Beginner Hiking Los Angeles

Backpacking: Kings Canyon

**Multiple Day backpacking trip. Only experienced people should join. This is a serious trip and not anything like a day hike.** **If interested please contact me for further details, including how to obtain a wilderness permit.**

Griffith Park Beginner Hike @ Merry Go Round Lot

This will be a beginner hike with no more than 630 ft in total ascent. **It's a semi hilly 5-mile hike**. This hike is @ 120 minutes. This hike will be a loop. Which will take us to the Mineral Wells Picnic Area, The Condor Trail and onto the Skyline Trail. This hike will take us behind the current LA Zoo (if we're lucky we might see an escaped monkey) to the Autry Museum and back to the parking Lot **NO ANIMALS ALLOWED ON HIKE** 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. Where to meet: If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, adjacent to the first entrance into lot #2. IF YOU ARE BY THE STAIRCASE YOU ARE IN WRONG SPOT. WE DO NOT MEET BY THE STAIRCASE. We meet directly opposite of the staircase on the other side of the lot Put these coordinates in google maps for the exact spot that we meet: 34.133525,-118.284731 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 Sports Chalet) 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. 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, but there should be a sign in the median stating the Merry Go Round is to the right. Make a right hand 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. 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: See above. If you know the park well, it is Merry Go Round Lot #2, next to the first entrance into lot #2. WE DO NOT MEET BY THE STAIRCASE. We meet directly opposite of the staircase on the other side of the lot http://angeles.sierraclub.org/griffith/griffith_park_map.html http://files.meetup.com/262967/PL#2.jpg Put these coordinates in google maps for exact directions from your location: 34.133525,-118.284731

Griffith Park hike (strenuous)

This is a fast paced, adventurous weekday hike for experienced hikers. This is not a beginner hike. Expect steep climbs, rugged terrain, hidden trails, occasional bushwhacking, and some rock scrambling (using your hands occasionally on rocky or steep terrain). This is not a typical park hike. What to bring - a liter of water - grippy hiking shoes - pants and a long sleeve shirt are recommended 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.

Conditioning hike (Strenuous) Griffith park

NOT A BEGINNER HIKE! – (STRENOUS ACTIVITY) Griffith park hike.. Meetup location: North End of Parking lot 2 by the stairs. Are you looking to do a great and fun workout during the week? Would you like to become a better and stronger hiker? Then join us for an awesome workout at Griffith Park. This is a fast-paced hike. We take single track trails as we ascend to our destination – gaining over 1200 ft of elevation gain—and we descend using a combination of single track and fire roads. Attendees must be willing to exert themselves and try their best as we take short breaks and try to be within the group’s pace. This hike is great for conditioning training for long hike weekend adventures. Stats: 📈 Difficulty: Strenuous. Distance: 4-6 miles. Elevation gain: 1200 ft. Duration: 2 hours. Please be aware that Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers and 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 of Los Angeles Hiking Meetup Group 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

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.

Beaudry Loop - Early Evening Hike - 6 miles - 1500' gain

Mt Thom via Brand Library (Strenuous)

Sierra Club Griffith Park Tuesday Evening Hikes

**Please come early (\~6:40pm on) to sign the required waiver form ("participation agreement") and get your *new PINK waiver card*, good until the end of 2026.** Come and enjoy a great evening of hiking and conversation with fellow hikers. These conditioning hikes range in level from fairly easy (level 1) through moderate (levels 2 and 3) to advanced hikes (levels 4, 5, and 6). All levels have hills; terrain is sometimes steep with uneven footing. Because hikers are expected to maintain the pace set by hike leaders, newcomers should not hike above level 3 and may wish to start at level 2. >>>**On Tuesday & Thursday evenings, we offer \*simultaneous\* hikes at a variety of levels.** **While some levels may not be offered on a given evening, we try to cover a range of levels.**<<< Hikes are led by trained leaders and last approximately 2 hrs. Hikes begin at 7pm; newcomers should get there early to fill out a waiver and should carry the waiver card with them on the hikes. There are usually 30-60 people at the hikes. **What to bring:** Bring water and a light jacket in case it gets cold. Hiking boots/shoes or other shoes with good traction are necessary for the harder hikes (levels 3-5) and are strongly encouraged for all hikes; tennis shoes with good tread may be sufficient for the more moderate hikes (levels 1 & 2). Flashlights are optional; many leaders discourage their use except in emergencies. If flashlights are used, red lights are preferable as they interfere less with night vision. Please, no radios or other sound-producing devices that others can hear. If earbuds are used, please leave one out to maintain awareness of surroundings. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are at the discretion of the leader. This is a front country outing. **Covid Considerations:** Note that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people may be present; everyone is encouraged to keep their distance and respect each others' need to do so. Masks are optional. Please do not attend if you are ill or have reason to think you might have Covid. **If you test positive for Covid within 3 days of a hike, please let us know through Meetup or by emailing GPNighthikes at gmail dot com.** Check the weather [https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/griffith-park/90027/hourly-weather-forecast/2626762](https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/griffith-park/90027/hourly-weather-forecast/2626762) **Directions** to Merry-Go-Round Lot #2 (also known as the Upper Merry-Go-Round parking lot): From Los Feliz Blvd just west of the 5, take Crystal Springs north into the park; you’ll soon pass a freeway onramp. After around a mile, you’ll come to a 4-way intersection, with the Ranger station on your right. Make a left (going west). At the top of the road you’re forced to turn right into the (unlit) lot #1. Drive through the lot and along the road that leaves the opposite corner. You’ll soon come to lot #2, which is lit. The Sierra Club meets at the far (north) end of the lot, by the stone steps. Going north on the 5 from Downtown LA, you can also get off at the Griffith Park exit and take Crystal Springs going north, following the directions above. Other routes go from near the Zoo or from Travel Town. You can get directions from this link: [https://goo.gl/q7QTtb ](https://goo.gl/q7QTtb).

