Challenging Hikes Los Angeles

Griffith Park Hike

Griffith Park hike through Griffith Park. 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.

Los Feliz : Fall Classic Stair Hike #3 - 3.5 miles, 2 hours

Wander the Los Feliz Hills and take in spectacular views of Los Angeles. See the sights of some well known landmarks such as the Griffith Park Observatory and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House and climb 400+ stairs to condition for your upcoming winter hikes. Not only is this a classic hike but it is also during the Fall Classic that hopefully will include the Los Angeles Dodgers. There will also be the opportunity to learn about the Sierra Club’s upcoming Wilderness Travel Course. Meet 6:30PM at the Coffee Bean at Hillhurst and Ambrose (2081 Hillhurst Ave 90027). Bring water and wear good walking shoes. Flashlights/headlamps encouraged. Heavy rain cancels.

Perfect Weather Hike in Griffith Park! ☀️🙋🏻‍♀️ 🙋 🙋🏽‍♂️

Come join the Perfect Weather Hike in Griffith Park every Saturday (location or route varies). Join us on this friendly social hike, with optional plank challenge at the helipad. Followed by optional breakfast/lunch at the Village Bakery and Cafe. And if anyone wants to buy me a Vietnamese cold brew at the bakery for my birthday I will accept! 🙋🏻‍♀️ Trail Is a roughly a 4.5 mile 10,000 step loop on mostly fire roads. We’ll have views across the city to the Pacific Ocean, Griffith Observatory, downtown LA... It will be VERY HOT so bring cold water, hat, sunscreen… this weeks hike will be the original loop: Moderate hike on the main fire roads with Tiffany. Cadman trail to 5-Points, 2nd trail on the left to the Vista View point/Helipad, down past the Joe Klass water stop, and if it’s not unbearable: past the Cedar Grove, down Commonwealth to Cromwell (lower route, not past Disney estate) through neighborhood back to the cars. Those who want to take the fire road back may. Steady incline approx 700ft elevation gain in the first hour - challenging for beginners but worth it! We’ll gather at each split in the trail to make sure all are accounted for. Dog friendly 🐕. Just remember there are coyotes in the park. It may be Melissa and Bailey’s last hike as well. They are moving out of the area. Come say farewell to our unofficial mascot. Meet afterwards at Village Bakery and Cafe 3119 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 Like all meetups, hike at your own risk. You are responsible for your own well-being. Please bring water, wear sunscreen and proper shoes. Facebook group https://m.facebook.com/groups/1608982546701615/?ref=share&mibextid=S66gvF Meeting point is in a residential neighborhood with street parking. There is NO restroom on this hike. The nearest is at the Griffith park Southern Railway by the Griffith Park Cafe on Crystal Springs Drive. If you arrive early, It’s a 15 minute roundtrip walk to the restroom. Hike will be cancelled in the event of rain and soggy trails or severe heat advisories.

sunday night hike

**TIME CHANGED TO 5PM DUE TO HEAT** **⚠️ PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE HIKE DESCRIPTION BEFORE SIGNING UP ⚠️** **🥾 Intermediate+ Conditioning Hike** **This is a strenuous hike for strong, experienced hikers. It is not a beginner hike, a casual social walk, or a good choice for anyone currently rebuilding fitness. Participants should be comfortable with steep climbs, sustained uphill efforts, and maintaining a brisk pace on rugged terrain.** **🥾 Adventure • Exploration • Challenge** **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.** **🥾 Hike Details** **• 4+ miles** **• 1,200+ feet of elevation gain** **• 2.5–3 hours** **• Steep grades up to 40%** **• Fire roads, single-track trails, and occasional scrambling** **💧 What to Bring** **• At least 2 liters of water** **• Grippy hiking shoes** **• Long sleeves and long pants recommended** **• Hiking poles optional** **• Snacks** **🍜 🌮🍔A few of us may grab dinner after the hike at a nearby restaurant. Anyone interested is welcome to join us.** **If you're unsure whether this hike is a good fit, please contact me before signing up.** **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/**

