So Cal Happy Hour Backpacking

Please be advised - as a co-organizer of Happy Hour Backpacking and organizer of this hike, I am not soliciting funds. Meetup has added the "Chip in" button and receives a percentage of any monies contributed. As a co-organizer, I do not have the option to remove it. Flashlight or headlamp recommended for the hike up and the hike down! We proudly boast almost 11 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" DO NOT PARK ON LAKE ! ! ! If you don't think you will be down before 10PM park on Monterosa (off of Loma Alta) or further west. Mind the posted parking restrictions - parking enforcement has been hit and miss - don't take a chance! 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. If you are meeting someone - we meet at the gate at the end of Lake Ave. Hikers usually head back down in two or three different groups - The "Linus Train" departs at 8:00PM other leave between 8:30 and 10 PM (a few a little earlier and some a little later depending on the weather). First Timers - Please read the "First Timers" section, CAREFULLY ! Around the turn of the century things were a little different on Echo Mountain and Mt. Lowe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc_lqdHyNNs Here is a little more history of the area you are about to visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1P6AaOy6mY And it you want the complete tour of the railway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39-blSIsiqI There is no trash collection at the top of Echo Mountain. Please help to keep the area clean by taking some down - there are trash bins at the gate. It is not fair to burden the last hikers to leave the top with all the trash. 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 the comments section to communicate. The Sun will set at 5:07 PM with about another 25 minutes of twilight. It has been setting later each week for a few weeks now. The tiny 5% sliver of the Moon will set at 2:09 PM, probably before anyone - even the earliest of hikers, starts up. Evening temperatures have been getting chilly - many folks bring a dry top to change into for comfort. It is that time of year where you may want to a hat, gloves and jacket - depending on how sensitive you are to temperatures in the 50s (or lower). 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 2.7 miles up with about a little over 1300 ft. elevation gain and 2.7 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 cheese, crackers, chips, dips, spreads, deli meats, fruit, etc. etc. Some hikers have been very creative and others have brought homemade items/ Just remember - not everything travels well in a backpack. You couldn't meet a nicer group of people! The warm, friendly atmosphere at the top has become a mid-week highlight to our weekly routines for many! So if you are into great company, tasty refreshments, historic hotel ruins and fantastic views then 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. an aerial view map is located in our files and may be downloaded from: http://files.meetup.com/1081193/Echo%20Trailhead.docx 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 2.6 miles, go to the right - slightly downhill for 250 yards 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, comfortable hiking shoes, ample water, something dry to change into will add to your comfort - particularly on a chilly night - it is best to layer. Also, something to share for the potluck, and a HEADLIGHT OR FLASHLIGHT for the hike up and 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 I-210 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 trailhead. 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 event. Each person who signs up for an event 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 activi

(UPDATE) Chantry Flats is currently Closed with the government shutdown. In this case, we may hike to Mt Wilson via Sierra Madre which is a more difficult hike (14 miles RT, with 4,700 ft elev gain.) Leave a comment with any questions. Final hike start location will be posted on Friday Jan 18th, 12PM. We will take the trail along a creek, pass a waterfall, pass thru a few campgrounds, and hike to Mt Wilson with a few stops. One break, a favorite, is at the Sturtevant Campground, at the 4-mile point from Chantry Flats. We will start hiking at 07:15AM from gate at the bottom of the upper parking lot. This is an advanced moderate /light strenuous hike of approx 14 miles round-trip and about 4,150 feet of elevation gain/loss. From the parking lot, we'll head down a paved road for about a half mile, pass over a small wooden bridge, then turn right and head over to the Upper Winter Creek trail to Sturtevant Campground where we'll stop for a break amid the campground and go inside the lodge if it is open. Then we'll continue up for another 3-miles to reach the summit of Mt Wilson from the back side. After a nice lunch rest at the Cosmic Cafe* pavilion and some pics, we will take the trail down from the parking lot next to the communication towers to pick up the Mt Wilson service road and hike over to the Upper Winter creek trail back down to the upper parking lot. *The Cosmic Cafe is closed for winter and will re-open Mar 30, 2019. Be sure to pack enough snacks, and a lunch, for yourself for this 14-mile hike. I like to bring a thermos of hot coffee to warm me up. Also bring 3L of water as we are not sure if the water sources on Mt Wilson will be available to refill our bottles or bladders on any given day. Weather (and wind chill) varies up on Mt Wilson so bring a layers (one for rain), gloves, hat, headlamp, and hiking poles are recommended. Chantry flats is $5 for the day good at all LA-area National Forest sites. • To reach Chantry: From the 210, take the Santa Anita exit and go north 5 miles. Initially you'll be traveling through a neighborhood, but after about 1.5 miles, Santa Anita becomes a winding mountain road that ends at the parking lot. You'll meet the group where the road ends and the parking lot begins, near the gate Please read: This is not a hike for beginners. I would ask that you sign up for this hike only if you have completed hikes of more than 12 miles total with 3,000 ft of elevation gain (min.), If you're not sure about your ability, please do not consider this hike yet. The Organizer, assistant Organizers, group leaders, and event hosts, henceforth ("Leader/s"), for this group are not professional guides and generally do not have any certifications for the wilderness or hiking. The function of the "Leader/s" is/are only to organize the event and to hike together to have a fun outdoor group experience. We do make sure no one is left behind, and can answer questions about the adventure. Personal and group safety is everyone's responsibility. If anyone sees a person in this group struggling, or hurt, they must immediately call out to stop the hike and ask for assistance. Each person who signs up for an event 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, especially in the mountains where trails can be eroded, unstable, and thin occasionally. Thus, by attending this event, you freely accept and fully assume any / all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, assistant Organizers, group leader/s, and event hosts from any / all liability as a result of accidental injury, or death, arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities herein.

