REAL TRAIL NAME: Griffith Park Hike Starting from Lot G (Greek Theatre)
HIKE DATE: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
MEETING TIME: 7:00pm
(We’ll wait about 15 mins. Don’t miss and get there early)
HIKE LEAD: Patricia De Leon
HIKE LEVEL: Level 3
WHAT IS A HIKING LEVEL?:
Find out more about hiking levels here:
http://latrailhikers.com/about/hike-levels/
MEETING PLACE:
Parking Lot “G” (on the left just after you pass the Greek Theater)
(Note that this parking lot is not lit at night)
2700 North Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
[Scroll down for a map of the meeting point]
DISTANCE: 2.5 to 4.5 miles round trip (Approx. – depending on the trail)
DURATION: 2 Hours (Approx.)
TRAIL WALKTHROUGH: Please note that Parking Lot G is the meeting point and we take a variety of starting points from here. The actual trail is decided at meeting time. We usually go up to peaks which will give us a great view of the Los Angeles basin and/or some of the burbank/Glendale area. Depending on the trail sections we take, we may encounter different levels of uphill incline. The rest of the trail will go in an impromptu format until we head back to the parking lot. These hikes are intended to be a workout, so please expect to get good exercise. Here are few trail sets we may go on from here:
- Griffith Observatory 360 – A fascinating connection of trails that go around the Griffith Observatory and give you a full circle view of it as we go along. Includes: Trailhead switchbacks, many leveled trail sections, wide paths down and up around the south side of Griffith Park, a section where the trail has a good steady incline to the midway point, and either a trip up halfways to Mt. Hollywood to the Sanctuary trail that winds down to the parking lot OR a trail down the east side of the Observatory that loops back to to the starting trail.
- Dante’s Peak- Great view of LA and surrounding city lights from the peak. The goal is to touch the green pole at the top.
- (via the Bird Sanctuary) – A great workout hike up to Mt. Hollywood Peak (aka Dante’s Peak) up some inclined trails that run up beside Mt. Hollywood.
- (via East Ridge “Hogback” trail) – An extreme workout up that starts on a flat Riverside Trail. This trail then starts to go uphill and takes us up near Glendale peak. We then u-turn up to get on to Hogback trail where we pass the blue colored “Henry’s Trail” sign and go across the bridge into a steep incline up the Hogback’s main section. After about a 1/2 mile of steep uphill, we get to Dante’s View (a garden on the east of Mt. Hollywood). From there we head up to Dante’s peak. The way down will take us down either side of the peak back to get to the Bird Sanctuary trail that leads back to the parking lot.
- Cedar Grove – A small green grove of cedar trees that gives you the feeling of being out in a small green (dark, when night falls earlier) forest. We will take the Riverside Trail and take a small section of Commonwealth Canyon Dr. to get us to the wide fire road that leads us to Cedar Grove. We’ll stop to go inside the grove and then continue upward. We will continue to 5-points and then head back up one of the other trails to get us back up to Vista View Point (aka The Helipad Overlook). We’ll take the Riverside trail back down to the parking lot.
- Glendale Peak – A view of the city from one of the great peaks in Griffith Park. We’ll take the complete Riverside Trail until we get to and take a section of the East Ridge trail that will take us to the “Henry’s Trail” sign. We do not cross the bridge but instead go up a path indicated by the arrow on the sign all the way to the end, Glendale Peak. We follow the same path back down to the parking lot with a possible visit to Vista View Point (aka The Helipad Overlook)
REQUIREMENTS: WATER. 1.5 to 2 Liters of water OR about three 20oz bottles of water. Comfortable hiking/sports shoes with good grip.
WATER REQUIRED. WATER CHECK WILL BE PERFORMED. If you do not take enough water or are not appropriately equipped for this hike, you will be turned away from doing this hike with us even if you show up. Hydration packs are great for such water necessities. Please note, that we have expectations for Level 5 evening hikers. Read all the details.
RECOMMENDED: If you plan on bringing a flashlight, please bring a low beam Red, Green, or Blue (LED) light. Dress warmly/appropriately as it can be quite chilly at night. We recommend dressing in easily removable layers of clothes. Hiking sticks/poles help you go up hill and keep you balanced when going downhill. Bug repellent helps on days that may have bugs. It’s good to keep it handy even if you don’t use it on this particular hike.
DOG-FRIENDLY?: If experienced, Yes (and be kind, bring them their own water), but must be on a leash.
PARKING FEE: None, the park offers free parking.
RSVP ONLINE:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/latrailhikers?sk=events
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE WITH THE GROUP ON THIS HIKE?
1. Read the Hike’s Details we link at the very top of this page.
2. Make sure that the Hike Level accommodates your hiking experience.
3. If, and only if it suits you, then RSVP for this event and show up the day of the hike with all necessary gear and water (we mention everything you need on the details page for this hike).
MY FRIEND SAID I CAN DO THIS HIKE, I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT, RIGHT?
Contrary to popular belief, you know your body and hiking experience better than your friends. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced hiker, please read our hike details page as the hike may not suite your experience level. We have a better experience if every hike has hikers of the intended level.
DISCLAIMER: LA Trail Hikers and its Leads/Organizers/Participa
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