Hike on the PCT to Winston Peak (informational post)

**TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, you must register on the Sierra Club website:** https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001tC08vIAC . This Meetup post is for information only -- signing up here does not guarantee you a place on this hike! Join us on Saturday 10/3 for this moderate hike to bouldery Winston Peak (7470'). Starting from Camp Glenwood, we'll proceed on the Pacific Crest TraiI to Cloudburst Summit and then up to the peak, where we'll enjoy views of the desert to our north, and Mount Baldy in the southeast. Stats for the day will be 8 miles round trip with 1500' elevation gain. Full details and registration here: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001tC08vIAC . We hope to see you there! (Photo by Nick Shah)

Eagle Rock: Fall Classic Stair Hike #2 - 6.5 miles, 2.5 hours

We return to a familiar neighborhood for a morning doubleheader! Start with a gentle walk through a little-known section of a little-known corner of NELA, rife with solid local architecture and one street that is so steep the sidewalk has stairs! Then we immediately go on a green, leafy walk through one of Pasadena's western-most neighborhoods, filled with charming stairways and a virtual arboretum of mixed tree varieties. You can ponder the Dodgers record-tying 14th consecutive post-season appearance as you hike 1,300 stairs. During a timeout we'll talk about the upcoming Wilderness Travel Course to get you ready for outdoor adventures. Meet at 9:30am in front of the old-timey Cindy's Restaurant, Colorado Boulevard and Townsend Avenue (1500 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041). Street parking is limited so arrive early and be prepared to sign the required Sierra Club waiver. Bring water and wear good walking shoes. Heavy rain cancels.

Halloween 2026 Night Hike #2 (Oct/17)

Note: We have three Halloween night hikes on the calendar this year. Locations are different, but the content I present will be more or less the same. If the attendance list is full for your preferred night, please join the wait-list. I'm almost always able to accommodate everyone as the weekend approaches. **Overview:** Spooky season is upon us so let's celebrate all of the creepy-crawlies and things that go bump in the night with an hike in Whittier Narrows Recreation Park. This event will be part hiking and part "ghost stories". The hike will start while it's still a bit light, giving us the opportunity to see the diurnal animals settle down for the evening, and the nocturnal animals begin to stir. We'll pay special attention to any silhouettes in the treetops, and listening for call from owls, coyotes, frogs, and insects. After returning to our meeting spot, we'll sit around a faux campfire and share tales of spookiness we've encountered while out hiking. Please bring a blanket or chair in case we don't have enough picnic tables. Feel free to bring refreshments, and if you brink enough to share, even better! And if you like, please come in costume as long as it doesn't interfere with easy hiking. I'm classifying this hike as beginner. Total distance is about three miles, with little elevation gain. Here are a few of the topics we'll be learning about: \- Natural history of the area \- Lunar cycle \- Evolution of fear \- Adaptations of nocturnal animals \- Why a lot of humans are scared of the dark \- Why sounds seem different at night \- Ghost stories and hauntings of the area I've capped attendance for this event, so, if full, please join the waitlist and I'll try to accommodate as the event gets closer. **Location:** Whittier Narrows Recreation Park in South El Monte, CA **Starting point:** Parking Lot of Area D. Look for the SoCal Sciences Hikes banner, and the guy with long hair, beard, and cowboy hat. **Distance:** Approximately 3 miles **Duration:** About 3 hours **Elevation gain:** minimal **Terrain:** Dirt trails, rocky washes **Difficulty:** Advanced Beginner **Age:** 18 and older. Contact me to discuss exceptions. **Pets:** No pets allowed **Recommended gear:** \- Footwear suitable for dirt paths and rocky washes \- Clothing suitable for the weather \- Water \- Snacks \(if desired\) \- Binoculars\, monocular\, or spotting scope \- Journal or notebook if you're into that sort of thing \- Sun protection \- Headlamp or flashlight **Cost:** This event is free, but if you enjoy your time and learn something, tips/donations are graciously accepted in person or at buymeacoffee.com/codycolborn **No Show Policy:** In order to host as many people as possible, we keep track of no shows. After two no shows, you will be placed on the waitlist when signing up for a new event, and moved to the "going" list if space is available the night before the event. **Questions:** If you have any questions, please message me through Meetup or text 424-244-0334.

