Let Sierra Club Test Your Mettle!

By Paulie

We love Southern California because among the many fantastic features here we also have a mountain range that sprawls right through the middle of our tangled freeways and mass of humanity. Unfortunately we forget it’s there. We just sit in freeway traffic and grind our teeth on the steering wheel wishing we were somewhere else.

The mountains, of course, are part of the Santa Monica Mountain Range. They extend from Elysian Park (Dodger Stadium) westward some 40 miles all the way to Point Magu on the Pacific Coast. One specific portion on the east side of the mountain range was an inheritance to Los Angeles, with a trust in place to maintain it: Griffith Park. That park land still somewhat rugged and untamed is reserved specifically for recreational use. In fact for last fifty years or so the Sierra Club has been offering guided hikes for the urban weary as part of that recreational use. They offer different hikes at different times of the day so when I heard they had a twilight hike, well, I did a double take. Twilight hikes. Who knew? It sounded delightful, even a bit, uh, romantic. I decided to go.

That evening, all the hikers met in a parking lot inside the park. I noticed that many of the hikers were ready to go, overly eager as a matter of fact. There was a feeling of determination in the air, to get started, in a gung-ho worn hiking boots, water bottles dangling, clenched teeth sort of way. The Sierra Club organizers were on it. First the more advanced hikers headed up to the difficult trails with their guides. Quickly all the experience hikers stomped away. Ah yes, as last, their fast pace seem to indicate. Those of us left behind seemed a little self conscious. Everyone knew our trail would be the easiest one. So us newbies, hung around not sure what to do and waited for instructions.

Soon a knowledgeable, good-natured, guide motioned for us to follow along with him. We were about a dozen in number. It’s not a hard hike, he said. However, we’ll be climbing up a trail that does have a five hundred foot elevation. He sang out over his shoulder to us as he took off, we best be moving along. And move along we did. We climbed steeply up a meandering fire road lined with oaks and sumac. As twilight came on, birds darted back and forth and then at last off to nests. We continued to climb and gradually became aware of the lights from Glendale and suburbs glowing on the far hills to the east. Eventually after more climbing and sweating we came to a stop. The quiet of the evening surrounded us and a cool breeze swirled around. Peering into the dark distance the freeway far below was a mere shimmering stream of red lights flowing one direction and white flowing the opposite. Deep twilight calmed us and city lights mesmerized. Too soon it seemed we started down. On the way back there was light hearted camaraderie between us all. We did it. We made it up and back. We actually accomplished some sort personal best. By golly, our mettle was tested and we passed.

So you ask, was it really romantic? Well, my boots were dusty, water bottle dangled and sweat dripped down my forehead; it wasn’t a pretty sight. However, it was in the middle of a lovely balmy evening with city lights glowing. If you go alone it is memorable. If you go with your sweet cutie-pie as I did then yes it is romantic, every minute of it. So grab you sweetheart and go on a romantic hike and test your mettle. You can find the Sierra Club schedule in the local newspapers or on-line. Oh, yes. Post your comments at thishikingtrail.com website. Let everyone know how your hike went.