Name: Echo Mountain 261 - May Day is Lei Day
Start: 2013-05-01T18:00:00-07:00
End: 2013-05-01T21:00:00-07:00
Location: Cobb Estate

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/e/3/c/event_228375932.jpegJoin Southern California's best Wednesday night hike! We proudly boast over 5 years of a traditional Wednesday night hike up to Echo Mountain missing only a few days when circumstances would not permit a safe and pleasant hike. Many people have ventured up to join the "Happy Hour potluck" from this Meetup and from Early Bird Hiking.

Please R.S.V.P if you believe you will be joining this hike and post what time you are planning to start - it encourages others to join. Seeing as we do not meet as a group at the beginning of the hike - it is best to try to find others who can hike up at the same time so no one hikes alone. Hikers usually head back down in two or three different groups anywhere between about 8 and 9PM(some a little earlier).

May 1st is Lei Day in Hawaii - Let's celebrate this Hawaiian tradition by bringing your favorite lei and think "Hawaii" when bringing your food or beverage.

Newcomers - please read "First Timers" and "What to bring" sections below so you don't wind up on the wrong trail or be left in the dark. We do not gather and hike up as a group due to different hiking abilities and arrival times. Many people post their anticipated start time making it easy to form smaller groups for the trip up. You can use this website to communicate.

The Sun will set at 7:37PM with about another 25 minutes of twilight. Hikers go up at different times, depending on when they can get to the trailhead. There will not be any visible Moon tonight. Evening temperatures can still get fairly cool after the Sun sets - many folks bring a dry top to change into for comfort and maybe a light jacket.

The Hike: We follow the (lower)Sam Merrill Trail up the East wall of Las Flores Canyon to Echo Mountain and ruins of the former White City. This is a moderate hike of about 2.6 miles up with about a 1400 ft. elevation gain and 2.6 miles down on a very well maintained trail. This is not a hike for beginners. We do this hike every week weather permitting and it just keeps getting better. People start out at different times between about 5:30 and 6:30 (some even start earlier). Average time up is about 1 hour to 1-1/4 hours (slower hikers may take 90 minutes - almost everyone makes it back down in about an hour)This is a "go at your own pace hike" so almost anyone with some hiking experience can make it. Post your anticipated time to start - this gives people the opportunity to form groups to hike up together. Most people bring up something to share such as a bottle of wine, cheese, deli meats, fruit, beer,etc. etc. You couldn't meet a nicer group of people, so if its friends that you are looking for, this hike is it! The warm, friendly party atmosphere at the top has become a highlight to a lot of our work weeks, so if you are into great company, food, drinks, historic hotel ruins and fantastic views than come on up, you will love it.!!!!

First timers: You may locate the trailhead on Google Maps by entering 3388 Lake Ave. Altadena, Ca 91001. If you are not hiking with someone who is familiar with the trail, please read this carefully. As you reach the top of the paved road where it turns, DO NOT TURN - there is a sign that says "Trail" with an arrow pointing to the right - follow this and you will pass a water fountain on your left. Continue to the edge of the canyon and take the trail to the left - DO NOT descend into the canyon here - follow the trail around the edge of the canyon, descending behind the debris dam and up the far side following the trail to the left. As you ascend, you want to be able to look across Los Flores Canyon towards where the sun set (or is setting). You are about 1/2 way as you pass under the power towers. When you reach the junction after about 2.5 miles, go to the right - slightly downhill a few hundred feet to the Echo Mountain House ruins.

What to bring: Out of concern for the environment, please bring a reusable cup or non-breakable glass for your beverage, good hiking shoes, water, maybe a wind breaker or similar(some folks bring something dry to change into) - it is best to layer. Also, something to share for the pot luck, and a HEADLIGHT OR FLASHLIGHT for hike down, even when there is moonlight, there are areas of the trail that are in the shadows. In windy conditions, we gather at the "picnic grounds" on the left side of the trail just before the Echo Mountain House ruins.

Directions: Take the 210 fwy towards Pasadena, get off on Lake Ave., go North until Lake Ave. ends. On the right side where it ends is the gate to the former Cobb Estate and the road leading to the trail head. The best parking is when you turn left at the end of Lake onto Loma Alta Dr. Park on Loma Alta as the unrestricted parking is to 10 PM You will get a ticket on Lake parking is only until 8pm. Parking off Loma Alta on Monterosa or Marengo is unrestricted.

Post what time you'd like to go up and form your own groups. Everyone be safe and try to hike with someone.

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. 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 guest's participation in the group activities.

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Echo Mountain 261 - May Day is Lei Day

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