Veterans Memorial Park

This park is commonly known for its hiking trails and shade areas around the park. I have a couple of complains though! I understand people love their dogs but if ur gonna bring them plz have common courtesy and clean up after their poop! I find myself dodging it throughout my hike and although it might be a good workout it is unsanitary if I miss lol. Some paper bags and wipes wouldn’t be a lot to carry in a pack. Also it might be safer to bring them in a leash especially u pit bull people and the ankle biters chihuahuas. Other than that the hike is cool and I’ll still come regardless.
Oh one last thing! People that take selfies and/​or videos every 10 steps.

F***king horrible hike. The people here are disgusting. No one walks their dog in a leash, their dogs are poorly trained in the sense that they will just run up to you and your dogs (who are on leashes) and bark or growl. One idiot walked their dog with a muzzle, this is a f***king hike your dog needs to pant! There are dogs with no owners running around. This is disgusting never will I go hiking in the f***king ghetto again. I feel sorry for these dogs.

I been coming here for a few months now and this trail is awesome. Big park there as well. But the hikes can be killer. They’re really fun, though. Not your usual hike where your just walking and you go up little hills. These are some steep hills and your legs and ass will definitely feel the burn. Once you get to a certain point you can take the fire trail down. Or continue ascending to more trails. Also great place for cyclist or riding your bike up the fire trail. I see people look like they are dying going up.
You can get used to it, though. I use to take 40 minutes to get to the first stop of the fire trail.
Now I pretty much run it. Still hurts like a bitch, but my stamina has increased and been burning fat like crazy. I’m too good now that the homies don’t even want to come with me lol. I be feeling like Rocky Balboa going up the trail with my music lol. If y’all see some sexy dude at the top jumping up and down or dancing it’s probably me :)

My favorite hiking spot in the valley. You can actually get a good 12 mile walk (6mi uphill and 6mi downhill) —

Great place to bring your family to workout, play around or Bbq. There is so much space to run around and it’s never too packed with people.

If you live close, this hike is worth it, if not its best to find another one. Definitely not worth a long drive. Theres a parking lot where you can park for free and the trail begins ahead as soon as you pass the big gate. Theres about 3 different trails you can choose from one trail is very steep and people often slip on the gravel, so I recommend you wear sneakers with a great grip. The most popular trail is concrete and it is off to the left side with very little incline.

First time hiking here and it was pretty intense! I saw that there was three different trails. Of course I had to try the steepest trail, it took about an hour and a half. Make sure to wear appropriate footwear, The gravel was pretty loose. Otherwise great workout! I’ll definitely be going back during summer.

Big Park with several playground set ups. I like they have the 2 – 5 range player as well as the above 5 ones. Lots of BBQing, lots of kids parties. Parking isn’t the best but there is an alternate parking lot to the west of the park. I saw people hiking and playing Frisbee golf so overall a well rounded Park with lots of activities for everyone.
Park was pretty clean all things considered and the trashcan weren’t overflowing like say Hanson Dam.

The concrete trail is about 2 miles. When you do hit one of the dirt trails there are young men smoking marijuana, near the water tower. When I went to check the excessively steep trail on the left, I was discouraged to even start it. I ended up leaving and hit Cariso Park for their flatter ground trails.

This is a really good hike if you’re looking to unwind, work-​out, or simply chill and talk with friends. It’s not too challenging but there are some tougher ‘off route’ trials which I’m sure will push you if you choose to take them.
Be sure to stick it out and walk to the top because you really get some great views of the surrounding area. The trial goes on for a while too, I didn’t get the chance to explore the whole thing, so I’ll definitely be coming back for more.

Great hike! They have a trail with concrete and just dirt. The dirt trail is really intense, but the concrete trail is still a good workout… just not as intense. They have parking. The park is really clean and the view at the end is beautiful. One of my favorite go to hiking trails in the valley. I highly recommend this spot if you’re looking for a good work out that’ll have you sweating ;)

Beautiful place. I loved it. A nice place to take the kids.

Great for someone who likes to work out and challenge themselves by running on an incline trial. I workout about 5 days out of the week and its a change of pace from running on flat surface to climbing the dirt portion of the trial.
I definitely suggest trying out the dirt trail instead of the concrete trail. It is a challenge and a good workout. Word of advice if you start you must finish because its a lot harder to come back down once your halfway up the hill.
I went on a Monday morning around 9am and it wasnt to crowded but i hear during the summertime it can be hectic.

