Vineyard Views

Vineyard Hike in Deukmejian Wilderness

06.19.2015

Long before Napa and Sonoma took the cork, the Los Angeles region was the center of California wine production. In the early 1900s the Le Mesnager family built a romantic French-style stone barn and cultivated personal vineyards at the base of what is now Deukmejian Park. Meander through their former backyard on this easy 1-mile loop. Head past the barn on the main Dunsmore Canyon Trail and follow Vineyard Trail across a dry riverbed, under an oak tree, and back up the east side of the canyon. As you gradually gain elevation through the fragrant chaparral, keep your eyes peeled for flowering “Our Lord’s Candle” yucca, whose stunning white or pink blooms can reach up to 10 feet high. You'll pass the abandoned remains of a swing set—quite a picturesque play space for kids who grew up here! Embraced by the soft foliage of yerba santa on both sides of the trail, imagine what this land looked like with neat rows of grape vines; today, lush with shades of green, white, pink, and purple it's a prime example of the beauty of native landscaping. At the next trail junction, turn left to head back down into the riverbed and over one of the canyon's flood-control dams until meeting again with Dunsmore Trail, which returns you to the stone barn. Peek around the side where a thriving demonstration vineyard grows, a reminder of this land's recent history. Wasn't that a grape walk?

BONUS: Time your trip for a post-hike stop at nearby Rosso Wine Shop's wine bar, featuring varietals each Friday and Saturday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It’s just $10 to taste three wines!

Deukmejian Wilderness Park is at 3429 Markridge Rd. in Glendale. Take the 210 Freeway to the Pennsylvania Ave. exit. Follow Pennsylvania north to Foothill; head west on Foothill, then right onto New York Ave. Take New York all the way to the top of the hill until you can't go straight anymore, then left onto Markridge. The park entrance is on your right. Dog friendly! Note: Bring plenty of water for yourself and your pet, and be careful of rattlesnakes sometimes seen here.

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