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 17-18 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 900ft. Approximately 2:15 hours.

SPEED: Advanced/Fast speed of approximately 17-18 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 17-18 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.

NOT A BEGINNER HIKE

The hike will be about 2.5 hours and will be about 4+ miles is a FAST-PACED hike, we go different routes (fire road or up single-track).
To judge the difficulty of this hike; you should expect to go up a steep (25% grade) hill for 10 to 15 minutes at your own maximum hiking speed* before you get a short break and then do it again. We will typically ascend 1200 feet in gain (HogBack to Mt. Hollywood, Mt. Lee, Taco, etc.).
*to the point that you are panting hard.

Another way to describe the difficulty; on this hike we go up STEEP and VERY STEEP hills, but we go at the speed of the slowest hiker as long as that slowest hiker is pushing very hard (panting, sweating). i.e., there is tolerance for a slower hiker that is pushing hard. If a slower hiker is taking it easy, then they will be asked to go back to the parking lot and join a different hike.

Bring WATER, hiking shoes, hiking poles and a long sleeve shirt if you get chilly. You can bring flash lights but please only the red or green; white light diminishes night vision. Arrive 10 to 15 earlier, we leave exactly on time. If you cannot make it, please update your RSVP.
How to get there take the Los Feliz/Crystal Springs entrance to the park just off the I-5 freeway. Go North on Crystal Springs into the park. At the second stop sign you'll come to a four way intersection. The ranger station should be on your right. Make a left at that intersection, go up the road a little bit, and you'll be forced to turn right into merry-go-round lot #1. Just drive through lot #1 and down the road a little ways and you'll be in lot #2. We meet in the north end of parking lot 2 by the steps.

Please be aware that Assistant Organizers, Event Hosts, and support hikers are volunteers and 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 have 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 of Los Angeles Hiking & Fitness Meetup Group 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/