Intermediate/Advanced Hike!
Pull out your Butt Kicker Boots.
DESCRIPTION: Bring your A-game, and let the mountains become your personal Stairmaster – because who needs a gym when you’ve got nature’s masterclass in butt-kicking? We will meet at the gate at the ruins of the old Cobb Estate. There is only neighborhood parking so please be respectful of the area. From there we will take the Sam Merrill Trail to the remains of Echo Mountain Lodge and check out the detritus of the Mt Lowe Railway as well as a quick break and snacky time.
For those that have had enough uphill for the day, we will check you out and send you on your way back down to the trailhead, while the more adventurous go for the extra credit challenge to Inspiration Point. This is an Intermediate/Advanced route depending on what you choose to hike. We will be going about 5.5 miles if you choose to do the first part, with a 1420 feet of gain, or about 10 miles with a total 2,752 feet of gain for those with ample enthusiasm and perhaps caffeination.
Hike leader volunteers: Paul Huskey. Gary Sande.
Meet: at the trailhead at 8:00 am, departure at 8:15 am sharp.
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation gain: 1200 ft
Time: ~ 3.5 hours hiking with one snack break ( First section only) or 5.5 hours with two snack breaks ( Both Sections).
Conditioning: you need to be in generally good physical condition
Dogs: OK as long as they are well-behaved and on leash.
No restrooms – so plan accordingly.
Adventure Pass: Not Required
WARNINGS:
A lot of this hike is along narrow switch backs on the side of the Mountain and is not recommended with anyone with a fear of heights.
ESSENTIAL GEAR: You will be emailed a full list of Recommended Hiking Gear, but these are essential for this hike”
- Hiking shoes/boots and Poles.
- Layers recommended. Temps are getting colder!
- Snacks and 2+ liters of water and electrolytes or salt tablets; camera, hat and sunscreen.
- Appropriate hiking gear and survival essentials recommended.
**THIS HIKE RANKING: Level 4 (Intermediate/Advanced – see chart below)**:
HIKE RANKING SCALE – Consider your capabilities before RSVP’ing for a hike to ensure you are properly conditioned for a hike:
1) Beginner: 1-3 miles, less than 500 feet elevation gain
2) Beginner/Intermediate: 1-7 miles, less than 700 feet elevation gain
3) Intermediate: 5-10 miles, 1000-2000 feet elevation gain
4) Intermediate/Advanced: 7-12 miles, up to 3000 feet elevation gain
5) Advanced: 10-17 miles, 3000 feet or more elevation gain
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY – IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
When you sign up for this event, you are releasing Community Hiking Club from any liability or responsibility with your participation in this group activity.
While safety is a priority for everyone in the group, hiking can be inherently risky. By participating in any posted event, you are assuming responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Community Hiking Club (CHC) Meetup Group and its organizers and hike leaders are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in our events. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Community Hiking Club Meetup events, you are releasing the Community Hiking Club Meetup Group and Hike Leaders from all liability in case of possible injuries or death as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience. If you sign up for this hike, you are verifying that this hike is within your abilities.
We will email you a Recommended Hiking and Survival Gear List to review, and a GPS map of this trail that you can import into the GAIA app on your cell phone. We highly recommend GAIA and What3Words be installed on your cell phones!
The Community Hiking Club is a Non-Profit 501C3 organization. We rely on donations to continue sponsoring hikes such like this. Please contribute by donating via: Cash contribution (at each hike), or via Zelle at 6617135610; or via Venmo at: @Heidi-Webber-5
