Name: Union Station to Barnsdall Park via Elysian Park and Publilc Staircases
Start: 2011-03-06T09:00:00-08:00
End: 2011-03-06T12:00:00-08:00

I have walked segments of this hike on different occasions over the years, but never from start to finish--approximately 11.5 miles. Not for beginners. Think of this as a mountain hike, not a stroll in the park. The first mile and the last mile are flat. During the nine miles in between we will be ascending or descending often steep terrain.

Rain postpones to the following Sunday, March 13.

20 HIKERS. Put yourself on the waiting list. Priority will be given those who signed up or were on the waiting list for the original date (Feb. 27) of this hike.

We start at Union Station just east of Downtown Los Angeles, walk a little over a mile through Chinatown to Elysian Park, traverse the park from east to west via the Portola Trail and make our way through the hilly sections of Elysian Heights, Silver Lake and the Franklin Hills via 16 public staircases, with a stop for beer and bratwurst (or burgers) at the Red Lion Tavern, a German beer garden between Elysian Heights and Silver Lake.

Highlights include hiking some rarely used (and some busy) sections of the Portola Trail with spectacular views of the metropolitan area and the San Gabriel Mountains while walking through grass and trees 200 feet above the roar of traffic on Interstate 5; hilly neighborhoods most Angelenos never see, including one accessible only by footpaths (no road access); a half-mile stretch of railbed for the defunct Red Car trolley line that criss-crossed Los Angeles 80 years ago hidden along the eastern edge of Silver Lake; and some of the longest and hardest to find public staircases in the city. Union Station, one of the last great train stations built in the U.S. and Barnsdall Park, site of Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, at the start and conclusion of the hike also are noteworthy if you are not familiar with them.

The hike ends at Barndall Park in East Hollywood, two blocks from the Redline Metro Station at Vermont and Sunset. I plan to park at Barnsdall Park, where there is plenty of free public parking, and take the Metro Redline to Union Station for the start of the hike. One-way Metro fare is $1.50.

You are encouraged to meet me on the hill at the top of Barnsdall Park between 8:00 and 8:10 am. Look for the group at the top of the wide outdoor staircase facing Griffith Park. We will start walking to the Redline Station no later 8:15 am. We will not wait for late arrivals, but you can look for us at the Vermont/Sunset station (our train departs for Union Station at 8:39 a.m.) or catch up as we walk east on Broadway toward Elysian Park.

If you meet the group at Union Station, look for us just outside the front entrance on Alameda Street between 9:00 and 9:10 am.

Bring water and a hat or sunscreen. We will be exposed to the sun most of the day. There will be restroom stops every couple of hours. Plan on finishing the hike about 4 pm.

My mobile number is 323-354-0168, but don't expect to reach me while I am in transit on the Metro between 8:30 and 8:55 am.

Please do not RSVP "yes" unless you mean it. I blacklist "no shows". If you must cancel, do so as early as possible, in consideration of those on the waiting list. If you have hiked with me before, and the hike is full, put yourself on the waiting list. You will be given priority as spots become available.

Joining this hike is entirely voluntary and participants assume all associated risks. It is each hiker's responsibility to ensure that s/he is in sufficient fitness and health to participate, with appropriate provisions and equipment. The Los Angeles Hiking Meetup group and the hike organizer make no warranties about the safety or supervision of these activities.

Tuck 

Los Angeles Hiking Group

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Union Station to Barnsdall Park via Elysian Park and Publilc Staircases

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Union Station to Barnsdall Park via Elysian Park and Publilc Staircases

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