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

Up Across & Down - 'Bramblers' Boast Traverse

6-hardy 'Bramblers' today inaugurated the Brand Ramblers annual Verdugo Traverse, enjoying gorgeous weather despite above average temperatures. While a higher attendance was anticipated no doubt distance (7-miles plus), elevation (1300 feet) and unexpected weekend heatwave helped suppress turnout.

The 3.4 mile ascent on the Hostetter Motorway was pleasantly gentle with only the last part more of a challenge as the heat of the day kicked in. Resting at the Plantation Lateral which borders the Warden's Grove was especially delightful as we shared oranges, chocolate, jerky and sour cherries.

The north slope's thick, lush landscape was breath taking. Explosive clumps of sage, buckwheat, dodder, mustard, and smatterings of California poppies (as well as enormous stands of poison oak) abounded at every turn. Blackened stumps from previous brush fires were visible but were being rapidly overtaken by new verdant growth.

Views from along the Verdugo Motorway, the fire road that runs along the spine and is used to service the antenna farms. were also a surprise as the air quality was much better than one would expect given the mini-heatwave. The ocean was visible to the south west and one could look far into the Valley. Downtown Los Angeles stood out as an island to the south east and the now-drained Silver Lake reservoir was a surprise to see (beige instead of blue!).

The descent on the Vital Trail was harder than expected - it's a short, steep trail composed of numerous switchbacks with no opportunities to rest and water in shade. This was a bit of a grind but thankfully brief.

Since this was a longer trek than usual we had time to kick around ideas for future hikes and started initial planning for the Bramblers' Fall itinerary.



Catching a bit of shade after descending Vital Link - ready for the last leg into Wildwood Canyon.

Next Hike: Eaton Canyon, Sunday 4/20, 8 AM

Sunset on the Vital Link trail - Wed 3/26

5 hardy trekkers made a 1600 feet ascent up the Vital Link trail above Wildwood canyon in the 4th outing of March for the Brand Ramblers.

This popular trail was a good fitness challenge but we had to head back early because of waning light. We descended and walked out through Wildwood canyon park in the quickening darkness to complete the 4 mile hike in two hours.

Next hike: Sunday March 30, 8 AM
Eaton Canyon-Henniger Flats, Pasadena
Meet at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center at 1750 North Altadena Drive in Pasadena and we're hike up to Henniger Flats. More details to follow.

Wildwood Canyon Fitness Hike - Wed 3/26

Please join the Brand Ramblers as we head out on a sunset fitness hike up Burbank's Wildwood Canyon to the Verdugo Moutains ridge line, this Wednesday 3/26 at 5:30 PM.

This hike is rated as a fitness hike as there is a nearly 1700 foot elevation gain in the 2 miles of the Vital Link trail that runs atop the western slopes of Wildwood Canyon to the junction with the Verdugo Motorway fire road. The trail is well maintained and has numerous switchbacks the last 3/4 mile as it rapidly ascends to the antenna complex at the summit.

Don't be put off – this isn't the stuff of Iron Triathlons – it's just a moderate-to-strenuous ridge trail that will give you an excellent workout while enjoying an early spring sunset!

Total round trip is 4 miles – and starting at 5:30 we should be back at the trail head by 7:30, just pass sunset.

Driving Directions
1. Take freeway (134 to 5) or surface streets to Harvard Road in Burbank and head north towards the Verdugo mountains.

2. Harvard Road enters parkland at Sunset Drive – continue north towards the Castaways and park in the lot at the junction with Wildwood Canyon road (the entrance is well marked). Do not park beyond the gate as it may be padlocked at sunset – instead park in the adjacent overflow lot.

3. We'll meet in the parking area and then head up Wildwood Canyon road to the first trail that takes one up to the ridge.

4. Call Ken's cell if you're running late or get lost.