The tree-shaded loop around the Lake Hollywood Reservoir reopened after seven years of closures and repair work on the road that circles the popular recreation area (map) below the Hollywood sign.
A landslide forced crews to close portions of the trail in 2005. The road to the east of the reservoir reopened in 2009, but the western side remained closed for repair work, forcing walkers, runners, cyclists and anyone else who entered the area from the East Gate off Lake Hollywood Drive or Weidlake Gates to turn around instead of completing the loop.
The route includes dramatic views of the lake and Hollywood sign from the arched Mulholland Dam -- completed in 1924 as part of William Mulholland's aqueduct system -- on the south side. Before Thursday's reopening, a chain-link fence gate blocked off the west road just past the dam because of repair work.
The landslides occurred afer 35 inches of rain saturated soil along the perimeter road. The slides damaged private and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power property, requiring $9.5 million worth of repairs on the hillside and road.
