Mount Lee

Mount Lee is a summit in Griffith Park with a flattened peak about 1,708 feet high, located within the Santa Monica Mountains. Several hiking trails wind through the park to reach the top, where communication towers and equipment occupy the peak area.

The peak was named after Don Lee, a radio and television pioneer who built the W6XAO transmitter station in the late 1920s. This early broadcasting equipment made the summit a key location for wireless communication development in Southern California.

The Hollywood Sign stands on the southern slope and serves as the face of Los Angeles's film industry, visible from many vantage points across the city. The peak itself is deeply tied to how people in the area think about entertainment and the movies that have defined the region.

The park has multiple entry points and parking areas, with trail maps available at the visitor center to help plan your route. The hike is popular, so starting early is helpful, and prepare for heat, especially during warmer months.

The flattened summit came from an abandoned plan by silent film pioneer Mack Sennett to build a residence on the peak. Although the project was never completed, the leveled surface has visually marked the mountain for generations.