Dear Hiking Friends,

The 2011 LATH Hiking Season has come to a close, but not the hiking spirit in each one of you. You remain the same nature-bound souls who thrive on the discovery of a Los Angeles that is lesser known by many who live in it. Or as we like to say “Rediscover Los Angeles!” Each smile, laugh, and awe experienced at each hike and group social shows the positive effect this wonderful group can have on individuals. It’s because of you that the LA Trail Hikers continue to hike, grow, and develop. It seems that this group can turn a typical suburbanite into someone who can appreciate the beauty and benefits of nature that surrounds them. Each one of you hiked with us with such enthusiasm this season, not because you had to, but because you had a passion for it. And, that energy is the very fuel that makes the group stronger every year.

This season created some amazing memories for many hikers. Each smiling group picture tells a story of the places explored, the people who were there, and the significance of the group. Every new hiker was able to explore more of Los Angeles than they may have originally anticipated. And those who have continued with the group, each hike meant getting to meet new friends and exploring new trails along with the old. We hope this hiking season was just as exciting for you as it was for us.

When the group was first formed, the group was intended to encourage people to get outdoors to find local natural treasures around their home cities or within a short drive. It was also hoped that those same people would become part of a more active lifestyle to promote a better quality of life for themselves and those around them. We found that many believed the act of hiking could only be achieved through long road trips up to high mountains afar only after packing hiking equipment deemed fit for Mt. Kilimanjaro. This type of misunderstanding hindered many people from actually going out to a local, state or national parks for a simple walk. And because of this, the group does try to educate new hikers with information that is better understood for those who have only experienced street adventures rather than those on trails. It seems that the group hasn’t changed much since then. In fact, it seems that the little-hiking-group-that-could continues to do just what it was set to do without much effort. Of course, it has evolved into much more, but still follows the same founding ideas.

With time we introduced hike leads to move and inspire the group to progress along each trail. And now, the LATH Hike Leads are the backbone of the group and deserve special recoginition for putting their time, commitment and heart into the group. Each one of the following individuals has contributed to the success of the 2011 LATH Hiking Season and their efforts should be rightly recognized with special thanks. Each hike this season would not have been realized had it not been for them:

Effin Gentry
Elizabeth Brienza
Irma Padilla
Jason Bazalar
Lorena Rodriguez
Luis Salazar
Mona Ibrahim
Patricia De Leon
Pattie Soltero
Tony Ramos

On behalf of the Leadership Team (named above), I thank you for being part of the LA Trail Hikers and hope you have enjoyed 2011 with us just as much as we have with you. A joyous holiday season to you and your family. We go off on our winter break, but we’re looking forward to hiking with you all again come 2012!

Sincerely,

Jason Bazalar
Founder/Organizer/Hike Lead
LA Trail Hikers

The LA Trail Hikers will be having an Open House + Potluck on Thursday, December 8, 2011. We’ll be having a season-ending open house with a Potluck where lead hikers will be answering questions about the type of hikes we do, recommended equipment, and anything else you wanted to know about hiking with us. This is also a great opportunity to tell us about any future hikes you might want the group to consider doing. Any other ideas, comments, or suggestions will be welcome. This is also a great opportunity for new and prospective members to meet with current hikers to get information and an idea of what we do. We’ll tell you how you can Rediscover Los Angeles!

NOTE: If you plan on bringing any food items for the potluck, please try to arrive a few minutes ahead of the indicated event time so we can get setup. We will also need volunteers to help setup prior. So if you can, please show up a bit early and just let the baristas know that you’re with the LA Trail Hikers to help setup.

Items to be discussed:

1. Early 2012 Hikes
2. New Hike Leads
3. Dog/Kid hike gauging.
4. General Hiking Tips
5. Road Trip Hikes
6. Hiking Shoes/Boots & Socks
7. Hiking poles
8. Other hike related topics by you!

We’ll get together at Casa De Luna Coffee House, in Bellflower,  at 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Make sure you get there before if you intend on buying something from the coffee house, this way we can get on with the social on time. By the way, they have great coffee & Tea. All members/fans of LA Trail Hikers, first-time hikers, and those simply interested in hiking are welcome to join in on this event. We hope to see you there!

