In Episode 2.009, Donna Hayward and James Hurley have an intense conversation at what the former InTwinPeaks.com site dubbed a “Wooded Road.” You can find the film location in Franklin Canyon Park, which is a popular spot for many Twin Peaks locations from Season 2. I explored this spot on May 26, 2019 with fellow location hunter Ivan Bukta.
WHERE IS LEAVING DONNA ON THE WOODED ROAD LOCATED?
This scene takes place in two spots next to Heavenly Pond on Franklin Canyon Drive in Franklin Canyon Park outside of Beverly Hills, California.
The approximate coordinates are 34°07’13.3″N 118°24’40.5″W and the Bench here.
The script, however,  called for the action to take place at the Gazebo following a rain storm.
17. EXT. GAZEBO – DAY
James rides up on his bike, hops off as Donna runs to him, hugs him, quietly hysterical. Evidence recent rain all about them.
It’s difficult to say why the location was changed. The opening scene to this episode – “After Maddy Walk” – was also shot in Franklin Canyon Park. There is another scene at Mrs. Tremond’s house which is located just down the street from the Gazebo location. Without the script notes or shooting details, we may never know (another “Life is full of mysteries, Donna” moment).
DONNA WALKING ON THE WOODED ROAD
The scene opens just after Donna saw Sheriff Truman ask for Leland Palmer’s help at the Palmer house. She is visibly upset and says Maddy’s name. The script doesn’t include this particular scene.
In the script, there is an omitted scene that takes place at the Hayward house where Donna confronts Doctor Hayward about Maddy’s death. It takes place after Donna leaves the Palmer House, and could explain why Donna was extremely upset. Dr. Hayward basically confirms Maddy was killed like Laura Palmer was.
The exchange between Donna and James highlighted in this article is placed after revelations at The Roadhouse.
The scene cuts to a close-up of Donna crying and walking along the road. All of this action takes place in the top red circle on the Google Maps image above.
DONNA SITTING ON THE BENCH
The action is then moved to the bottom red circle on the Google Maps image. This part of the scene opens with a panning shot down to Donna Hayward sitting on a bench.
She is looking at the water as James Hurley pulls up on his motorcycle.
This is a wider view from this film location. You’ll notice the picnic bench from the episode has been replaced.
I returned to this spot on October 12, 2020. By this time, a wooden and wire fence had been added to the location. The plaque mounted on one pole names the lake as Franklin Canyon Lake.
JAMES HURLEY ARRIVES ON HIS MOTORCYCLE
James arrives on his motorcycle.
A bit of movie magic is used in this scene as Donna and James use the same road. If Donna walked in the opposite direction in the top image, she would appear as James does in the bottom image.
In fact, you can see the same tree with a birdhouse in both shot. There is a small path that leads down to Heavenly Pond located just off the side of the road.
I was thrilled to see the bird house is still found on the tree in 2019 (easy to spot in the left image of the tree comparison above).
One thing I noticed when watching this episode is there appears to be someone moving in the red circled area above. I wonder if this spot is where the production team’s base camp was located
The space looks big enough for trailers and tents, and it sort of looks like there is some white structure hidden behind the trees in the scene.
James comes to a stop and parks his motorcycle.
Donna stands to greet James.
The scene continues pretty much like the script:
What is it? What’s the matter?
DONNA
Maddy …
JAMES
What about her?
DONNA
She’s dead. It was the killer. The one who killed Laura. She’s dead.
Stunned, he moves away. His legs give way near the shore.
Donna watches him helplessly.
In the script, Donna mentions the cut scene with her father.
No … no …
DONNA
(unfocused rambling)
I heard Mr. Palmer get a call from her, from her
mother, she said she hadn’t gotten home, they came to
talk to him, Sheriff Truman and so I went home, my
father he was so upset he couldn’t keep it from me …
She starts to cry. They can’t comfort each other.
We could’ve helped her.
DONNA
How?
JAMES
I don’t know
(his anger startles them both; he suddenly sees a
gulf between them)
DONNA
What do you mean?
(devastated)
You mean us?
JAMES
We can’t do this. It’s no good.
DONNA
What did we do? What did we do?
Pause.
I’ve got to go. I’ve got to go.
He starts for his bike.
DONNA
James, don’t leave … it’s not our fault!
JAMES
It doesn’t matter. Don’t you see? Nothing we do matters. Nothing’s ever going to change. It doesn’t matter if we’re happy when the rest of the world goes to
hell –
DONNA
Don’t leave – James – don’t leave me alone!
The script continues with action not seen in the episode. It would have been interesting to see Donna stepping into the water at Easter Park near the Gazebo.
He gets on his bike and rides. Anguished, Donna turns toward the lake, weeping, stepping slowly into the water.
The scene ends with Donna sobbing. In the script, it’s the end of Act 3. In the episode, the scene cuts to The Roadhouse.
At the Twin Peaks Fan Festival in 2014, there were photographs shown from deleted scenes including Donna in the lake weeping.
How I wish I could see this footage.
INTWINPEAKS.COM VISITS DONNA ON THE WOODED ROAD
Like many other film locations from Twin Peaks, credit goes to Charles and Travis from InTwinPeaks.com.
While researching this article, I found several images from the now defunct site including this one of Charles’ famous location book which Travis is holding.
Long before everything could be easily found using Google, Charles compiled printed screen caps from episodes into a book. In turn, this book was used to locate many of the spots we know today. I’ve seen additional pages from this location book and my admiration for the efforts of those early location hunters soared through the roof. Enjoy a few images from InTwinPeaks (circa late 2000s) along with a tribute page from the website’s original posting.
