Hike #1594
Silverlake Stairs
November 6, 2024

Hike Leader: Randy King

Meet at 9:00 am for start at 9:30 am. Note later start time.
Rabbits, if hiking, will start at an ealier time to be determined.

Please print your own hike descriptions and maps.

Distance: 4 miles RT
Elevation Gain: 800 ft.
Comfortable street shoes are recommended.  Probably no need for treking poles.

Summary:  Silver Lake is an Eastside neighborhood that fully embraces the hipster lifestyle. Funky blocks with street art are lined with artisanal coffee shops, vegan cafes, and creative Asian eateries, as well as indie music venues, trendy bars, and boutiques. The area also includes fine examples of modernist architecture and a namesake reservoir that’s ringed by a popular walking trail with a dog park and a grassy meadow. We will traverse 11 separate stairways (2 stairs twice) containing a total of 1,408 stairs -- some of them going up, some going down. Eight of these stairways have paintings either on the stairs themselves or else on their retaining walls. We start and end at the "Music Box Steps" made famous by the Laurel and Hardy movie depicting them trying to deliver a piano up the stairs. 

There are no facilities, so you may wish to stop at the McDonald's at 1417 Glendale Blvd.

Directions to Trailhead:  We meet at Laurel & Hardy Park, near the bottom of the Music Box Steps located at 923 Vendome Street. Exit the Hollywood (101) and take exit 5A for Rampart Blvd.  Continue on N Rampart Blvd. Take W Sunset Blvd to N Vendome St. You will reach Laurel & Hardy park - a small triangular grassy area appearing on your left. Park on any of the surrounding streets being mindful of their one-way directions. The Music Box Steps are on the west side of the park. There is an identifying sign on a post at the foot of the stairs, and a plaque on one of the steps.

Suggestion:  Google "Painted stairways of LA" for a complete orientation of these art projects and various stairway tours. We will traverse 6 of these painted stairs (look for a Painted notation in the table below).

The Hike:  The hike can only be described in tabular form. See Silverlake Instructions Rev 2.  Each stairway is numbered (i.e., S1, S2...).  The direction (up or down) is given next. The number of stairs and a cumulative number of stairs is next. The presence or absence of a handrail is given next. The final column gives directions to follow after traversing the stairs.

End of hike gathering for those who survive will be at the Laurel & Hardy Park.  Please bring chairs.

Silverlake Instructions Rev 2 - Must print and take on the walk, otherwise you are guaranteed to get lost!!!

Silverlake Map
Silverlake Map Rev 1

Google Earth Photo - Silverlake Stairs

Updated:  2024-11-07