"Poop-Out" & "Punk-Out" Trail Workout Hike - Advanced

(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.