Mt. Thom and Tongva Peak

Mount Thom and Tongva Peak are accessed by using the 6.2 mile out and back trail, Las Flores Motorway located in the north part of Glendale, CA. Roadside parking is not allowed near the trailhead, you will need to park in the nearby residential area along Sunshine Drive about 0.15 miles away from the starting mark. Now that you have legally parked, begin walking up Sunshine Drive to the start of Las Flores Motorway, cross the yellow gate and continue up the paved trail. As you march along the path you will see a communications tower come into view, this is the summit of Mount Thom.

1 mile into your journey you will approach a viewpoint on your left. This is a good opportunity to take a water break and enjoy views of Glendale just below you and the Downtown LA skyline visible father south. From here continue hiking 1.5 miles as Las Flores Motorway wraps around the southern face of Mt Thom. Just 0.2 miles from the summit you will pass a rough looking trail on your left that descends into Brand Canyon, this is the Brand Library Loop trail. At 2.5 miles Las Flores Motorway ends at a T-junction with Beaudry Motorway. Behind you is a dirt path leading to a fenced-in communication tower, this is the summit of Mount Thom.

For those who would like to continue on to Tongva Peak, turn around and walk back to the T-junction and begin walking north along Beaudry Motorway. Tongva Peak is only 0.6 miles away and is easily identified by the large flattened mountaintop holding the K-ROQ radio towers. As you approach Tongva Peak you will notice that the path becomes temporally paved, look for a small dirt path above you that to a landing on the southern part of the summit. This spot is home to a geographical summit marker and memorial bench. Take a seat, pullout your lunch and enjoy arguably one of the finest views in Los Angeles.

This does not have to be the end of your adventure. For those who think they can muster it you have the option of continuing north along Beaudry Motorway to Vergugo Peak (highest part of Verdugo Mountains), visit the Old Youth Camp, or even hike to theNorth Ridge of Verdugo.