Los Angeles Hiking Group

 
 
 

Event:
We’ll walk the Redondo Beach dock, then walk to the Hermosa Beach pier and back. An amazing 5.0 mile (total) beach walk , all paved walkways. Route is such you can turn back early if needed.

Optional after walk dinner/drinks at Captain Kidds fish market
They close at 8:00, so starting at 5:30 so we don’t get shut out.

The walk is on level pavement. Can get cold so dress appropriately. Bring tennis shoes, water, sun screen, sun protection, and a fun spirit.

Some free street parking in area, but if can’t find it park at the Marina parking lot. Validate at Captain Kids for reduced rate, even if not eating there.

Call Rick with questions[masked].

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.

 
 
 

Come join us for a challenging workout and for meeting new people to do a beautiful urban stair hike around Silver Lake Reservoir. This is a new version of one of our old favorite routes that takes us to the long Loma Vista stairs, one double set up and Silver Lake Peak via unique neighborhoods and hidden staircases.

LEVEL: Intermediate Plus for speed and length. The elevation gain is just over the Extra Plus threshold for s stair hike. We are a friendly group that loves to socialize and encourage newcomers to join, but please note that moderate + cardio fitness and walking speed are required.

LENGTH: 5.2 miles, 8 long staircases up and 4 down + steep hills. The elevation gain is 1250 ft. 2- 2 1/4h

SPEED: Brisk, faster than most moderate hikes, but well below advanced. We'll take a short pause to re-group at the top of the stairs and the steepest hills. There will be no sweep; bring a phone for navigation just in case you want to leave early.

BRING: Exercise outfit, workout shoes (no hiking shoes needed) and water.

RESTROOMS: At the library, please be back by 6.05pm.

MEETING POINT: We meet at 6pm for introductions and take off sharply at 6.05pm. There is a surprising amount of free street parking on Edgewater below the pin. Stay West of the library to avoid meters. ALERT!!! DEPENDING ON YOUR PHONE AND APP THE GPS LINK MAY BE SLIGHTLY OFF. Check the street names on a map before parking.
(If you are up to 15min late meet us at Glendale Blvd and Earl St.)

PLEASE NO CRASHING! Urban hikes do not work well with large groups, so, unfortunately, I have to limit the number of spots. I "overbook" events in anticipation of some last-minute dropouts, so you cannot count on those spots being available. Wait list, if needed, generally clears in order, with some exceptions based on attendance record and having a posted picture (LA Hiking Group rule).

LIABILITY: The organizer is an uncompensated and untrained volunteer. By joining this event each member accepts full responsibility for knowing their limits, for all injuries, medical issues, assessing safety concerns, material losses and for getting lost. Each member shall release the organizer from all liability and have their guests accept these policies, also.

PHOTO CREDIT: Greg, May 2023

 
 
 

Griffith Park Hike

The hike will be about 2 to 2.5 hours and will be about 4 to 5 miles is a FAST-PACED hike, we go different routes (fire road or up single-track).
To judge the difficulty of this hike; you should expect to go up a steep (25% grade) hill for 10 to 15 minutes at your own maximum hiking speed* before you get a short break and then do it again. We will typically ascend 900' to 1100' (HogBack to Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Lee, Taco, etc.).
*to the point that you are panting hard.
Another way to describe the difficulty; on this hike we go up STEEP and VERY STEEP hills, but we go at the speed of the slowest hiker as long as that slowest hiker is pushing very hard (panting, sweating). i.e., there is tolerance for a slower hiker that is pushing hard. If a slower hiker is taking it easy, then they will be asked to go back to the parking lot and join a different hike.
Bring WATER, hiking shoes, hiking poles and a long sleeve shirt if you get chilly. You can bring flash lights but please only the red or green; white light diminishes night vision. Arrive 10 to 15 earlier, we leave exactly on time. If you cannot make it, please update your RSVP.
How to get there take the Los Feliz/Crystal Springs entrance to the park just off the I-5 freeway. Go North on Crystal Springs into the park. At the second stop sign you'll come to a four way intersection. The ranger station should be on your right. Make a left at that intersection, go up the road a little bit, and you'll be forced to turn right into merry-go-round lot #1. Just drive through lot #1 and down the road a little ways and you'll be in lot #2. We meet in the middle of parking lot 2.
Please be aware that Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers and organize hikes without compensation and assume absolutely no responsibility for you or your guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers, and hazards associated with any outdoor activity, and you accept, and fully assume all such risks, dangers, and hazards, and further agree to release, and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Hosts of Los Angeles Hiking & Fitness Meetup Group from, and against any, and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. Please see the Meetup terms of service agreement http://www.meetup.com/terms/

