Back to the Beaudry Loop, Mt Tongva and Mt Thom

We're back on the trail as the days get longer and we're sticking to old favorites for the time being as people get back into shape.

Wednesday April 5, 2017 will be meeting at 5:15 PM the Beaudry Loop trailhead near 3110 Beaudry Terrace (accessed from Beaudry Drive and Country Club Dr. - see Google map link below).

http://bit.ly/2nBqdX1

More hikes to be announced soon.

Back on Trail and Blog

While the blog may have suffered some neglect, the Brand Ramblers have been hitting the trail with some regularity in 2016. We even started a few weeks ahead of the time change to Daylight Savings and now with some fresh blood joining the Wednesday hikes we're hitting a good stride (and may even get back to the dreaded Vital Link and Brand Library before it gets too hot). Already we've revisited the Deukmejian Wilderness twice, returned to El Prieto canyon, Eaton Falls, Griffith Park's Old Zoo Loop, added Whiting Woods to Mt. Verdugo, and joined a semi-monthly departmental trek to Echo Mountain. The most bittersweet hike was last year's Joel Scott memorial hike (the Beaudry Loop) to honor our friend and epic Brambler Joel.

JPL Gabrielino Trail - 4/8/2015

Back to a favorite trail as we get the Spring season into gear. We cross several streams and there was plenty of flow.

We even visited for a while with a California newt and were serenaded by a chorus of frogs as we hiked out in the descending darkness.

This is a gorgeous and quite accessible 5-mile hike - don't miss a chance to visit.

Google Map for Directions

Griffith Park Old Zoo Loop - 3/25/2015

Four 'Bramblers' revisited the Old Zoo Loop hike, aka "Bomi's Trail" on a pleasant Spring evening. As we quickly recalled - the initial ascent has a lot of altitude gain. We paced ourselves, and refreshed, the remainder was a perfect sunset ramble above the City of Angels.

There is a great lookout point about 3/4 of the way - and we took advantage of it for a lingering break, watching the sun setting on the towers of downtown.

Back on the trail - Old Zoo Loop

The Brand Ramblers are officially back on the trail for Spring 2015. We've started off on Wednesday 3/18 with an old favorite - the Las Flores motorway (fire road) route to Mt. Thom in the Verdugos.

Next Wednesday, 3/25, we'll be gathering at the Merry-Go-Round in Griffith Park for another go round of the "Bomi Route." Expect to see lots of sparkling city lights as we swing around the mountains for the final half of the hike.

Here is the Google route map for directions and overview of the terrain.


Don't forget to bring water and snacks, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes. See you there!

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.

Stair Trek and beyond

While the Bramblers have been on hiatus since we scrubbed the 11/20 3rd annual return to Mt Baldy due to bad weather some of us have started to attend the legendary LA stairway treks put together by Dan Koeppel and his compatriots in the Big Parade LA and the Los Angeles Stairstreet Advocates.

Upcoming January 2011 hikes are listed on the LA Stairstreet Advocates Facebook page, and range from an brisk 2.5 miles evening stroll of 14 stairways in Los Feliz' Franklin Hills, thru a moderate late afternoon 6 stairways/6 miles in Mt. Washington, to the ultimate (and original) extreme all-day (8 AM-6 PM) 68 stairway/24 miles "Stair Trek"!

We've already made a couple commitments to the milder treks - stay tuned for more information, updates and photos from these excellent urban adventures.

Brand Park to Mt Thom Sunset Hike - Wed 9/22

View Brand Library to Mt. Thom in a larger map
Back to Brand Park for a sunset hike up one of the ridges to Mt. Thom.

Meet in the library parking lot at 5:30 PM and bring your hiking kit.

Carousel the the Stars - Wed. Sept. 15

View Larger Map
A return to Griffith Park and a leisurely sunset stroll up Fern Canyon, pass Mt. Glendale (yes - can you believe it?!) and across Hogback Ridge to Mt. Hollywood. Perfect hiking weather too!

We'll meet in the Merry-Go-Round parking lot just before 5:30 PM and head up the Fern Canyon trail. If you're running late you can easily catch up and call ahead to we can plan for a rendezvous.

Bring water, snacks, and a flash light - cider will be provided.

Carousel to the Stars is just a clever name for this pleasant and scenic light-to-moderate hike from the eastern side of Griffith Park to the center point peak Mt. Hollywood which sits behind the Griffith Observatory.

Sunset Hike - Vital Link September 8

Back in action for a late summer sunset hike, the Brand Ramblers return to the Vital Link trail and hope for cool evening breeze.

We'll depart from the Wildwood Canyon parking lot at 5:30 PM and ascend to the Verdugos' ridge line and lookout. be sure and bring plenty to drink as this trail can be a real work out. Cider and snacks will be shared at the summit (and possibly at the halfway point if some of the party elect to forgo the summit).


View Vital Link, Wildwood Canyon in a larger map

As usual, contact Ken if you're running late.

Brand Library to Mt. Thom Sunset Scramble

Thursday's sunset hike is an easy-to-moderate hike depending on your conditioning and whether you plan to stop at the Lookout point (benches) or continue all the way to Mt. Thom (the "scramble" part). This time we'll use a proper foot path rather than a fire road. The trail gets steep at several points (it follows a ridge leading up to Mt Thom) but there are great views along the way and plenty of chances to stop and rest.


View Brand Library to Mt. Thom in a larger map

Meet at 5:00 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).

The entire hike up and back should take about 2 hours. 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.

From August 2007 Brand Park Sunset Hike

Spring forward! Back on the trail... to Mt. Thom

Daylight Saving Time struck like a bolt of lightning - it's time to get back on the trail.

To keep things simply we'll be heading up to Mt. Thom this Thursday at 5:00 PM - a little earlier than usual (it may be PDT again but it'll still get dark fairly early).

Assemble at the parking area a block below the Las Flores gate and bring the usual gear (cider will be provided but you bring the water, sunscreen, etc). Since it'll start getting dark on the descent flashlights are recommended but may not be needed.

Previous Las Flores-to-Mt. Thom hike description with directions is here.

Lots of ambitious plans (again) for 2010 including Half Dome and the remaining peaks of the 'Big Three' - San Gorgonio and San Jacinto - and let's not forget Mt. Whitney.

But enough with the planning - let's hit the trail and share a toast atop Thom. See you there!


Last Bramblers' outing - resting on the Devil's Backbone.(PHOTO: Joel Scott)