Advanced Hiking Los Angeles

Intro to the Wilderness Travel Course

Join us for a free clinic to discover how WTC helps hikers, backpackers, and outdoor enthusiasts develop their skiils! Curious about backpacking, wilderness travel, and building confidence in the outdoors? Come learn about one of Southern California’s longest-running and most respected outdoor education programs: the **Sierra Club Wilderness Travel Course (WTC).** **Presented by:** Wilderness Travel Course (WTC) Instructor David Meltzer This session will provide an overview of the Wilderness Travel Course, including what participants can expect during the 10-week program, the types of skills taught, and the outdoor experiences that make WTC such a unique and rewarding community. **Key topics include:** * What the Wilderness Travel Course is all about * Backpacking, navigation, and wilderness safety skills taught during the course * Training hikes, overnight trips, and outdoor experiences * Gear, preparation, and fitness expectations * Who the course is designed for - from beginners to experienced hikers * Opportunities to build outdoor confidence, community, and leadership skills Whether you’re brand new to hiking and backpacking or looking to expand your outdoor knowledge and meet like-minded adventurers, this is a great opportunity to learn more and ask questions in a welcoming, supportive environment. The presentation will conclude with an open Q&A session where attendees can ask questions about the course, outings, gear, fitness, and more. Come get inspired for your next adventure!

21ST GREAT LOS ANGELES WALK 2026 - SANTA MONICA BLVD.

**CROSS-POSTED WITH HUMANIST HIKERS, LA & OC WEIRDO MUSIC & ART FORUM** **Date:** Saturday Nov. 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM TO WHENEVER THE HECK YOU FINISH! **Starting location**: Echo Park Lady of the Lake Statue 751 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026 [https://share.google/ytyoZEMgxV3AHssuW](https://share.google/ytyoZEMgxV3AHssuW) **End Location**: Santa Monica Pier - Santa Monica Bl & Ocean Ave., Santa Monica Join us for the 21st edition of the GLAW, and the 6th one with So Cal Explorers! It's a different route every year. For our 21st edition of The Great Los Angeles Walk, we're hitting the Mother Road! It's the 100th anniversary of Route 66, so why not get our kicks by walking the last several miles of the iconic highway — in this case, it's the full length of Santa Monica Boulevard! As always, the Walk will take place the Saturday before Thanksgiving, which this year is Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026. We'll meet at Echo Park's Lady of the Lake statue at 9 a.m. -- and then walk Route 66/Santa Monica Boulevard (which, I know, is now actually Route 2!) in its entirety, to the ocean. We'll end, naturally, at the Santa Monica Pier's "End of Route 66" sign. **SAVE THE DATE! After Party**: location TBD **Distance**: usually around 15-16 miles **Event web page:** [https://greatlawalk.blogspot.com](https://greatlawalk.blogspot.com) Attendees will be encouraged to explore the city in a safe way, and follow proper safety protocols. As they walk through Los Angeles, they’ll document what they see and share that experience with others. It’s not a race – attendees are encouraged to take their time, explore, learn about their city and even build community with others. **Sign up for their newsletter detailing the walk:** To join in, just EMAIL US at *[[greatlawalk@mail.com](http://greatlawalk@mail.com/)]([mailto:greatlawalk@mail.com](http://mailto:greatlawalk@mail.com/))* The Great Los Angeles Walk takes place every year **the Saturday before Thanksgiving.** \- Walk across the city of Los Angeles\. See the city from a new perspective\. \- Meet fellow walkers along the way\. \- This is **NOT** a race or competition. \- This is **NOT** a guided tour (but there is a map). \- Walk at your own pace and stop when and where you like\. **The journey itself is its own point.** L.A. journalist and blogger **Michael Schneider** launched the Great Los Angeles Walk in **2006** as a way to celebrate his tenth year in Los Angeles. Inspired by the book “Wilshire Boulevard: Grand Concourse of Los Angeles,” by Kevin Roderick, he decided to walk the street’s entire length. The Great Los Angeles Walk grew from dozens of participants to hundreds, and continues to expand each year – always the Saturday before Thanksgiving -- as more Angelenos join in to explore their city on foot. **Details to come on where we will gather, our food options during the day and more.** If you're not familiar with the Walk, please go read this wonderful feature in the Los Angeles Times, which perfectly encapsulated what we're all about: **[L.A. isn’t a walking city? The man behind Great Los Angeles Walk would like a word](https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-11-08/great-los-angeles-walk-michael-schneider)** As always, the Walk is **completely free**. It is up to the participants to decide how much or how little of the walk they want to do. More recently, the Walk was included in the book "***The Best Things to Do In Los Angeles: 1001 Ideas***" by Joy Yoo Social media users can follow along all day on the walk's **official Twitter feed, [https://x.com/greatlawalk](https://x.com/greatlawalk)** , as we continually post our location. **All the details are here:** *[http://greatlawalk.blogspot.com/](http://greatlawalk.blogspot.com/)* **Video: Why we walk** *[https://youtu.be/m5DASOc424w](https://youtu.be/m5DASOc424w)* **Facebook page**: *[https://www.facebook.com/greatlawalk](https://www.facebook.com/greatlawalk) /* Join their e-mail list: *[[greatlawalk@mail.com](http://greatlawalk@mail.com/)]([mailto:greatlawalk@mail.com](http://mailto:greatlawalk@mail.com/))* Photos from last year: [ https://www.meetup.com/so-cal-explorers/photos/35710054/](https://www.meetup.com/so-cal-explorers/photos/35710054/)

