Fern Dell - Griffith Observatory Loop - 7/11/12

An old standby and a good moderate workout along popular walking trails in the southwest corner of Griffith Park. I first started using this route when the remodeled Griffith Observatory opened and access was limited to buses. You could walk up and gain admittance without all the fuss (and it was free as well). Some of the first Brand Ramblers hikes were in these parts and it seems like the right time to return. Below is the route map and we'll meet-up and start a little later (5:45 PM).


View Fern Dell to Griffith Observatory Loop in a larger map
There are some great views looking south (aligned with Vermont Avenue) as we approach the observatory from below. There is a small snack bar (Trails) across from the street parking so if you come early or they stay open late you can enjoy their fresh made food and drinks.

Urban Riverside Ramble - Wednesday 06/27/12

Something new for the Bramblers - an urban trek starting in Atwater Village and proceeding along the Los Angeles river, passing through the Glendale Narrows and up through the Corralitas Red Car property with a loop back along the river. This is a relatively easy 5 miles loop and shows a different side to our city.

Here is the Google route map:
 
View Over the river and through the woods in a larger map

We're meet promptly at the Atwater Village trailhead at 5:30 PM. Don't miss this one!

 

Mt Lee - Hollywood Sign - Wednesday 6/20/12

Back to Mt Lee and the Hollywood sign - a 6.5 round trip hike up Brush Canyon and along the Mulholland trail. Great views both north and south on this route. Meet-up in the Bronson Canyon parking lot at 5:30 PM .
Next week we'll be attempting an urban trek along the Glendale Narrows and follow the old Red Car route for a portion above Fletcher and Riverside ("Over the river and through the woods...") - details to follow.


View Mt. Lee - Hollywood Sign in a larger map

Mt Thom via Las Flores - Wednesday 6/13

Four hardy Bramblers (2 first timers for the Las Flores route) summitted Mt. Thom at sunset after a brisk 55 minute trek.

Lots of schedule conflicts this week led to a smaller team but a good time was had by all. Next up - return to Mt. Lee and the Hollywood sign (6/20 - "From Here to Eternity") followed by a new urban ramble (6/27 - "Over the river and through the woods").

Brand Library Loop Report

Here's the route from last night's 7+ miles Brand Library Loop. we got a slightly late start and took our time on the ascent (first time for 2 Bramblers). We also tallied a bit on our refreshment break at the junction of Verdugo and Brand Motorways (fire roads) so we descended the rather long Brand Motorway in increasing darkness.



All 5 Bramblers enjoyed the moderately-paced hike and we wrapped up around 9 PM back at the trailhead.

Brand Library Loop - Wednesday 6/6/12

Back to the Verdugos via an old standard ascent modified into a leisurely loop (the last 2/3 is leisurely – the ascent is still strenuous).

The trail gets steep at several points (it follows a ridge leading up towards Mt Thom) but there are great views along the way and plenty of chances to stop and rest. There's a little bit of 'scrambling' at a few of the steeper parts of the trail but overall this is not a difficult trail if you are reasonably in shape. Good hiking shoes/gear is recommended – and bring plenty of water. We’ll have cider and snacks at the junction of Verdugo & Brand motorways just before we descend the Brand Library fire road.

Meet at 5:30 PM at the Miss America Green Cross statue adjacent to the parking lot next to the Brand Library & Art Center inside Brand Park (1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale CA). 

Google route map http://goo.gl/maps/HWnS

Bagging Glendale Peak

Another successful (no one lost or injured) Wednesday sunset hike - this time bagging the elusive Glendale Peak (34.124874,-118.287767) - which we almost missed! Given the elevation, 1240 FT, we were able to forego oxygen bottles and opted for pear cider (the pic is post-cider)!

We DID miss visiting the summit of Bee Rock, a beehive-shaped sandstone outcropping that is an example of exposed marine sedimentary rock widely seen throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. The Old Zoo loop includes a long level section of Vista Del Valle Drive and the Bramblers were streaming by at a fast clip - so fast that we didn't notice the outcropping until we were well south of it.

Next week we'll be back in the Verdugos for a Brand Library loop - details to follow soon.

Old Zoo Loop - Wednesday May 30, 2012

We're leaving the Verdugo mountains this week to trek through the far eastern end of the Santa Monica mountains, aka Griffith Park! This is Neil's contribution - a loop hike starting at the Carousel parking lot and passing through the old Los Angeles Zoo and up to Vista Del Valley Drive, around Mt. Glendale, and return via the Fern Canyon trail.

Route map: http://g.co/maps/5jkwk

We'll meet at the parking lot at 5:25 PM and start heading up the trail at 5:30 PM sharp. Bring sun protection and good shoes - we'll have some cider and snacks to share.

Brand Ramblers Redux - Wednesdays May 2012

The Brand Ramblers' hiatus is over and we're back with regular weekly Wednesday evening hikes.

We're already repeated the classic Las Flores to Mt. Thom hike in May and just completed the Beaudry Loop yesterday with 11 Bramblers and a few bottles of cider (see posted pics).

Next week (5/30/2012) we've embark on a new trek - a 6.5+ Old Zoo loop (contributed by Neil Symes).

The following week (6/6/2012) we'll do a Brand Library loop in the Verdugo mountains - details to follow soon.