Hikers Not Happy That Popular Runyon Canyon In Hollywood Hills Closes In A Week

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — This will be the last weekend before one of Los Angeles' most popular destinations shuts down for several months.

Hikers are disappointed that Runyon Canyon in the Hollywood Hills is about to close for a major construction project.

Alexandra Vino said she hikes the iconic trails with her chihuahua, Mona Lisa, twice a day but not for much longer. "I don't know what I'm going to do," she said.

From April 1 through the end of July, all 160 acres of Runyon Canyon will be shut down to replace a leaky, mile-long water pipe.

City officials said repairs are for public safety after more than 30 leaks were found in the century-old pipe.

While many hikers said they understand the closure, they cannot help feeling disappointed.

"It's a third of the year. And this is a big, healthy lifestyle for everybody that lives around here. So, it's going to impact everybody quite a bit," Krystal Vayda said.

Roughly 35,000 people visit Runyon each week. So, the city has posted several hiking alternatives, including nearby Fryman Canyon.

That's why Perla Diaz and her friend said they decided to visit Fryman for the first time. "We'll try this one out and see if it's worth to come here again, or we're going to go to other places," Diaz said.

But Fryman regulars said parking is a headache and worry the spillover from Runyon will make things even worse.

"I guess we'll have to time it so we're not here on weekends. You have to come here in sort of the off hours," Judy Kriger said.

City officials said crews will work around the clock at Runyon over the next four months so the park will reopen just in time for the summer hiking season.