L.A. Walks: The merry-go-round and the ruins of the original zoo link up on this brisk stroll.

The merry-go-round is a landmark at the south end of the park, part of the childhoods of generations of Angelenos.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

After exiting the driveway from the parking lot closest to the merry-go-round, turn right and walk past the white posts toward the hillside and catch the trail on the left into a narrow canyon. Here, a runner jogs past the entrance to the trail.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Kristine Morales and Stephanie Lopez, two 24-year-old Angelenos, hike down the dirt trail that is part of the first leg of the L.A. Walks hike.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The first part of the walk winds through wooded sections of the park.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A creeping strawberry plant is protected inside a wire cage along the trail.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Step 2: At the canyon’s end, past the sign for Fern Canyon Trail Amphitheater, climb a flight of stairs to a wide dirt road.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A jogger runs along the trail that hugs the hillside on this second section of the hike.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Step 3: Woodrow Wilson Municipal Golf Course is visible from the path.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Step 4: Eucalyptus trees shade a narrow trail on the right.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

A dry creek bed runs along a narrow trail on the right.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Step 5: Park visitors take pictures in front of structures from the old park zoo at the Crystal Springs Picnic Area.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Picnic tables are available in front of old zoo structures.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Shadows and light paint the wall inside one of the old zoo enclosures.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Animal cages still remain from the old zoo at Crystal Springs Picnic Area.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The rusted old cages show how much the old zoo differed from today’s Los Angeles Zoo, now on the north side of Griffith Park.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Step 6: A park visitor walks in dappled light behind the animal enclosures, near the end of the hike, which is back at the merry-go-round parking lot.   (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)