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

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.

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.