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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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)