Take the train to LA: Urban Hike in Pasadena

Part of Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena will be closed to traffic on Sunday, November 15, 2026 from 9AM to 3PM, so people can ride bikes on the streets. With no cars, it's the perfect time to walk Colorado Boulevard (no more than 5 miles roundtrip) and do some extra sightseeing. (lunch break TBD) https://ciclavia.org/events/pasadena-2026-11/ To get there, we can take the Metrolink train 661 from OC to LA Union Station: 1661 leaves Irvine 9:21AM: https://metrolinktrains.com/schedules/?type=station&originId=140&destinationId=107&weekend=4 Or get on the 1661 at Tustin at 9:28AM, or Santa Ana at 9:35AM, or in Anaheim at 9:45AM, or at Fullerton at 9:53AM, or at Buena Park at 9:58AM. There are lots more places to catch this train. The train only costs $12 on the weekend: https://metrolinktrains.com/ticketsOverview/discounts/metrolink-$12-weekends/ Visit a Metrolink station with weekend service. Use the ticket machines and select "SoCal Day Pass" on the home screen\*. You also may buy tickets with our mobile app on the day of travel. Don't worry about meeting up on the train, although I'm sure you'll recognize people in any car you get into. We'll arrive at Union Station at 10:34, then we'll all meet up at Starbucks (next to Wetzel's Pretzels) - and this is a good bathroom break spot). Here's a map of Union Station: https://www.unionstationla.com/visit/ After a restroom break and giving time for people to gather together, we'll transfer to the Blue (or A) line, for a 24 minute ride to Memorial Park in Pasadena. https://cdn.beta.metro.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/11104336/801_TT_06-07-26-1.pdf

Monrovia Hillside Preserve Conditioning - Advanced

(Check comments for updates) Join us for a great conditioning hike in the Monrovia Hillside Preserve with some nice scenic views as well. It is very steep in parts so it will give you an excellent cardio, leg, and butt workout. (Event is cross posted) **DIFFICULTY: ADVANCED** You already need to be well conditioned for this workout. Although the distance is relatively short this is a high intensity workout and some sections are very steep. **TRAINING CONCEPT:** The focus will be to get a great workout and improve our conditioning walking at a brisk pace (3-4 mph) on flatter sections and going up some steep inclines (1.5-2 mph). This will essentially be a form of interval training, which is actually quite effective for increasing our cardio capacity/fitness level. Some may also choose to jog/run some flatter sections, but this is entirely optional. We'll all push ourselves a bit individually in order to get our heart rate up and then catch our breath and re-group at the junctions and hilltops. Due to the steepness, it is important to wear shoes with great traction. **THE PLAN:** We will meet at the gate at the end of Highland Pl. at 3:20 PM, do some stretching and introductions etc. and get started heading up the trail at 3:30 PM. There are a few trail options, so the idea is to change it up a little every time. **DISTANCE & ELEVATION GAIN:** This varies depending on route, but it should be about 5-6 miles and about 1600 ft. or so of elevation gain **TIME REQUIRED:** About 2 hours or so. **WHAT TO BRING:** * Trail running shoes or flexible hiking booths with plenty of traction (important) * Hydration system (best) or a bottle with water or Gatorade etc. * Headlamp in case it gets dark before we are done * Your cell phone (make sure organizer has your number). * Consider layered clothing **PARKING:** There should be plenty of parking along Highland Pl. **NO SHOWS:** It is inconsiderate to the organizer and anyone on the waiting list to RSVP and not show up, therefore I am registering no-shows. For this event you need to change your RSVP to "No" minimum 30 minutes before the start of the event. If you have multiple no-shows on your record, you will be considered unreliable and may not be admitted to certain events and when there are people on the waiting list. **DISCLAIMER:** Please ensure that you are in good health before participating in a high intensity activity like this one. If you are in doubt, please get a check-up with a physician. As an event organizer I assume absolutely no responsibility for you. I am simply a "training buddy", nothing more. If you choose to participate, you assume all responsibility for yourself and agree not to hold me or our Meetup group liable in any way.