Ths hiking trail is for you if you like to Challenge yourself. Good inclines on mountain trail and fire road so you cant go wrong with either. Nothing compares to making it to the top and being able to see our neighboring city Santa Clarita over the mountain not only that but the beautiful view of our SF Valley. Love this trail because i dont have to drive far to get there and the sense of accomplishment once you make it to the top feels Great! Cant forget about all the Beautiful and Nice people that go. Oh make sure you drink plenty of H2O (:

PARK
I’m already liking this park it seems really big and lots of green. Lots of trees. A lot of things to do. Friendly people, I appreciated the police visibility makes me feels safe.
HIKE
Today was the very first time we hike this trail (hubby and myself). Parked at 704 we started our trek on the pavement and saw a lot of people on their way down. The sun is out and we both dosed ourselves with plenty of sunscreen as I saw that there will be less shade depending on what time you start. We were walking uphill on a steady pace and we got a good shade from the mountain itself not trees. We notice painted mile markers which is very confusing. I tried researching how high is this to the top but can’t get a clear answer. We made to the top at the fork in about 1:30 minutes. My husband ran all the way down, I did ran halfway down. Distance on this trail is longer than our Beaudry Loop hike in Glendale in Verdugo mountains. I’m giving it 3 stars as the incline isn’t really steep as Beaudry south.
Questions for the seasoned hikers on this trail what’s the elevation of this mountain?
How long (miles) is it from veterans park to the fork (pic below)?

When entering the park we turned left and park at the second parking lot. We went around 4pm and it was surprisingly not so busy yet! When we walk up we saw 3 different trails and because my cousin has been here before she picked one of the harder trials. I like this one because it had steep hills but then would level out. There were three big sections of steep hills on this trail with a flat surface in between them. When you get to the top you have an option to go the way you came (way to steep for me to go down) and the paved way which is a nice break after going up. This hike lasted us about an hour. We went at a good time because when we got to our car the parking lot was crazy busy.

Love coming here because it’s the most convenient and close hike to me ! I like going around 4 pm because theirs more people there during that time because it’s scary going when it’s lonely ! I usually do the dirt trail and keep going
I’ve never been to the top but I will soon ! Def a challenging hike if u do it through the dirt trail !

This park is much more relaxing and pleasant than the nearby El Cariso which is mostly birthday BBQ’s and sports activities. Veterans still has activities like Frisbee golf, but there is plenty of open green space along with a trailhead.
It seems the most popular way to the top of Mt. Pinetos starts at Whitney Canyon Park in Newhall and proceeds five miles along the Santa Clara Truck Route. Another way to the top of the mountain is from Veterans Memorial Park on a trail, not a truck route. At two miles, the distance is shorter but the 2000 foot elevation gain is about the same. The Whitney Canyon way is called «The Beast». But to do the same elevation under half the distance, well, we know which path is truly beastly.
To find the trailhead, enter the park and turn left. Park in the last available lot. Walk up the hillside and exit the park to a mountain service road at the rattlesnake warning sign. Walk up the road and the unmarked dirt trail begins on the left with a very steep grade. The shadeless hike is generally hot in the summer and windy in the winter. Windy days offer the best views because it blows the smog out of the Valley.
Distance from the parking lot to various points of interest:
0.7 miles to the intersection of the trail with the truck road where most people stop or continue along the safer and less strenuous service road.
1.3 miles to where the Pacific Ocean is visible on a clear day (see pic). If continuing, the next 0.8 miles include steep hiking. Although most people do it without crawling, I’ve seen people struggle so much they used their hands.
2.1 miles to the rock pile at Mt. Pinetos. Another popular stopping point where the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley can be seen from the same position.
3.1 miles southeast to a helicopter landing area and what might be telescopes. If going further, skip the telescopes because they are easier to reach using the paved road on the way back. To resume the hike, continue straight and follow the dirt trail down from this peak.
3.4 miles to LA County Fire’s Camp 9 along the Santa Clara Truck Trail. The facility has a helipad where it’s common to see helicopter landings.
4.2 miles to Nike Missile Site LA-​94 which is not accessible. A barbed wire fence surrounds the installation.
4.7 miles to Contract Point. Identifiable due to many small communication antennas. Look to the east to find a view of Pacoima Dam (see pic).

This is my go to place after work in the summer. There are two trails on dirt which are of high incline. There are killers and will kick your butt. Beware though, if you start going up you must finish because it is extremely difficult to go back down.
For beginners they have the concrete trail that one will also leave you out of breath but it is more do able. You can also run it up if its too easy.

Veterans park has a lot to offer to the locals in the area. It’s a decent sized park that has many different attractions such as Frisbee golf, playgrounds, running paths, hiking trails, picnic areas, and benches. It pretty much has everything you would expect a modern park to have. However, since there is another local park that has similar assets this one seems to get overlooked which draws a smaller crowd. Therefore, when visiting Veterans Memorial Park you’ll notice how open and calm it seems because there isn’t an overbearing amount of locals swarming around you.
Hiking
There are several trails, 2 of which are paved and probably 2 or 3 others that have been made throughout the years by hikers. You are allowed to bring your dogs as long as you clean up after them. There isn’t much shade so if you go make sure to avoid a hot day. The trails are strictly incline and vary depending on which one you decide to take, can you say «.. . buns of steel.» On the other hand there are some downsides of having such convenient and local trails. The trails were a bit rundown in my opinion; I saw a ton of graffiti, broken bottles, and dog shit that owners neglected to pick up.
Overall
I definitely recommend this park to locals. The trails allow you to get in a fun and creative workout without traveling far.