Bishop, La Loma & Palo Verde Trail Hike

The LA dodgers will be on their way to losing the NLDS on this day. So we have the area to explore. Most of the route is on the Portola Trail, a dirt trail, than our previous hike. The trail is flat but we will be high up. Yes, the address is correct! This is different meeting spot than the last hike. Come join us as we hike where the communities of Bishop, Palo Verde & La Loma once thrived. Then the land was stolen by the city of Los Angeles to build a ballpark for a team stolen from Brooklyn! We will start in Elysian Park. Then we will get some great view of DTLQ, Cypress Park, Mt Washington, Elephant Hill and the San Gabriel Mountains, on a trail above the 5 freeway! The Angels Point. About 5 miles & nearly 600ft of elevation gain. There is about 3 miles of dirt trail on this route. Regular athletic shoes are fine. Meeting Place 929 Academy Rd Los Angeles, CA 90012 There is plenty of free unlimited parking on Academy Rd. Do not park in the parking lot.

Urban Stair Hike in Echo Park, Level: Moderate++

Come join us for a challenging workout, for exploring interesting neighborhoods and for meeting new people! We'll do an urban stair hike in the hilliest, residential part of Echo Park going through the cutest narrow streets, the steepest hills and hidden staircases. We will be awarded gorgeous views of multiple parts of LA. **LEVEL**: Intermediate Plus for speed. Extra PLUS for the amount of stairs/steep hills we will be climbing. We are a friendly group that loves to socialize and encourage newcomers, but please note that moderate++ level of cardio fitness and brisk walking speed are required. **LENGTH**: 4.9 miles, 1350 ft gain, (which as a stair hike may be tougher than it sounds) 10 long staircases up, 6 down + steep hills. Baxter alone is 232 steps! +/- 2h. **SPEED**: Above moderate hikes, but below advanced. We'll take a short pause to re-group at the top of the stairs and the steepest hills, but hikers are expected to keep up in the easy parts of the hike. There will be no sweep, bring a phone for navigation just in case you want to leave early. **BRING**: Exercise outfit, workout shoes (hiking shoes are not necessary as trail sections are short), flashlight (any color), if you have one and water. **LOCATION**: We'll meet at 6pm for introductions and take off sharply at 6.05pm. We meet at the street corner of Echo Park Ave. and Baxter St. (If you are running up to 15min minutes late meet us at the corner of Lemoyne St. and Cerro Gordo St.) **-DO NOT FULLY TRUST THE GPS LINK. DEPENDING ON YOUR PHONE AND APP IT MAY BE SLIGHTLY OFF!** **-TAKE ECHO PARK AVE. INTO THE MEETING AREA TO AVOID SCARY HILL DRIVING!** **PARKING**: Street parking. If we fill up the spots right at the intersection you can go behind the school and find easy parking on Valentine St. **RESTROOMS**: None, (possibly port-a-potties on the way) **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.

Sierra Club Griffith Park Thursday Evening Hikes

**If you don't already have a current waiver card please come early (\~6:40pm on) to sign the required waiver form ("participation agreement") and get your *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 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 5 days after 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 **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) .

Sierra Club Griffith Park Tuesday Evening Hikes

**If you don't have a current waiver card, please come early (\~6:40pm on) to sign the required waiver form ("participation agreement") and get your *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. **Contagious disease 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. Please do not attend if you are ill or have reason to think you might have a contagious disease. **If you test positive for a contagious disease 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).

Trail Work on Echo Mountain