RUGGED VERDUGOS

The Verdugo Mountains separating the communities of Montrose and La Crescenta from Glendale and Burbank rise sharply and present impressive city and valley views. Here’s a brisk hike that will get you to the top in a hurry — huffing and puffing. Go early in the day to beat the heat. Take lots of water. Go clockwise on this loop trail for the fast, steep route; go counterclockwise for a shadier, more gradual approach. Either way, be mindful that you share the mountain with rattlesnakes and, according to posted signs, mountain lions.

1Begin this walk on Beaudry Boulevard, just off Country Club Drive near the entrance to the Oakmont Country Club. Leave Beaudry on a narrow, paved alley that approaches a wide yellow gate and becomes a dirt road.

2Stroll under oak, sycamore and pine trees as the trail begins to rise slightly. At the intersection of Beaudry South and Beaudry North Motorways, go left for the steep route or right for the gentler climb.

3Follow the main trail, climbing until Beaudry Motorway meets

Verdugo Motorway, which connects to trails leading to La Tuna Canyon, Glendale or Burbank. If you’re climbing the North route, turn left and walk downhill. If you’re on the South loop, bear right.

4The scenery as you climb includes wide vistas of Montrose, La Crescenta and La Cañada Flintridge behind you and, increasingly, massive views of Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena and downtown Los Angeles ahead of you. The city view can be murky on a June gloom day but is particularly good on clear ones.

5At the top, you’ll find a plaque for Tongva Peak, which at 2,656 feet will tell you that you’ve climbed more than 1,300 feet from the 1,300foot elevation at the starting point. No wonder you’re tired! Enjoy the big views.

Heading down, take the North loop to enjoy the shade and the gentle descent, or take the South loop to feel the burn in your calves and quads. When you get back to the trail intersection, continue

downhill to your starting point.

Fleming is the author of “Secret Stairs: A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of Los Angeles” and “Secret Walks: A Walking Guide to the Hidden Trails of Los Angeles.” Each month, he leads a free walk at one of his favorite spots in Southern California. Find out more at his Facebook page, Secret Stairs. He can also be reached at charles.fleming@latimes.com. Twitter:@misterfleming

Photographs by Glenn Koenig Los Angeles Times BICYCLISTS test the steep grade on the Beaudry North Motorway trail in Glendale, where the occasional rattlesnake and even mountain lion could share the turf.

A WALKWAY leads up through oak, sycamore and pine in the Verdugo Mountains separating Montrose and La Crescenta from Glendale and Burbank . See more photos at latimes.com/lawalks.

Lou Spirito Los Angeles Times