 
 
 

Join us for a great evening workout in Whiting Woods area of the Verdugo Mountains starting from the Whiting Woods trailhead in Glendale. We will follow one of the lesser known but great trails to the top of the mountain. The views of the city lights are great and it sure beats that boring treadmill/elliptical in the gym. Chances are you'll get a much better workout too.

TRAINING CONCEPT:
This will essentially be a form of interval training, which is actually quite effective for increasing your cardio capacity/fitness level. Since we are all at different fitness levels some of us will likely keep a faster pace than others. We'll all try to push ourselves a bit to get our heart rate up and then catch our breath and re-group at the junctions and hilltops.

DIFFICULTY: ADVANCED
You already need to be well conditioned for this workout. Although the distance is relatively short this is a high intensity workout and several sections are very steep. This is not a slow paced "social hike". We'll keep a fast pace power-walking uphill with some jogging on some flatter/downhill sections in order to get our heart rate up and improve our conditioning.

THE PLAN:
We'll meet at the Whiting Woods Trailhead at the top of Whiting Woods Rd. (see photo below) in Glendale at about 6:20 PM, do some stretching and introductions etc. and get started heading up the trail at 6:30 PM.
We will follow a lesser used but really cool trail up along a ridge all the way to the Verdugo Motorway fire road and then up to the peak above it. From there we'll follow the Verdugo Crest trail north to another peak with the "Flag Bench" and then onto Verdugo Peak. We'll enjoy the views for a little while before heading back down along the Whiting Woods Motorway fire road.

NOTE: As I have not done this trails since last year it may be overgrown in places so I recommend wearing long pants and shirt.

LIGHT:
Make sure you have a good light in the form of a headlight/flashlight with spare batteries so you can see properly when it gets dark and can still move at a fast pace and avoid risking injury.

DISTANCE & ELEVATION GAIN:
About 5 miles and about 2000 ft. or so cumulative elevation gain/loss.

TIME REQUIRED:
About 2 - 2.5 hours or so.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Headlamp (best) or flashlight and spare batteries (important)
• Trail running shoes or flexible hiking booths with plenty of traction (important)
• Hydration system (best) or bottle with water or Gatorade etc.
• Your cell phone
• Consider layered clothing including a light wind breaker jacket
• Long pants and shirt

PARKING:
There should be plenty of parking on Whiting Woods Road leading up to the gate.

NO SHOWS:
It is inconsiderate to the organizer and anyone on the waiting list to RSVP and not show up, therefore I am registering no-shows. For this event you need to change your RSVP to "No" minimum 45 minutes before the start of the event. If you have multiple no-shows on your record you will be considered unreliable and may not be admitted to certain events and when there people on the waiting list.

DISCLAIMER:
Warning:
If you have prior medical condition or a family history of illnesses pertaining to heart, lungs, brain, etc. that can be aggravated by heat and physical exertion, this is not the hike for you.

If you have never done a hike of this distance or difficulty before, this hike will be very difficult for you. It may well be your death march. The mountain is not going anywhere. We will schedule this event again in the future. Do it when your mind and body are ready. Hiking is a recreation, not a suicide mission.

Release of Liability:
The organizer (me) of this trip is a volunteer and is not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/hike/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests.

By signing up for this trip, or any other event organized by me, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer (me) of this hike from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.

L.A. Hiking, its organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers are not responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur carpooling to and from this event, or for any injuries or accidents incurred before, during, and after this event. If you sign up or participate in an event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries and damages arising from, as a result of and associated with this event.