Griffith Park Hike to Vista View Point- Moderate

We will take a 4.5 mile/1200ft elevation gain hike to Vista View Point. We will take the back way to the View Point. Lower Beacon Trail to the Coolidge Trail and then to the Upper Beacon Trail. We will come back on the Fern Canyon Trail. This hike is will take approximately 120 minutes. This is a moderate hike with a sweep. we are not trying to break any land-speed records. but you should know your limitations. **NO ANIMALS ALLOWED ON HIKE** We do leave ON TIME, no matter how much traffic is on the freeways, inside the park, including if our parking lots are being used by movie crews. Allow yourself enough time for any unexpected surprises. Where to meet: If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, just by the first entrance to Lot #2. WE DO NOT MEET BY THE STEPS - IF YOU ARE AT THE STEPS YOU ARE IN THE WRONG SPOT. Put these coordinates in google maps to locate the spot where we meet: 34.133525,-118.284731 The fine print: Wildlife (snakes, bobcats, mountain lions etc) seen in the park, be aware of your surroundings and stay alert at all times. Legend for hikes: These hikes run year 'round every Tuesday. In the leader's (subjective) mind, the hikes are generally easiest the first Tuesday of the month and most challenging the last Tuesday of the month, with everything progressive in between. Beginners are encouraged to come to the first Tuesday of the month. Beginners will receive doses of encouragement the second Tuesday of the month to keep up if unable. The 3-4-5 Tuesday's of the month it is expected anyone that can't keep up with the leader will turn back. Bring Along: Hiking boots and at least 1 Liter Water. Layered clothing in case it's cold. Long pants in case it's hot, to prevent being bitten by insects. Mosquito and tick spray (available at Sports Chalet) are recommended. No bright (white) flashlights please. Red, Blue flashlights are ok. If you get to the lot after we meet, Sierra Club hikes start at 7:00PM on the opposite end of the lot. From 134 Freeway: (Note, if you are not familiar with Griffith Park Drive, this is a dark single lane route. You are better off taking I5 directions) Exit Forest Lawn. (If coming from Westbound go straight, from Eastbound, Go Right). Make a left on Zoo Drive. Make a right hand turn on Griffith Park Drive. Road weaves through Griffith Park. Continue on road until you hit Crystal Springs Road. Make a right hand turn on Crystal Springs. There's no street sign at the next stop sign. Look for the sign in the median stating "Merry-Go-Round Parking" with an arrow, follow the arrow. Continue up the road. The road forces you to make a sharp right hand turn into a parking lot, this is Lot 1. Go through the parking lot. You'll hit a small road (there are no lights on this road so it will be dark if it is not daylight savings time) which will take you to Parking Lot 2. This is the parking lot where we meet. We meet next to the driveway that takes you down to parking Lot 3. From Interstate 5 (either direction) Go West on Los Feliz. Make a right on Riverside drive into Griffith Park. Go two stop signs and make a left turn. Continue up the road. The road forces you to make a sharp right hand turn into a parking lot. Go through the parking lot. You'll hit a small dark road (it's lit if it's daylight savings time) for a short period of time, followed by a brightly lit lot. Park in the back of the lot (the part you entered in). Meet at the back of the lot, at the top of the driveway that takes you to the lower lot. It's near to the "No Practice Driving Allowed" sign. Where to meet: If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, just at the path to the lower lot. WE DO NOT MEET BY THE STAIRCASE - IF YOU ARE AT THE STAIRCASE YOU ARE IN THE WRONG SPOT. Put these coordinates in google maps to locate the spot where we meet: 34.133525,-118.284731

The Great LA Walk 2026. We join this yearly. Come and be part of the happening

(this event (as a meetup) needed to be moved. It's complicated m Event still occurring on Nov 22 2025

Doo Dah Parade in Pasadena!

