Beginner Hiking Los Angeles

Perfect weather hike

# Join us for another great adventure. **2025**. This coming Saturday the weather is going to be perfect. The meeting time is 9Am. The hike starts at the corner of Griffith Park and Cadman It is a Saturday Funday hike. Beginner friendly hike. Note that the attendees must be able to hike at least 5 miles going up hills and down. We will go to Beacon Hill optional if you want to take some rest at five points. Beacon Hill is an in and out trail. We will come back to five points and take the back trail toward the view point AKA as the helipad where we will have our famous plank challenge where we all are winners. We will snap the group picture and have a break. Then we will head to Glendale peak also optional. The ones that do not wish to go there can wait by the rangers shack we will come back that way. And dead down toward a residential neighborhood and down to the parking lot. Please note that we have a grace period of 10 to 15 minutes for announcements introductions and safety instructions. If you wish not to wait that time just show at 9:15 when we will start the hike. The hike is about 2.5 hours around 11:30 approx we will finish the hike. We want everyone to enjoy the hike and be happy about this adventure. Come and free up your mind from the big city. Enjoy the company of like minded adventures and have a nice workout all at the same time. Questions about the hike please contact me at 562 964 5660. See you all this coming Sunday the 6th. . Looking forward to see you all there next Saturday thank you **LEVEL**: this hike requires the participants to be able to hike at least 5 miles. GAIN is about 1,000 feet of elevation. **LENGTH**: the hike is approximate 4 to 5. miles. **BRING**: feel free to wear what makes you feel free and comfortable. Trail runners, hiking shoes recommended, bring your hiking poles, and be prepared to have lots and lots of fun **MEETUP SPOT**: corner of Griffith Park and Cadman . **please follow the google maps link it will take you to the right place**. Just click on the link provided. **RESTROOMS** : sure! About 10 min walk. **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, 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.

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

FRIDAY--Easy Night walk around Silverlake

Silverlake can be quite beautiful at night. Walk is mostly easy 2.2 miles RT around the lake. Walk is approx. 1 hour. There is short uphill on this walk--approx. 10 minutes Some members go to the local Oyster bar afterwards. **Rain will cancel walk. Dogs ok as long as on leash.** Parking: Street parking. There is more parking when you park along the lake --along W. Silverlake Dr.

Flat Top to Peanut Lake Hike

Come join us as we go from Flat Top in Montecito Heights to Lincoln Heights Hill Top to Peanut Lake in Deb’s Park. This is a combination of trails and street roads hike. Hiking shoes or trailer runners are recommended! About 5 miles & 900ft of elevation gain. Meeting Place Hillside Elementary School 120 E Ave 35, Los Angeles, CA 90031 Park on Ave 35 or Griffin Ave. Meeting time 6pm. Hike will start at 6:05pm

Gabrielino Trail Hike

**Park and meet at the JPL parking lot, WATCH THE VIDEO LINK below to see where we park!** A few notes: This is a group hike that ***stays together*** as we hike. We wait for people to catch up, we don't split into separate groups with one moving faster than the other. If this group doesn't move fast enough for you, please find another that suits you better. Thanks! We meet at the JPL dirt parking lot. Take the 210 east or west and get off at Windsor and head north (towards the mountains)... make your way down to the parking lot which is a very big dirt lot. Watch this video to show you exactly how to get into the parking area! **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvy4P6wHxMs** Please give yourself some extra time if this is your first time coming here. My number is 818-261-0879.

Mandeville Canyon Trail

Meet at 8:20, leave at 8:30 sharp. We will hike 6 miles with about a thousand feet of elevation. The trailhead is at the very end of Westridge Road. Dog friendly hike What to bring: Water Solid shoes A good mood

Sunday Night Hike at Griffith Park

**This is a fast-paced, intermediate+ hike on mostly single-track trails on the way up and fire roads on the way down. Some sections are overgrown, and there will be areas involving rock scrambling and uneven terrain. Long sleeves and long pants are strongly recommended for comfort and protection.** **We hike in an interval style, moving at a strong pace between regroup points and staying together as a group. Participants must be comfortable pushing hard on sustained climbs and keeping up with the group pace. If someone is not able to keep up group pace, they’ll be asked to turn back. If you have questions about whether this hike is a good fit, please ask in advance.** **Hike Details & Difficulty** **The hike will be approximately 2.5 + hours and 4+ miles, using a mix of fire roads and single-track trails.** **You should expect steep climbs (up to ~25% grade) for 10–15 minutes at a time at your maximum hiking effort, followed by short regroup breaks, repeated throughout the hike. Total cumulative elevation gain is typically +1,200 feet (routes may include Hogback, Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Lee, Taco Peak, etc.).** **Maximum effort means you should expect to be breathing hard (panting).** **What to Bring** **Plenty of water** **Hiking shoes with good grip** **Hiking poles (optional, at your discretion)** **Long-sleeve shirt (especially for overgrown sections or cooler conditions)** **Flashlights optional; red or green light only — white light diminishes night vision.** **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/**

