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)
March 16, 2010
Spring forward! Back on the trail... to Mt. Thom
May 10, 2009
May Sunset Hikes to Mt. Thom
Twice weekly sunset 'conditioning' hikes are the order of the day for the month of May. The Monday Brand Library to Mt. Thom 'scramble' has proven a worthy alternative to the Vital Link workout and we'll continuing with regular weekly ascents through the rest of the month (excluding Memorial Day). Since this 'scramble' is so demanding we're also following up with a weekly easy-to-moderate Thursday trek up the Las Flores motorway (aka 'fire road') to Mt. Thom.
The final scramble just below the fire road
- Mondays: Brand Library to Mt. Thom, 5:30-7:30 PM | Google Map
- Thursdays: Las Flores Motorway to Mt. Thom, 5:30-7:30 PM | Google Map
Atop Mt. Thom with Glendale & Eagle Rock in the background
We're in the planning stage for a Monday Memorial Day hike - nothing too wild, and also looking at a return to Mt. Baldy in June.
May 14, 2008
Mt. Thom Times 5
Despite a spate of last minute cancellations a small group of hardy Ramblers trekked up the Las Flores Motorway to Mt. Thom for yet another sunset hike. This was the first visit to the summit for the 4 pictured Ramblers (Shirley, Chetan, Ashish, and Vish), and the 5th for the cellphone photographer, Ken.
After days of "May Gray" (it's too early for "June Gloom") the weather turned out sunny and mild - perfect for this moderate walk. Still lots of clumps of gorgeous orange dodder and humming birds were busy enjoying the Monkey flowers which seem to be in full bloom.
Stay tuned for more Brand Ramblers hikes to be announced shortly. A return to Griffith Park is being planned to observe the first anniversary of the devastating 2007 brush fire and to examine the park's recovery.
March 14, 2008
Sunset Hike: Return to Mt. Tom - Wed 3/19
Please join the Brand Ramblers as we head out for the first sunset hike of 2008 this Wednesday 3/19 at 5:00 PM. 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.
Total roundtrip distance is approximately 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 and will start walking up Las Flores at 5:10.
Driving Directions
From the intersection of Brand & Doran drive the 3 miles to the Las Flores Motorway trailhead.
- Head north (on either Brand or Central) and turn right onto East Glenoaks Blvd and drive for .7 mile
- 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.
- Turn left at N. Glendale Ave, staying in left lanes - continue on as Glendale Blvd becomes N. Verdugo Rd.
- Stay in the left lanes continue on N. Verdugo Rd. as it becomes Canada Blvd (follow signs for Canada Blvd)
- Continue driving north until you reach the end of Verdugo Park and turn left at Colina Drive.
- Continue up Colina Drive as it becomes Sunshine Dr.
- 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).
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