This is about a 6 mile round trip hike out and back. It is a low-moderate hike with about 1000 ft. elevation gain to Lazy Lucas Camp (often mistaken for Tom Lucas Camp) - all that remains here is a fire pit and two logs to sit on, but this will be our turn around point. Tom Lucas Camp was about .7 mile further, but has been swallowed up over the years by fire and thick brush. The trail: A closed fire road, passes some private cabins that date from the 1920s and ’30s, and arrives at the creek. The road ends and the footpath begins three-quarters of a mile from the trail head, at a creek crossing. After half a mile, the path switchbacks up the canyon’s chaparral-covered west wall. After a couple of bends in the trail, Trail Canyon Falls appears below. Trail Canyon Trail isn’t quite as redundant as it sounds. The "trail" in Trail Canyon refers not to a footpath, but to the "trail" left by tiny flakes of gold found in the gravel of the canyon’s creek bed. Turn-of-the-century placer miners worked the creek, but the trail didn’t lead to any riches. The real wealth of Trail Canyon is in its scenery: steep canyon walls that conceal a bubbling creek and surprising waterfall. During dry months and drought years, the creek is still, but swollen by rain and runoff it becomes a lively watercourse. While not completely back to its former verdant splendor, Trail Canyon had recovered nicely from the 1975 Big Santa Anita Fire that blackened this part of the forest only to be burnt again in the Station Fire. Beyond the falls, the trail used to lead to the shady Tom Lucas Trail Camp, named for a grizzly bear hunter and one of the first forest rangers in that forerunner of the Angeles National Forest, the San Gabriel Timberland Reserve Trailhead: Take I-5 north - exit Sunland Blvd. turn right. Shortly after you pass under the 210 freeway Sunland becomes Foothill (or take the 210 to Sunland Blvd and head north) – continue on Foothill .4 mi. turning left on Oro Vista Blvd. in .9 mi. Oro Vista becomes Big Tujunga Canyon Blvd. go another 7 miles to Trail Canyon Road on the left(a.k.a. Gold Creek Rd.- .9 miles after you cross the bridge) - creek will be on your right(NF–3N29 a.k.a. Gold Creek Rd.). If you see Ottie Rd. on the right you have passed Gold Creek Rd. Note that Trail Canyon Road is a fairly narrow dirt road, a bit bumpy, but passable except by cars that are low to the ground. Follow the dirt road and bear to the right at the fork– follow it down to the parking area – Adventure Pass required (Lat:[masked] Lon:[masked]) Note: Some car pool space available from Pasadena - Contact Linus What to bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, sun screen, insect repellent, ample water or other liquids for hydration and snacks or a light lunch for our break at the turn around point. (traditionally hikers usually bring something to share). You may also want to apply some Ivy Block or at least be aware of the abundant Poison Oak present after the falls. It is avoidable if you know what you are looking for. 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.

Stats Distance. 5.6 miles Elevation gain: 1,400 ft. Level: Advanced beginner, moderate Directions: From the I-210 fwy towards Pasadena, take the North Lake Avenue exit and head north until the end of Lake where it meets Loma Alta. Please pay attention to street signs in order to avoid a parking ticket. What's going on? The main event is the total lunar eclipse, which happens when the moon passes fully into the shadow of Earth. Secondly, it's a supermoon, which is the time of month when the moon is closest to Earth in its orbit. Lastly, it's the first full moon of the year, also known as a wolf moon. Starting on Jan. 20, a total lunar eclipse, or blood moon, that coincides with a supermoon, will be visible throughout the U.S., including Indiana. The event starts late in the evening on Jan. 20, and finishes during the wee hours of Jan. 21. The next total lunar eclipse happens on May 26, 2021. Brian Murphy, director of the Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium and Butler University professor, said there's typically two lunar eclipses each year, with total lunar eclipses about every two years. Phase Description & Time (PST) Penumbral eclipse begins 18:36 Partial eclipse begins 19:33 Total eclipse begins 20:41 Maximum eclipse begins 21:12 Total eclipse ends 21:43 Partial eclipse ends 22:50 Penumbral eclipse ends 23:48 Sunset is at 5:12 pm. Twilight ends at 5:38 pm. Make sure to have a headlamp or flashlight for the hike down. Bring a change of shirt and warm layer as it gets cold at the top during this time. Please bring a snack or refreshment to share. Whatever we pack in, we have to pack out. We will all meet at the Cobb Estate gate at 5:30 pm. Please keep your rsvp current so that we don't wait for you. Since this is an out-and-back hike, you can return to the cars on your own at any time. Just let someone know if you elect to do so. ********************************************* Liability Waivers and Disclaimers: We only organize events and do not claim that any of the organizers, assistant organizers, event organizers, event hosts, and/or volunteers are trained professional guides. We are volunteers; thus we're only inviting you to join us as friends hiking with friends. Outdoor sports can be inherently dangerous, and from time to time, accidents may happen. By joining in any posted events, you agree that you're aware of the risks, hazards, and dangers associated with any activity and that you're taking full responsibility of your own safety and well-being. All participants must take full responsibility for their own actions and adhere to the rules and regulations of any governmental agencies that exist written or otherwise; that you are releasing So Cal Happy Hour Backpacking from any and all claims and liability in case of possible injuries as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup Terms of Service Agreement (http://www.meetup.com/terms/) located at the bottom at the Meetup website. If you do not agree with the above or uncertain of your ability to complete a hike or event safely, please do not sign up.