June Hike: A Serene Summer Escape (Arroyo Seco)

Step into a serene summer escape along the trails of Arroyo Seco near Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This easy, lesser-known path winds through lush greenery and shaded canopies, offering a peaceful retreat from the summer heat. As we stroll beneath the trees, you may even catch a glimpse of gentle waterfalls—if there’s still water flowing—adding a refreshing touch to the journey. **Hike Details:** Distance: Approximately 4 to 8 miles Difficulty: Easy, with minimal elevation gain **What to Bring:** * Comfortable hiking shoes * Water * Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen A perfect opportunity to slow down, enjoy nature, and connect with others in a calm, refreshing setting. **Meeting Point:** We will meet at the Altadena Drive Trailhead (please refer to the uploaded map for the exact location). **Parking:** Parking is available near 895 W Altadena Drive, Altadena. You may also find street parking in the surrounding neighborhood—please be sure to read all posted signs and enforcement rules carefully. We will gather at the Altadena Drive Trailhead. Looking forward to seeing you there.

Zion Loop – 9 miles, 2300’ elevation gain

Mt Thom via Brand Library (Strenuous)

🥾 Steep Hike Adventure – 3.7 Miles, 1,853 ft Gain Hosted by: Miguel 📍 Location: 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale, CA 91201 📅 Date & Time: 06/18 @ 6:30pm 📏 Distance: 3.7 miles (out and back) ⛰️ Elevation Gain: 1,853 ft 🥵 Difficulty: Challenging / Steep 🔔 Event Details: Join us for a steep, scenic hike with a solid workout! This trail is short but intense, gaining over 1,800 feet in under 2 miles. You must be comfortable with steep terrain and have the right gear. Gear Checklist: ✅ Trekking poles (highly recommended) ✅ Well-treaded hiking shoes (required) 💧At least 1.5–2 liters of water 🍎 Light snacks 🧥 Layers for changing weather We'll take breaks as needed and regroup at scenic spots. 🚗 Parking Park at the Brand Library parking lot.

BASIC NATURAL NAVIGATION, AND ORIENTATION

To attend and for exact location, register [HERE](https://www.schoolofself-reliance.com/event/basic-natural-navigation-35/) What are some of the tried-and-proven methods for navigation that people have used for centuries? We’ll begin with observations of the terrain — shadows, looking at trees, moisture, feeling rocks, insect signs, etc. We’ll learn how to use the stars, the sun, the moon, for navigation, including how to read the natural terrain. These are skills that our grandparents took for granted, but as we rely more and more on technologies, we have forgotten these very basic skills. Yes, you’ll also learn the basics of how to read a map, how to use a compass, how to align the map with a compass, and ways to navigate the terrain with these tools. Since this is a two-hour lunchtime class, we will cover the most basic skills. We’ll do exercises to test your new skills. Bring a notebook. Location sent with registration $65 (Students and seniors, $45) This class can be applied towards Bushcraft Certificate

Explore Griffith Park

Please read this entire write up. This is a moderately strenuous hike. The hikes are about 2 hours long and about 4 miles, and those miles include steep ascents and descents, most often on single track trails. Some trails can be uneven and slippery. We move at a fairly rapid pace. but pause occasionally to enjoy the scenery, smell the flowers, and take pictures of the amazing views. No two hikes are the same, and we go all over the park. Please don't be late, as we aim to leave on time, 4:30 p.m. Good idea to arrive around 4:15 so that we can start at 4:30 p.m. Don't forget to bring water and wear good hiking shoes with lug soles. A note re time -- hike start times change occasionally, depending on the weather and the time of year. Please check the start time when you sign up, but an e-mail will be sent out whenever the time is changed. . Please be aware that Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers organize hikes without compensation and assume absolutely no responsibility for you or your guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and made your guests aware of the risks, dangers, and hazards associated with any outdoor activity, and you accept, and fully assume all such risks, dangers, and hazards, and further agree to release, and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Hosts from, and against any, and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. Please see the Meetup terms of service agreement http://www.meetup.com/terms/