Updates of Recent Hikes

We've been a little lax in updating the Brand Ramblers blog so we take this opportunity while cooling down from a Vital Link trek (see Google Earth image above looking down the ridge) to post the following updates:

Vital Link Weekly Fitness Hike, Tuesday 9/30
Mark, Sun, Ken, Chetan, Joel (first time to the summit for Chetan)

Mt. Lee/Hollywood Sign Hike Sunday 9/28
Neil, Angela, Vish & Ken (first time for Angela & Vish)

Vital Link Weekly Fitness Hike, Tuesday 9/23
Ryan, Sun, Ashish, Chetan, Joel (first time for Joel)

Vital Link Weekly Fitness Hike, Tuesday 9/16
Mark, Sun, Ryan, Julia, and Ken were returnees while Shri and Kevin were first-timers to the summit

Mt. Thom Sunset Hike (4th Ascent) Tuesday 9/9
Mark, Katya, Julia, Chetan, Ken (first time for Mark, Katya & Julia)

The days are rapidly getting shorter while the summer heat has been over staying its welcome. Look for more weekend outings and we'll be adapting by adding flashlights and headlamps as we continue our post-workday evening hikes.

On a sad note, we're losing Brambler Brother Harvey who's relocating to Atlanta and will be dearly missed on our treks. We wish him and his new family many happy hikes in the beautiful South East.

Harvey (far right) looks towards the camera as Brand Ramblers prepare to leave Fern Dell in Griffith Park, March 2008

Back to Mt. Lee & the Hollywood Sign

The Brand Ramblers return to Mt. Lee & the Hollywood sign for the first Sunday morning hike of the Fall. This a moderate well-paced hike that starts and ends in the south western corner of Griffith Park. We'll meet at the parking lot at the end of Bronson Canyon drive at 8 AM and proceed up the Brush Canyon fire road until we meet the Mulholland Trail. We'll then head west along the trail and take Mt. Lee drive for the final leg of the ascent. Currently the landscape is pretty dry and dusty but hopefully we'll have a couple hours of low clouds for the climbing portion of the trek. A few weeks ago clusters of native datura (common names Jimson Weed, Hell's Bells, Angel Trumpets) were blooming trailside [see photo]. Interestingly Datura comes from Hindi Dhatūrā for thorn apple.

The Brand Ramblers Tuesday evening Vital Link fitness hikes continue (2 down, 5 to go) although we may have to move the start to 5 PM given the rapidly shortening daylight.

Full updates and pics of recent hikes will be posted soon.

Weekly Fitness Hikes Kicked-Off

7 'Bramblers' kicked off the weekly Vital Link hike series last night with the successful completion of the 4-mile roundtrip from the Wildwood Canyon parking lot. Mark, Sun, Ryan, Julia, and Ken were returnees while Shri and Kevin were first-timers (Shri had made a previous descent during a traverse of the Verdugos but had never ascended the trail).

The weekly Vital Link fitness hike with continue on Tuesday through October 28.

The next Brand Ramblers weekend hike is the Sunday September 28 Mt. Lee/Hollywood Sign hike from Bronson Canyon. Details to follow... previous MT. Lee hike info is available here and here.

Weekly Vital Link Fitness Hikes - Tuesdays

As the cool weather returns the Brand Ramblers begin a weekly Vital Link fitness hike that will run until the end of October. Details to follow.
Mark Drapkin conquered Mt. Whitney a few weeks ago - as evidenced by the photo above.

Back to Mt. Thom for September Sunset

Please join the Brand Ramblers for another sunset hike as we return to Mt. Thom for a 4th time this Tuesday 9/9 at 5:30 PM.

Total roundtrip distance is approximately 5.5-miles with an elevation gain of 1200 feet. Park and assemble at the Las Flores Motorway gate (see driving directions for additional info). We’ll assemble at 5:30 and will start walking at 5:40.

The entire hike up and back should take about 1-1/2 to 2 hours. This is not a difficult trek if you are in reasonably good shape.

Driving Directions
From the intersection of Brand & Doran drive the 3 miles to the Las Flores Motorway trailhead.

1. Head north (on either Brand or Central) and turn right onto East Glenoaks Blvd and drive for .7 mile
2. See direction signs and turn right at the light to stay on Glenoaks Blvd as it takes a 90 degree turn – continue on another .1 mile to the intersection with N. Glendale Blvd.
3. Turn left at N. Glendale Ave, staying in left lanes - continue on as Glendale Blvd becomes N. Verdugo Rd.
4. Stay in the left lanes continue on N. Verdugo Rd. as it becomes Canada Blvd (follow signs for Canada Blvd)
5. Continue driving north until you reach the end of Verdugo Park and turn left at Colina Drive.
6. Continue up Colina Drive as it becomes Sunshine Dr.
7. Locate street parking on Polaris Drive or on Sunshine Drive below the intersection with Sandingham Drive (watch for parking restrictions) and walk the rest of the way up Sunshine Drive to the Las Flores gate (just pass Kildonan Drive).

Call Ken if you're running late or get lost. See Google map for this route.


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