**UPDATES HERE -check back in NOVEMBER** Howdy Doo-Dah everyone! Are you ready for a fun parade this Fall? Get ready for the return of the historic Doo-Dah parade in Pasadena, CA. Save the date, **Sunday, November 22**. The 44th++ annual DooDah parade is back! Kick off begins at 11:00 am, but as with most parades, you need to arrive early and find a spot. It's easy to get there via Metro, walking, or park in the public parking lots for a fee. Please note that there will be some street closures so check the parade website for parking info/getting there. What is this Doo Dah Parade? Here's the link: [About — Pasadena DooDah Parade](https://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info/about) **Meetup spot** \- on the sidewalk near the Apple Store on Colorado\. **Meetup Time:** Parade starts at 11, but to obtain a good spot for all of us, best to arrive earlier. **Cost:** FREE!!!! **Bring**: **TORTILLAS -**(not kidding, bring them for the tortilla toss), Kazoos if u have any, chairs, or you can stand, or sit on the curb; water, sunblock, dinero $$ **GETTING THERE**: Walk, Metro (Memorial Park Metro Station), whatever you are comfortable with ( see the parade link below) **Parade Website**: https://pasadenadoodahparade.info/ **LUNCH OPTION**: After the parade - option to walk to Congregation Ale House for lunch. **How to find me (Maya)** \- I'll be wearing a Santa Hat \( I'll post a pic in November \) **LASTLY**: Please check back again in November for updates. **LIABILITY**: The organizer/host is an unpaid and untrained volunteer. By joining this event each member and their guest(s) accepts full responsibility for knowing their limits, for any and all injuries, health issues, material losses, assessing all risks and for getting lost. Each member shall make their guests aware of these policies and releases the host from all liability.

Paso Robles Placeholder Dec 19

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Veteran’s Day Arroyo Seco Splash and Dash (Pasadena)

Hollywood Hills Hike

No Hike Today

Hey all! I am taking a couple of weeks off! We will be back to our regular hiking trails on Sunday Nov. 22nd. Until then, stay safe and I'll see you on the trails! Cynthia

Griffith Park 9 Peaks (Moderate Pace)

Organizer: Mike Cheng Location: Griffith Park, CA Hike Difficulty: Advanced, Level 7/10 Distance: 11.5 miles Elevation Gain: 3000' Time: 7 hours Trail condition: Single file, rocky trail, no shaded Water: Minimum 3 liters Guest: no Dog: no Toilette: at the trail head Parking: Parking lot *** What to bring: hat, sunscreen, hiking poles, energy bar, lunch, snacks, water, and the usual stuff. Trail description: We will be hiking on single-file trails and fire roads. The trail leading up to Beacon Hill is steep. It has a 25-35% grade. The trail to Mt. Bell and Mt. Chapel are very steep. It has a 35-45% grade. In addition, the trail has a base of loose rock and sand. It is slippery. you will need to use hiking poles here. The trail leading up to Cahuenga Peak is rocky and steep. Its grade is 30-40%. Our Policy: Profile photo: Anyone interested in joining this event must have a profile photo showing his/her face. This is a requirement of L.A. Hiking. Without it, you will not be allowed to sign up for an event. Waiting list priority: People who hike with with L.A. Hiking regularly will be given priority when they are on the waiting list. Advanced hikes: Anyone interested in participating in advanced hikes (>3,000' elevation gain or distance > 10 miles or Difficulty Level > = 7) will be subject to prescreening before his/her name will be added to the list. Therefore, interested hiker must share with the event host his/her recent hiking background to establish proficiency before his/her name will be added to the list. Guests are not allowed on advanced hikes. Early departure: If a hiker needs to be separated from the group for any reason, he/she must inform the event host. Not knowing a hiker's where about may prompt the event host to report a hiker's missing to proper authority for further actions. No show: If you sign up for an event but did not show up, you will be removed from the next event you sign up. No minor: Meetup user agreement and our liability waiver can not be agreed to by a minor. Therefore, you and your guest must be over 18 to participate in our events. No drug: Zero tolerance for all illegal drug use. Warning: If you have prior medical condition or a family history of illnesses pertaining to heart, lungs, brain, etc. that can be aggravated by heat and physical exertion, this is not the hike for you. If you have never done a hike of this distance or difficulty before, this hike will be very difficult for you. It may well be your death march. The mountain is not going anywhere. We will schedule this event again in the future. Do it when your mind and body are ready. Hiking is a recreation, not a suicide mission. Release of Liability: The organizer (me) of this trip is a volunteer and is not a professional guide. The function of the organizer is only to organize this trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/hike/or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for this trip, or any other event organized by me, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the organizer (me) of this hike from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. L.A. Hiking, its organizer, assistant organizers, event organizers are not responsible for any injuries or accidents that may occur carpooling to and from this event, or for any injuries or accidents incurred before, during, and after this event. If you sign up or participate in an event you acknowledge that you freely and voluntarily agree to assume all risks of injuries and damages arising from, as a result of and associated with this event.