Challenging Hikes Los Angeles

Sunday Afternoon Hike At Griffith Park

**⏰ NEW START TIME: 2:00 PM!** **Intermediate++ / Advanced Conditioning hike** **Join us for a challenging but fun Sunday afternoon hike in Griffith Park. Expect steep climbs, rugged trails, great views, and sometimes exploratory sections or light rock scrambling.** **This hike is best for** **experienced hikers who are comfortable with sustained uphill climbs, steep grades, uneven terrain, and a brisk pace. Typical hikes are about** **4–6 miles with 1,200–2,000 feet of elevation gain** **and usually take around 3** **hours.** **Please come prepared with:** * **At least** **2 liters of water** * **Hiking shoes with good traction** * **Sun protection** * **Long pants or long sleeves when appropriate** * **Trekking poles if you use them** **We will keep a steady pace and stay together as a group. Please make sure the distance, elevation gain, terrain, and pace are a good match for your current fitness level before signing up.** **These hikes are meant to be a strong workout, but also a chance to explore, enjoy the views, and have fun with a great group of hikers. 🥾🌄** **Arrival & RSVP** **Please arrive 10–15 minutes early. We leave exactly on time.** **If you cannot attend, please update your RSVP.** **Directions** **Take the Los Feliz / Crystal Springs entrance off the I-5 freeway.** **Go north on Crystal Springs Drive into the park. At the second stop sign, turn left at the four-way intersection (ranger station on your right). Continue briefly, then turn right into Merry-Go-Round Lot #1. Drive through Lot #1 and continue to Lot #2.** **We meet at the north end of Parking Lot #2 by the steps.** **Liability Notice** **Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers and organize hikes without compensation and assume no responsibility for participants or guests. By signing up, you acknowledge the risks associated with outdoor activities and agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Hosts of the Los Angeles Hiking & Fitness Meetup Group from any liability arising from participation.** **Please see Meetup’s Terms of Service: https://www.meetup.com/terms/job**

Hollywood Hills Hike

Fall Nature Hike

Come see the seasonal changes of the Preserve and identify plants by observing their leaves. We will hike a three mile loop, with uphill and downhill terrain. All hiking levels welcome. Let’s identify plants and animals together! Please come prepared with sturdy, closed toed shoes, sun protection and water!

Griffith Park Hike

Griffith Park hike through Griffith Park. Need minimum of 9 signed up We will go under 5 miles with some inclines through Griffith Park. Rain postpones. Date can changed depending if there is a concert. Bring sneakers & water.

Thanksgiving Day Stair Hike in Franklin Hills/Silver Lake, Level: Moderate++

Let's start the holiday with a challenging work out to earn the indulgencies later in the day and do a beautiful urban stair hike in Franklin Hills/Silver Lake. This is one of our favorite repeat routes. We will meet in Franklin Hills and go counter clockwise this time. We'll work our way through numerous hidden staircases to a charming part of Silver Lake, drop down to the reservoir, and finally finish off by conquering the Prospect triple staircase. **LEVEL**: The inclines are intermediate++ (people not used to stairs may find the hike harder than it sounds). Intermediate Plus for speed and length. We are a friendly group that loves to socialize and encourage newcomers to join, but please note that moderate ++ cardio fitness and brisk walking speed are required. **LENGTH**: 5.5 miles, 13 long staircases up and 5 down + steep hills. The elevation gain is 1400 ft., which is at the higher end for stair hikes. 2h-2 1/4h. **SPEED**: Brisk, faster than moderate hikes, but still below advanced. We'll take a short pause to re-group at the top of the stairs and the steepest hills. There will be no sweep; bring a phone for navigation just in case you want to leave early. **BRING**: Exercise outfit, workout shoes (no hiking shoes needed) and water. Sunscreen? **RESTROOMS**: None; go before you arrive! **MEETING POINT**: We meet at the corner of Myra Ave. and Cumberland Ave. where we have free, unlimited street parking. We meet at 9am for introductions and take off sharply at 9.05am. **ALERT!!! DEPENDING ON YOUR PHONE AND APP THE GPS LINK MAY BE SLIGHTLY OFF. Check the street names on a map before parking.** (LATECOMERS: If you are running a few minutes late meet us at the corner of (TO BE FILLED IN LATER)) **LIABILITY**: The organizer is an uncompensated and untrained volunteer. By joining this event each member accepts full responsibility for knowing their limits, for all injuries, medical issues, assessing safety concerns, material losses and for getting lost. Each member shall release the organizer from all liability and have their guests accept these policies, also.

