One of Carmen’s favorite trails at her request. This is a short trail but the first two miles are very steep. We’ll take a short snack break at one of the towers, enjoy the view then head back down. Bring layers and a headlamp. Follow Covid guidelines.
Distance: <6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,508′
Trail: Single track, firebreak, fire road, loop, mostly exposed
Level: Not for beginners
Parking: Street parking at trailhead.
Directions: From the I-210 to La Crescenta, take the Pennsylvania Ave. exit and head south for about 0.5 miles. Stay on Pennsylvania, and it soon becomes Honolulu Ave. Turn right on Whiting Woods Road. Drive 0.3 miles and park at the end of the road. We’ll meet at the yellow gate at the TH.
This is a residential neighborhood. Please be mindful of the noise level.
This write up is Don’s:
Description:
Whiting Woods Trail in La Crescenta leads to the Verdugo Motorway. It’s six miles/1,500 elev gain loop. It starts out on a beautiful shaded trail, which will lead us to the challenging part of the hike. It is climbing in less than eighth of a mile with a 200+ ft elev gain and totally exposed.
There is poison oak at the beginning of the trail but totally avoidable.
Then once we get to the top, we will be on the Verdugo Motorway to head back down to our cars. It is a moderate hike. Best to leave Fido at home because of one short section that will be steep. Bring plenty of liquids and nourishment you will require.
This hike will reward us with beautiful views of the Angeles National Forest to the north and all of Glendale and the Valley beyond to the south and west.
WHITING WOODS HISTORY:
http://www.whitingwoods.org/History.htm
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The Fine Print
PLEASE – Know your limits and abilities. Bring snacks and drink plenty of liquids when hiking. Check weather conditions and dress accordingly and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Watching out for poison oak, snakes, ticks, uneven footing, spectacular views, beautiful fauna all while interacting with awesome (usually) fellow hikers can be extremely hazardous, rewarding and fun.
The Farzan Rule: Posted hike times are the time the hike starts or we leave from a posted shuttle location. I’m aware other Meetup groups offer a grace period for late arrivals; we don’t. It’s your responsibility to know the location of the meeting spot and be there and ready to participate at the posted time. If you have any concerns about the directions feel free to contact the organizer of the event, preferably in advance of the event and not at the start time. I’m of the opinion that it’s not fair to delay an event when the majority of attendees have arrived on-time. (so named after a conversation I had with a certain un-named member)
RSVP’s: If you RSVP for an event be responsible and update your RSVP if your plans change. If your plans change at the last second and you’re not able to update your RSVP also let us know. In my opinion a no-show is someone who has no regard for following the guidelines we request from our members and will risk being removed from future events that have a limit.
VHC HIKE RATING SCALE
Rating a hike is subjective, meaning the difficulty of a hike will be in direct relation to how often you hike and the type of hike you prefer. Keep in mind that any hike can have the following: uneven hiking surfaces, various obstructions, water and/or water crossings or bouldering and/or rock hopping. A great hike will have all of these!
1 – A long walk
2 – 4 mile hike w/little elevation gain
3 – 5 mile hike w/up to1000 ft. elevation gain
4 – 5+ mile hike w/up to1500 ft. elevation gain (heart rate increases at times)
5 – 7+ mile hike w/over 1500 ft. elevation gain (heart rate increasing even more at times)
6 – 7+ mile hike w/over 2000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be trying to remember how to perform CPR)
7 – 5+ mile hike w/over 2000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be muttering expletives to yourself)
8 – 10+ mile hike w/over 3500 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be angry with the hike leader)
9 – 10+ mile hike w/over 5000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be thinking of reporting the hike leader to the authorities)
10 – Use your imagination
Class 3 Scrambling: Scrambling or un-roped climbing. You must use your hands at times to hold the terrain or find your route. This may be caused by a combination of boulders, steepness and extreme terrain. Some Class 3 routes have ropes in place for assistance.
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
I am a volunteer (i.e. not liable for the group). Safety is a priority for everyone in the group. Think of this as hiking with a group of friends.
Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you’re taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup events, you are releasing the Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and it’s organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries 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.