Urban Hike with Stairs, Mt. Washington Level Moderate +

Join us at 6:00 pm for a fast-paced **MODERATE + LEVE**L urban hike in Mt. Washington. We will climb 3 staircases UP (option to skip one). We will also hike through Elyria Canyon Park, walk down Mt Washington Drive, followed by a short climb up Kite Hill to enjoy beautiful views of both DTLA skyline and the mountains. **POST HIKE BURGER Option:** After the hike, those interested can walk down to For the Win where you can get a burger starting at $5.00. Other food and refreshments available at Cypress Liquor and Golden Poppy Market. Outdoor seating available. See pics. **TIPS/NOTES:** Some of the streets have no sidewalks, so we will walk on the street. When a car approaches, we yell out CAR! That is our safety cue for EVERYONE to move to the side of the road and walk SINGLE FILE so that the car can pass through. **LEVEL**: Moderate + for fast pace, steep hills and long staircases. Our pace is fast, to the point where some of us (me) are out of breath and can't chat (me). We have to keep the pace in order to finish by the posted end time. We will pause briefly at top of hills and stairs to regroup, drink water, and to pet doggies. --This is not a beginner hike. If you find that you are not able to keep up with the group, you will have to take detours or hike on your own. We keep a certain pace so that we can finish by the time posted. There is no "sweep" or volunteer, to accompany or stay behind with folks who get separated. **LENGTH**: between 5-5.5 miles, appx 2-2.25 hours. **BRING**: water, exercise clothes, workout shoes with good grip and tread (the majority of the hike is on asphalt and concrete. Dirt trail portion is short), flashlight, water, phone with GPS in case u leave early or get separated, bug repellant? **MEETUP SPOT**: Aragon Avenue Elementary School, 1118 Aragon, Los Angeles 90065. By the steps to the main entrance near the flagpole **MEETUP TIME:** **6:00 pm sharp**. We have quick introductions and ***leave promptly at 6:05.*** **PARKING:** Along Aragon, Loosmore, or Roseview **RESTROOMS**\-\-\- **ARRIVE EARLIER IF YOU NEED TO USE THE RESTROOMS--** King Taco and Cypress Park library, 1 block down from the school, on Cypress. Please arrive EARLY and give yourself EXTRA time if you stop there. Porta-potties are an option if we see any. **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.

Runyon Canyon Conditioning Workout hike

Dogs are welcome! This is an Intermediate/advanced hike for physical conditioning to prep for harder mountain hikes. East ridge- There is some steep downhill requiring hiking shoe tread. West ridge (reopened!) - the uphill is gradual but constant. There are a few steeper ascents. Pace is Intermediate/advanced. You can do one loop and exit or multiple. I usually do 3. Each takes about an hour.. 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

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, 5:00 p.m. Good idea to arrive around 4:45 so that we can start at 5:00 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/

Beaudry Loop evening Hike

Join me for a 6miles evening hike. Let's finish the day with clear mind so we enjoy the rest of the week days. It's been a while since our last hike around this area. Let’s hike again and enjoy the great mountains, nice views of downtown LA, beautiful sunset announcing the end of the day, and the perfect weather.
We are starting at 5:00pm at the trail head going N and come down S. (only)

What to bring:
2 liters of water, hiking poles, Hiking shoes, and a snack.
It’s 6 miles loop hike moderate pace.
Elevation: 1,500’ gain
Parking: street parking. Usually is plenty of parking. disclamer: 
Be aware that The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the event. Each person who signs up for an event is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, 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, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.