Flat Top to Paradise Hill to Peanut Lake Hike

Join us, as we hike to Lincoln Heights, El Serreno and Montecito Heights! We will go to Flat Top,Lincoln Heights Hill Top View, Paradise Hill, and finally to Peanut Lake in Deb’s Park! There will be some great views of downtown LA! The most challenging part of this hike is going up the very steep Telluride street! If you came to my Secret Gem Stairhike back in April, and remember the animals while we were on Paradise Hill. I am trying to get the owner to bring the animals back to Paradise Hill for this hike. Hiking shoes or trail runners are recommended. But regular running shoes should be fine. About 6 miles and 1150 ft of elevation game. If there is a waitlist, and you no-show to one of my past events, you will be removed, to allow somebody else to go on the hike. Meeting place - Hillside Elementary School 120 E Avenue 35 Los Angeles CA 90031 United States Parking- free street parking on Avenue 35 and Griffin. The parking restriction signs do not apply on the day of the hike! Start time – 9:30 AM after introductions. The hike will start at 9:35 AM.

Griffith Park Hike to Cedar Grove

This hike is 4.6 miles/1224 ft ascent is known to the regulars as the "backyard hike" and it is NOT a Beginner Hike. Most of the elevation gain is in a short period of time. The trail on the steep ascent is hard to find, so a little bit of adventure is required for this hike. This hike is 120 minutes and NO ANIMALS ALLOWED 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 The fine print: Wildlife (snakes, bobcats, mountain lions etc) seen in the park, be aware of your surroundings and stay alert at all times. 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 tic spray (available at REI) are recommended. No bright (white) flashlights. 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. We do start 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. 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 dark road (it's lit if it's 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, where the driveway to the lower part of the lot is. It's close to the "No Practice Driving Allowed" sign is. Where to meet: If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, just at the path to the lower lot. (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/griffith/griffith_park_map.html) If you'd like a visual, here is a map. (http://angeles.sierraclub.org/griffith/griffith_park_map.html) CLICK (http://files.meetup.com/262967/PL#2.jpg) for Visual Map of Driving Directions from Ranger Station Put these coordinates in google maps for exact directions from your location: 34.133525,-118.284731

Back to Beaudry

The weather looks favorable for this hike as the temps look to ease up a bit. For those who haven't done the hike, its a moderately strenuous hike about 6 miles long with 1,500' of elevation gain. Its a nice bang for the buck workout that is relatively quick, with nice views and varied terrain. There is plenty of street parking, and we have a 10 minute grace time before we hit the trail. We will take a moderate pace, and take our break at Tongva Peak, there is no designated trail sweep so if you can't keep up with the group, you may need to hike out on your own. Because of the elevation gain, this is not a beginner hike. Disclaimer: Event organizer is an un-paid volunteer, by joining this event you accept full responsibility for your own safety and are aware of your physical abilities.

Runyon Canyon Conditioning Workout hike

This is an Intermediate/advanced hike for physical conditioning to prep for harder mountain hikes. There is some steep downhill requiring hiking shoe tread. The uphill is gradual but constant. Pace is Intermediate/advanced. You can do one loop and exit or multiple. I usually do 3. Each takes about 50 minutes. I normally arrive at 8:55am. We will leave at 9 am sharp. MEETING PLACE : I will be right inside the green iron gate near the water fountain just off Mulholland Parking : parking lot near entrance gate. More parking on Mulholland but pay attention to signs. RAIN CANCELS This is a loop I do weekly. Each loop is approximately 2 miles/50 minutes. You can do as few or as many as you want. We'll go down the fire road to East ridge then come up West ridge fire road. I usually do 3 laps. You can exit at the Mulholland gate after any lap. 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. Read less

Beaudry Loop - Night hike, ~ 6 miles w 1,400+ elevation gain

Black Friday Urban Hike - Elysian Heights with lots of stairs

This day-after-Thanksgiving walk is a tough trek, covering 16 stairways, 15 up (including Avalon, Baxter, Cove and 5 others of over 100 steps) and 1 down in the hilly Elysian Heights neighborhood of Echo Park. We will also go up and down lots of steep streets, including Baxter and Fargo Streets, among the steepest streets in the country. At the end, we will walk past the famous folk art of Randyland. * **Level**: Advanced * **Speed:** Steady, about 2.5 miles per hour * **Distance**: 7 miles * **Elevation gain:** \~2000 feet * **Duration:** 3-3.5 hours * **Bathrooms:** We will take a break at the Lady Byrd Cafe about 1/3 of the way through the walk. There should be construction port-a-potties along the way as well. **Parking:** free parking on the streets near the starting point. Street cleaning restrictions are not enforced on the day after Thanksgiving. * **Rain:** postpones the hike **Liability**: The organizer is an unpaid and untrained volunteer and is not liable for any loss, damage, or injuries sustained by participants and their guests. By joining this event, each member and their guest accepts full responsibility for knowing their abilities and limitations and releases the host/organizer from any and all injuries, health issues, material losses and getting lost. Each member shall make their guests aware of these policies and release the host from all liability.

Trail Maintenance on Echo Mtn.