Archives For Hike

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook

October 29, 2014 — Leave a comment

Take in breathtaking views, hike through restored native habitat, and enjoy a state of the art visitor center at the stunning new urban park, Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Visitors can begin to discover, or residents can rediscover Los Angeles from this 511 foot peak just southwest of downtown.

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Exhibits tell the story of this once drilled and exploited land which has now become a symbol of restoration, conservation, and hope.  A short walk away, visitors are treated to a panoramic view of the entire Los Angeles Basin, the Pacific Ocean, and surrounding mountains.

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The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook is a 57-acre urban state park located 500 feet above the city in the heart of Los Angeles. The park includes a new 10,000 square foot visitor center, observation deck and viewing areas, hiking trails, picnic areas and restored natural landscape.

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The turbulent history of the Baldwin Hills site, from oil wells to plans for massive residential development, stripped this mountain of most of its natural past. A critical part of the design process was to define the period that represented the site in its natural state and to create a suitable environment. Visit the center by scaling the long staircase.

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WHAT: Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
WHEN: 8:00 am to Sunset daily
WHERE: 6300 Hetzler Road | Culver City, CA 90232

DETAILS:

  • Parking Fee: $6
  • Alcohol and dogs are  not allowed

CONTACT INFO: (310) 558-5547

SOCIAL MEDIA: Yelp

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YMCA Stair Climb For Los Angeles

September 1, 2014 — Leave a comment

Reach for the sky and climb nearly 75 flights to the top of the West Coast’s tallest building during the 21st Annual Stair Climb for Los Angeles! Each step you take benefits impactful programs at the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA for children, teens, families, and seniors living in LA’s most under-resourced neighborhoods and helps raise vital funds.

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Climb up for a thrilling vertical race or step at your own pace. Just like the mission of Y programs, you will focus your energy upwards and feel a huge sense of accomplishment! Plus, you, friends, and family are sure to enjoy a great day filled with climbing, music, food, firefighters, and fun at the Race Expo.

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During this incredible annual event, participants from around the country race up 1,500 steps to the top of the U.S. Bank Tower in downtown LA in support ofKetchum-Downtown YMCA’s community programs.

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Four-person teams combine their strength to conquer the tallest building West of the Mississippi, followed by public safety personnel in full uniform and the individual category as well.

Stair climbs are growing in popularity in Los Angeles as fundraisers

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During and after the race, participants, friends, family, and downtown employees gather for the Race Expo celebration and awards ceremony on Hope Street and Hope Place.

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Watch a video here.

WHAT: YMCA Stair Climb For Los Angeles
WHEN: September 19, 2014 
WHERE: US Bank Tower | 633 West 5th Street | Los Angeles, CA 90071

DETAILS:

CONTACT INFO: stairclimb@ymcala.org or (213) 639-7453

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | Yelp

Dear reader,

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Stough Canyon Nature Center

June 4, 2014 — 1 Comment

The Stough Canyon Nature Center has an exhibit hall with educational and interpretive displays about the natural history of the area and its plant life. It features a small library, a classroom, and an outdoor amphitheater.

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The Center provides information on local habitat and the natural history of the area and offers nature workshops, classes, and seasonal day camps. Local docents provide ongoing hiking activities in the park.

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Beginning at the top of Walnut Avenue, near the Nature Center, the fire road leads to the Verdugo Mountainway Trail. The Verdugo Mountainway is an extensive trail system which extends from the Sun Valley area south to Glendale’s Brand Park and to the northeast leading to Tujunga and La Crescenta.

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Hiking and mountain biking are permitted on the fire roads. The smaller trails are for hiking only and along with the fire roads lead to spectacular views of the San Fernando valley.

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A mile from the start, you will reach the ruins of an abandoned camp. A tall brick chimney is the first thing you will notice, rising from the concrete footprint of an old building; perhaps a lovely lodge at one time.

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The old camp is located in a plateaued saddle in the mountains covered in buckwheat and other low brush and grasses. Standing at the camp, the cityscape disappears behind you and you will get a lovely view north through a gap in the mountains followed by the San Gabriel Mountains further to the north.

