Name: Monday evenings at Chantry Flat -- Memorial Day edition
Start: 2012-05-28T17:00:00-07:00
End: 2012-05-28T20:00:00-07:00
Location: Chantry Flat

Please read: This is the Memorial Day edition of our weekly Monday evening outing, a happy mixture of fun, food, friends and a fine trail. Because it's Memorial Day, Chantry Flat parking will be hideous all day long. However, by the time we arrive, nearly everyone will be leaving, so with a little persistence, you should be able to find a close parking space. The hike leaves right on time, so you need to get there at least 10 minutes early this week in order to find parking and get to the trailhead. We set a moderate pace, but if you get there late, you can try to catch up to us during our mid-way break at Hoegee Campground.

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Hoegee Loop is a beautiful, lush, fairly easy loop hike from Chantry Flat in the San Gabriel Mountains above Arcadia. The trail features a gentle flowing stream with numerous easy rock-hop crossings, historical cabins and campgrounds, and a high-on-the-ridge final descent with sweeping views of nearby peaks and the LA valley below.

This is a low-intermediate hike of 5 miles and about 1,100 feet of elevation gain. From the parking lot, we'll head down a paved road for about a half mile, then turn left and go up Lower Winter Creek trail to Hoegee Campground, where we'll stop for a break amid the pines. Then we'll continue upstream a short distance to catch Upper Winter Creek trail and take it back down to the parking lot.

Chantry Flat parking requires an adventure pass. It's $5 for the day or $30 for the year, good at all LA-area National Forest sites. Passes can be purchased at many sporting goods stores, or online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/vendors.php . Passes are sometimes available at Chantry Flat, but it's best to get one in advance. Be on time -- we'll hit the trail at 5:01 SHARP. Meet in the lowest part of the bottom parking lot, at the gate to the paved road (http://files.meetup.com/1560301/chantry%20flat%20meeting%20spot.png) that leads to the trails.

Because we need to set a reasonable pace, please sign up for this hike only if you have at least a little hiking experience, or a reasonable fitness level from other aerobic activities. Tim generally completes this loop in under two hours when he is by himself. We'll slow it down and aim for 2.5 hours, but it's still a good workout at that pace. Five miles, 1,100 feet of vertical. If you're not sure about your ability, consider first coming on one of Early Bird Hiking's weekend hikes, when we're not pressed for time. They schedule beginner events fairly regularly. Or try a Happy Hour Backpacking hike labled "easy" or "low intermediate".

Friendly, socialized dogs are very welcome on this hike. Officially they must be on leash, and certainly that's true at the beginning and end, near the ranger station.

Liability: 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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Monday evenings at Chantry Flat -- Memorial Day edition

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