Thanks again to a good Facebook friend who told me about a new multi-use trail. And it’s a beauty!
The trailhead is on the Midtown Terrace side of Clarendon, just past Laguna Honda Reservoir: 1
This is the south side of Clarendon, across the street from “The Woods” residences. There’s a sign with a map at the trailhead: 2
It’s also a short distance from Olympia Way and the Midtown Terrace Playground.
Does this trail have an official name? If not, how ‘bout the “Woods” Trail?
Loved it immediately. Lush, narrow, definitely magical, with beautiful old trees: 3 thru 71
It curves round, winding up to a south ridge.
Nearer the summit was chainlink fencing and some old trash just off the trail. The cans, etc. will probably eventually be cleaned up. An old dumpsite for Laguna Honda Hospital? \
No one on the trail but me (and Karl the Fog). To my left as I climbed were backs of Dellbrook Ave. homes. To my right, above, some of the many hospital buildings, old and new.
Then there wee all these amazing white daisies along the trail: 72 thru 85
Up an old stairway (25 steps) but found the gate at the top locked: 86 thru 93
These benches are just inside the hospital grounds behind one of the buildings. Still no one around but me: 94, 95
Continued up to a way out at a hospital parking lot: 96 thru 101
From here delighted to see more woods just ahead: 102 thru 108
Hidden away in the forest here are two huge graffiti-covered tanks.
Started down (west) alongside the hospital grounds to my right; to the left the Juvenile Probation Dept.: 109
Down at street level was Woodside & Idora. Continued curving downhill to the #43 bus stop that’s just across from the Forest Hill Metro Station: 110
Another treat —the colorful mural at the entrance to the hospital grounds on Laguna Honda at the bus stop. I think this has to be my favorite of all murals seen so far: 111 thru 134