4th OF JULY SHORT HIKE AND NON-STOP FIREWORKS

IF YOU ARE JUST JOINIG, PLEASE READ THIS: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/63t1izp7svgbz6lmfqv5c/Final-Email.docx?rlkey=db7hv31y5k9vbiuj27xfeuhq4&dl=0

OK, you guys convinced me, and we'll have a 4th of July outing!

I know of one secret location (that is not going to be a secret after this!) in Burbank that overlooks the whole city of LA, and it's literally a 15-minute hike to get to.

We'll do something similar to what we did for the full moon hike, and have everyone bring something to share, and do a little picnic up there.
We'll meet at 7:00 pm at the trailhead, hike up, set up our stuff, and hang out while we wait for the fireworks. The official fireworks usually start at around 9:00 pm and go for 20 minutes or so, but the cool thing about where we will be is that we will be able to see all the fireworks, from all the locations. The pictures I'm posting below are actual pictures of the view from the location. On a clear day, you can see fireworks all the way in San Francisco. On a super clear day, you can see them even in Alaska, and sometimes, Russia!

Now, here is the only warning I have: I have never been there, so I have no idea what the hell I'm talking about! Just kidding, I've been there many times, including many times at night, BUT I've never been there on the 4th of July. I know they are having an event at the Starlight Bowl which is off of the same road. Starlight has its own parking lot, but I don't know if people will end up parking on the road as well. So, chances are, we'll get there and won't find parking close to the trailhead. If that happens, we'll have to improvise on the spot. That might mean we'll have to park at the bottom of the hill and have a pretty long hike. I think we'll be OK, but I wanted to give that warning.

BRING:

- If you are a photographer, bring your good camera and a tripod. You'll get some great pictures (Dave!;-)).

- A headlamp or flashlight. New moon is on the 5th, so it'll be pitch dark when we're coming back down. That's going to be great for the fireworks, though!

- A jacket. It might get a little chili, but not like it did for the full moon hike. :-D

- Water. At least one liter (I bring two).

- A bottle of wine or whatever you will want to drink and share (juice, soda, water on-the-rocks).

- Something to eat and share. Some good ideas are fruit, cheese & crackers, chips, or anything that is easy to carry and eat on a picnic. For the full moon, Ayako brought s'mores and that was amazing! But feel free to bring fried chicken, shepherd’s pie, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, or soup.

- Your own reusable plastic cup, plastic plate, and utensils. As I predicted some people didn't for the full moon hike. Don't be that person...

- Paper towels or napkins. Some people didn't bring it for the full moon hike and had to use their socks.

- A blanket to lay on the ground, so we can have our picnic.

- A plastic bag to bring back whatever trash you produce.

- A beach chair might be pretty nice to bring, and since it's a short hike, it shouldn't be hard.

DO NOT BRING:
- Dogs. Sorry, no dogs. I love dogs, but dogs are not good on a group hike, especially with fireworks.

- A bad and whining attitude. You know the drill: we'll already have enough wine. If you are a wino, yes, come! If you are not a wino, but are a wateroo, a sodoo, or a juicoo, you are welcome, too. But if you are a whiner, nope! You stay home and watch the fireworks from your TV! :-D

- Hard liquor. We're not there to get shitfaced and fall off the trail on the way back. That did happen once, which is why I now make sure to mention it. We're there to have a good time. Drinking to the point nobody is having a good time anymore is never our goal.

OK! All the fun we can have on the fourth! See you guys at the trailhead.

Eduardo.

P.S. If you want to be an LA flake and not show up, suit yourself. It'll be your loss. You can look at our pictures. :-P