Los Angeles Hiking Group

Please read this entire write up. This is a moderately strenuous hike.
The hikes are about 2 hours long and about 4 miles, and those miles include steep ascents and descents, most often on single track trails. Some trails can be uneven and slippery. We move at a fairly rapid pace. but pause occasionally to enjoy the scenery, smell the flowers, and take pictures of the amazing views. No two hikes are the same, and we go all over the park.

Please don't be late, as we aim to leave on time, 4:30 p.m. Good idea to arrive around 4:15 so that we can start at 4:30 p.m. Don't forget to bring water and wear good hiking shoes with lug soles.

A note re time -- hike start times change occasionally, depending on the weather and the time of year. Please check the start time when you sign up, but an e-mail will be sent out whenever the time is changed. .

Please be aware that Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers organize hikes without compensation and assume absolutely no responsibility for you or your guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and made your guests aware of the risks, dangers, and hazards associated with any outdoor activity, and you accept, and fully assume all such risks, dangers, and hazards, and further agree to release, and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers, and Event Hosts from, and against any, and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities. Please see the Meetup terms of service agreement https://www.meetup.com/terms/

Come join us for a FAST-paced urban hike around the winding hills and beautiful streets of peaceful San Marino and Pasadena. Enjoy the scenery, the architecture, the wide streets, and the cool morning air. NOTE: Before signing up, be sure to review the safety guidelines and policies below, including the 'No Crashing'/'Guests Must Also Sign Up' policy and the 'Timeframe for Cancelling an RSVP/Signup' policy.

LEVEL: Advanced/Fast speed (approximately 16-17 mins per mile), some long street inclines, otherwise moderate plus. We are a friendly group that loves to socialize and encourages newcomers, but please note that moderate+ level of cardio fitness and fast walking speed are required.

LENGTH: 7.0 miles, some long street inclines. Elevation gain is 300ft. Approximately 2:15 hours.

SPEED: Advanced/Fast speed of approximately 16-17 mins per mile. We will try to take a quick pause to re-group at the top of stairs and steep hills but our regulars like to keep up a good solid fast pace of about 16-17 minutes per mile. There will be no sweep, so bring your phone for navigation just in case you fall behind or want to leave early.

BRING: Exercise outfit, workout shoes, and sufficient water.

MEETING POINT: We will meet for introductions at 8:30 am on the northwest corner of Mission Street and El Molino Road in San Marino, CA 91108, and take off sharply at 8:35 am.

RESTROOMS: There are none along the way, unless you count any random Port-a-Potties that we might come across along the route.

PARKING: Free street parking around the intersection of Mission Street and El Molino Road. Parking at your own risk.

'NO CRASHING'/'GUESTS MUST ALSO SIGN UP': All participants MUST sign up through the Meetup app and check in with the leader upon arrival. If someone is a bringing a guest, then that guest MUST also sign up as well through the Meetup app before the hike if space is available. There are NO exceptions. The waitlist, if any, generally clears in order. Members with a good attendance record and a posted picture (LA Hiking Group rule) may get some priority.

TIMEFRAME FOR CANCELLING AN RSVP/SIGNUP: Please sign up ONLY if you think there's a realistic chance that you will make the hike. If folks sign up and then decide that they can't make it, please be sure to change your RSVP to "Not Going" at least 24-36 hours before the scheduled time for the hike in order: (1) allow me to more accurately predict the number of participants on the hike, and (2) allow people on the waitlist to join the hike within a reasonable amount of time of the hike. Waiting until the last minute to cancel (or simply not showing up) is not fair to me and to other LA Hiking members.

PROFILE NAME AND PIC: Be sure to update your profile to indicate at least your first name and include a picture showing your face, per group policy. This is for your safety and to discourage non-signed-up crashers.

LIABILITY: The organizer is an untrained and unpaid volunteer. By joining this event each member accepts full and total responsibility for knowing their limits, for all injuries and health issues, assessing all risks, for any material losses, for falling behind, and for getting lost. Each member fully releases the host from any and all liability.

(Check comments for updates)
Join us for a great workout hike. This is a trail I often use for training and so does the local fire department. It is very steep so it will get you "huffing and puffing" for sure and give you an excellent cardio, leg, and butt workout.
(Event is cross-posted)

TRAINING CONCEPT:
The focus will be to get a great cardio, butt, and leg workout going up very steep inclines. This will essentially be a form of interval training, which is actually quite effective for increasing your cardio capacity/fitness level. We'll all push ourselves a bit to get our heart rate up and then catch our breath and re-group at the junctions and hilltops.

DIFFICULTY: ADVANCED
You already need to be well conditioned for this workout. Although the distance is relatively short this is a high intensity workout and several sections are very steep. We'll be power-walking uphill to get our heart rate up to improve our conditioning. Due to the steepness it is important to wear shoes with great traction.

THE PLAN:
We will meet in the dirt parking lot to the left of Glendora Mountain Road (GMR) just past Big Dalton Rd. by the trail head at 8:50 AM, do some stretching and introductions etc. and get started heading up the trail at 9:00 AM.

We will do it in two segments with a stop about 1/2 way to the top and we will take the longer and not nearly as steep route (Lower Monroe and Mystic Tail) back down together. Just make sure you keep to the side of the main Lower Monroe trail as it is popular with mountain bikers.

DISTANCE & ELEVATION GAIN:
About 5 miles and about 1560 ft. or so of elevation gain.

TIME REQUIRED:
About 2 hours or so.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Trail running shoes or flexible hiking booths with plenty of traction (important)
• Hydration system (best) or a bottle with water or Gatorade etc.
• Your cell phone (make sure organizer has your number).
• Consider layered clothing including a light wind breaker jacket

PARKING:
There should be plenty of parking in the large parking lot (see photo below).

NO SHOWS:
(Check comments for updates)
It is inconsiderate to the organizer and anyone on the waiting list to RSVP and not show up, therefore I am registering no-shows. For this event you need to change your RSVP to "No" minimum 45 minutes before the start of the event. If you have multiple no-shows on your record you will be considered unreliable and may not be admitted to certain events and when there are people on the waiting list.

DISCLAIMER:
Please ensure that you are in good health before participating in a high intensity activity like this one. If you are in doubt please get a check-up with a physician. As an event organizer I assume absolutely no responsibility for you. I am simply a "training buddy", nothing more. If you choose to participate, you assume all responsibility for yourself and agree not to hold me or our Meetup group liable in any way.