commute in the life of a TreePerson

I live in Koreatown. I commute to TreePeople by taking the subway, bus and my bike. It takes me a total of one hour to get to work. First I ride from Western and Olympic to the Wilshire and Western Purple Line. I transfer to the north bound Red Line at Wilshire and Vermont and get off at the Universal City train station. There I can take the 750 Rapid Bus but since the Day Pass went up from $3 to $5, I just buy a one way ticket.

Most times I skip the bus and ride my bike west on Ventura Blvd. I make a left at Laurel Canyon Blvd, a right on Fryman Canyon Rd, another right on Iredell Rd. and stay left at the fork.

This is where it gets very hard. It is very steep and sometimes I end up zig-zaging all the way up. When the road ends, a fire lane starts, and I take that all the way to the park. I like to get to the park this way because I get to read on the subway and have my coffee while on the go. There is very little to no traffic up from Fryman; it is very relaxing.

Going home is the best part. I have my pick of three ways:

1) North down Coldwater Canyon Blvd; it's like a roller coaster. Then Ventura Blvd east to the subway.
2) East on Mulholland Dr. to Laurel Canyon Blvd to Fairfax Avenue is the fastest.
3) South down Franklin Canyon Drive to Santa Monica Blvd using the bike lane is the safest.

You can get more information at www.bikemetro.com.