Henninger Flats

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For those of you who haven’t done this before, you’re in for a treat. This is entirely on a wide fire road, which will allow us to easily walk side by side and gab about life, kids, prison, etc. This is a good hike for those of you who are still beginners but want to take on a more challenging hike.

Henninger Flats was originally a “farm in the clouds” where Capt. William. K. Henninger grew fruits and vegetables. In early 1900s, the land was leased to the Forest Service and first scientific reforestation experiments were conducted. Today Henninger Flats is home to the Los Angeles County Experimental Forestry Nursery, where the Los Angeles County Fire Department grows seedlings of pine, cypress, cedar, sequoia and other trees.

We’ll take the Old Mt. Wilson Toll Road up. It’s a moderately steep road that first opened in 1891 to haul telescope parts up to the summit of Mt. Wilson. There are spectacular views all along the way. Once at the top we’ll take a short break for a snack and to walk around the shaded picnic areas, visitor center, pioneer museum and the nursery, and perhaps pose for a shot at the lookout structure that was moved here in the ‘70s from the Santa Monica Mountains. We’ll return the way we came.

STATS

Level: Advanced Beginner

Gain: ~ 1,300

Distance: ~ 5.5 miles

Time: ~ 3 hours

Type: Out and back, fire road, entirely exposed

Dogs: Permitted on leash

Water: Not available at trailhead

Restrooms: Not at trailhead, but at Visitors Center

Parking: Free street parking, but watch signs for weekend restrictions (see below)

Bring: Hat, sunscreen, water, snacks to share at the top

The RSVP for this hike closes Friday April 8 at 10 pm, if you don't think you can make it for an 8am start up time, please be considerate to other members who might be in the waiting list and change your RSVP to "no". Thank you for your consideration.

DIRECTIONS

For GPS purposes, the address of the trailhead is 2260 Pinecrest Dr., Altadena, 91001.

From the 210 West, exit at Sierra Madre Boulevard/Altadena Drive. Turn north at Altadena Drive and follow it north for about 2.5 miles. You’ll pass the Eaton Canyon Nature Center at about 1.5 miles, but continue north for about another mile and turn right onto Crescent and start looking for parking. Pinecrest is about 200 yards after you turn onto Crescent, and the trailhead is another 200 yards.

From the 210 East, exit at San Gabriel Boulevard/San Marino. Turn north at Altadena and follow the directions above.

The trailhead is in a residential area and there is only street parking; be respectful and quiet as you park. Look carefully for signs about the weekend parking restrictions. . . there is no parking on Pinecrest, so look on neighboring streets (Crescent, Altadena, etc.) with no restrictions. We’ll meet at the large gate.

Here’s a map (http://goo.gl/maps/q2pJb).

Antonio's mobile: 818.749.2715

HEAVY RAIN FRIDAY NIGHT OR SATURDAY MORNING WILL CANCEL THIS HIKE.

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The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup or outing 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 guests' participation in the group activities.