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Venture outdoors this summer and visit the Stough Canyon Nature Center with friends and family for a beautiful day of hiking and sightseeing.

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WHAT: Stough Canyon Nature Center
WHEN: See details below 
WHERE: 2300 Walnut Avenue | Burbank, CA 91501

DETAILS:

  • Hours Open to the Public: (September – June) Tuesday – Friday, Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed Mondays, most holidays. (July and August) Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 
  • Parking lot will be closed and gate locked at 5:00 p.m. unless there is a City of Burbank activity.

CONTACT INFO: (818) 238-5440

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Yelp

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Mr. Events.

 

 

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Hellman Wilderness Park

May 1, 2014 — 2 Comments

Hellman Wilderness Park is a 5.5 mile loop trail located near the city of Whittier that features beautiful wild flowers, mountain views, and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year round. Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash.

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Located in the Puente Hills, and managed by the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority, Hellman Park offers trails into some of the most beautiful habitat in the area. Hike the trails on either side of the reservoir. Both trails are very aerobic up the mountainside taking you on a loop trail to the ridgeline overlooking Sycamore Canyon, a beautiful view. Along the way you will see a large collection of California brittlebush, a Sunflower family member with large yellow flowers in the spring. On a good day Catalina Island and downtown Los Angeles are observable.

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There is a small parking lot at the park entrance on Greenleaf Avenue, but more parking is available on the street if it is full.  The trailhead is clearly marked at the end of the parking lot, and there is a kiosk with a large trail map and other information about the park posted there.

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WHAT: Hellman Wilderness Park  
WHEN: Sun up to sun down 
WHERE: 5700 Greenleaf Avenue | Whittier, CA 90601

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | Yelp

Dear reader,

I appreciate your support and feedback. Please respond to this article now by leaving a comment and/or “liking” it. For exciting, up to date events in Los Angeles, subscribe to this blog via email. You can also share this article with friends and family and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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Fish Canyon Falls

March 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

Fish Canyon Falls is an eighty-foot tall three-tiered beauty in the San Gabriel Mountains near Azusa. Spring is the perfect time to visit the dynamic waterfall, but access is limited because there is a rock quarry blocking the trailhead. The creation of the quarry resulted in decades of disputed access to what was once one of the most popular destinations to the range. The quarry chewed up the first mile of the trail, reducing the trek to Fish Canyon Falls to four miles round trip with 400 feet of elevation gain. Even in it’s abbreviated form, this still deserves to be one of the most highly regarded hikes in the San Gabriel Mountains.

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Since the quarry operators will not allow you to just stroll through their active work zone, there are only certain days when the quarry opens the trailhead to hikers. Typically, hiking to Fish Canyon Falls is permitted two Saturdays per month throughout the spring. The calendar of these dates is available on the quarry website.

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After checking in at the quarry parking lot, a shuttle will drive you to the trailhead. From there, hike straight up the canyon to the falls. The trail takes the left bank of the canyon and climbs above the creek past seasonal wildflowers like sunflowers, wishbone bush, blue dicks, and wallflowers. The trail dips back to the creek where sycamores, bays, and alders provide relaxing shade. Boulders in the creek create small rapids and pools that make the creek that much more soothing.

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The trail climbs gradually up the canyon through sun and shade. After a creek crossing, the trail switches to the right bank and approaches Fish Canyon Falls. It is quite a sight! Water tumbles from the lip of the canyon to an upper pool, then pours down a short falls before streaming down the third and longest tier. There is a decent sized pool at the base of the falls and plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy a snack. The pool beneath the upper falls is not accessible to hikers, but could make for an adventurous climb for those with proper gear.

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For more hiking trails visit Hikes Peak.

WHAT: Fish Canyon Falls 
WHEN: Check here 
WHERE: 3901 Fish Canyon Road, Azusa, CA 91702

SOCIAL MEDIA: Yelp

Dear reader,

I appreciate your support and feedback. Please respond to this article now by leaving a comment and/or “liking” it. For exciting, up to date events in Los Angeles, subscribe to this blog via email. You can also share this article with friends and family and visit us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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Mr. Events.

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