Wildwood Cyn/Vital LinkTrail in Burbank, Level Intermediate

Join us this Saturday as the sun goes down to hike the Vital Link Trail in the Wildwood Cyn area of Burbank. The weather forecast calls for partly cloudy. This is NOT a beginner hike. The climb up is about 3 challenging miles, with some very steep portions and switchbacks and roughly 1780 feet of elevation gain. Mostly single track on the way up, and fire road on the way back.
We meet by Hilltop/DeBell Restaurant in the Debell Golf course area. Free street parking and parking lot (always read parking signs). Restrooms and water at the start.
From the restaurant, we will warm up with a short walk along the golf course before we get to the trailhead.
My pace will be moderate, and most likely I will slow down a little bit on the second half of the trail as we gain higher elevation. Others may go fast, and that is ok as long as they feel comfortable hiking on their own. We will go at a brisk pace on the way down on the fire road.
We will take a brief break at the top to enjoy the views and a quick snack. At the top, we take the fire roads down hill and along Stough Cyn back to the cars. This hike is labeled intermediate and includes steep trail going up with about roughly 1780 feet elevation gain. Please check All Trails for more details about the trail. We will take a few quick pauses along the second half of the trail to catch our breath and drink water and to regroup. You must be able to keep up with the group. There is no sweep. If you are falling behind or if it is too hard, you can turn back and walk along the shady road near the trailhead.
Please read everything below. Thank you!!
LEVEL: Intermediate for steep hills and elevation gain, appx 1780 feet. We will take a few quick breaks along the way for water and to catch our breath.
LENGTH: appx 6.5 miles, appx 3 hours.
BRING: exercise clothes, hiking shoes with good tread, poles if you want, sun hat, snack, sunscreen, water or electrolyte water, phone with GPS in case u want to leave early, bug repellant?
MEETUP SPOT: Hilltop Restaurant (Debel Golf), 1500 E Walnut Ave, Burbank, CA 91501. Look for us outside, near the flag pole.
MEETUP TIME: 5:00 pm sharp. We will have quick introductions and leave by 5:05 pm. Once we leave, I will not be able to check the app.
PARKING: FREE in the parking lot across the restaurant, or along Walnut Avenue.
RESTROOMS & WATER: Restrooms and water fountain are available on the 1st floor near the Golf Shop. The Golf Shop sells drinks in case you need to buy one before the hike.
LIABILITY: The organizer is an uncompensated and untrained volunteer. By joining this event each member accepts full responsibility for knowing their limits, for all injuries, health issues, material losses, assessing all risks and for getting lost. Each member shall make their guests aware of these policies and releases the host from all liability.