NOTE: Casa De Luna Coffee House will offer hikers a 20% discount on their purchases on the day of the event.

http://www.casadelunacoffeehouse.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-De-Luna/264584832044

MAP:

The LA Trail Hikers take pride in the hiking community they have built and the quality of its long standing leadership team. Just recently the LA Trail Hikers had been on a search for a few new hike leads to join the core team of leaders that would start during the 2012 hiking season. Of  the candidates that were scouted, only a few were reached out to and admitted to try out for the position. Of those who continued the process, only those who showed the best skills, character, attitude, and leadership would move on to be considered by the LATH Leadership Team. The following are the results of the LATH Hike Lead Candidate try-outs.

We would like you to join us in celebrating the awarded individuals who will be added to the list of LATH Hike Leads in 2012:

Diana Herrera (Left)
Janiece Cordova (Right)
Jerry Reyes (Middle)

They have shown the utmost leadership skills we could find of those who entered the run for the position. They highly demonstrated the ability to lead and care for other as well as take charge under a set of general guidelines followed by all LATH Hike Leads. It is with great pleasure that we welcome Diana, Janiece, and Jerry to the team of LATH Hike Leads!

On behalf of the entire Leadership Team, congratulations!

Jason Bazalar
Founder/Organizer/Hike Lead
LA Trail Hikers

The LA Trail Hikers will be having an Open House on Thursday, September 15, 2011. We’ll be having lead hikers answering questions about the type of hikes we do, recommended equipment, and anything else you wanted to know about hiking with us. This is also a great opportunity to tell us about any future hikes you might want the group to consider doing. Any other ideas, comments, or suggestions will be welcome. This is also a great opportunity for new and prospective members to meet with current hikers to get information and an idea of what we do. We’ll tell you how you can Rediscover Los Angeles!

Items to be discussed:

1. Night hike preparation
2. General Hiking Tips
3. Dog/Kid hike gauging.
4. Sunscreen
5. Bug Repellent
6. Hiking Shoes/Boots & Socks
7. Hiking poles
8. Other hike related topics by you!

We’ll get together at Casa De Luna Coffee House, in Bellflower,  at 8:00pm . Make sure you get there before if you intend on buying something from the coffee house, this way we can get on with the social on time. By the way, they have great coffee & Tea. All members/fans of LA Trail Hikers, first-time hikers, and those simply interested in hiking are welcome to join in on this event. We hope to see you there!

NOTE: Casa De Luna Coffee House will offer hikers a 20% discount on their purchases on the day of the event.

http://www.casadelunacoffeehouse.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-De-Luna/264584832044

MAP:

The LA Trail Hikers will be doing something of extraordinary value to our community by donating blood this coming Saturday, August 27, 2011.  Just like hiking group revitalizes the life of our hikers, we are looking to help those in need of this life source. At least once every year, we will continue to give back in one way or another. Last year we participated in a 5K/10K walk/run for pancreatic cancer research. This year, we intend to go under the needle (literally) to show what our group can do for others. Join us as we  go out to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to go and donate. There is no need to be a prior hiker, or a hiker for that matter. So invite as many people as you can…together we can help enrich and save lives!

EVENT: LATH Blood Donation Drive

EVENT TIME: 9:00 am
(Although we are meeting as a group at this time, please note that the donation center will be open until 12:30pm to all individual later comers)

EVENT ORGANIZERS:  Pattie Soltero & Jason Bazalar

EVENT MEETING LOCATION:
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Meet in the Hospital Lobby)
4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

QUICK INFO:
- Goal: 30 Blood Donors
- Each donor needs to be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds.
- Parking will be validated!
- All donors will receive a coupon for a free pint of ice cream from Baskin Robbins!
- Last day to RSVP: August 25, 2011 on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184008098334881
- It is recommended that you do no (strenuous) physical activity for 24 hours. For this reason we will have an easy evening hike the next day (Sunday).

WHAT TO EXPECT:
1) You will read an Information Sheet and decide if you should give blood that day.
2) You will be asked questions about your medical history.
3) You will be asked to sign your form. The form says that you understand this sheet and that you have honestly answered all of our questions.
4) You will be given an opportunity to mark the Confidential Unit Exclusion ballot to let us know, in private, if we should or should not give your blood to another person.
5) The following will be measured: blood pressure, pulse and temperature and test a sample of your blood for anemia.
6) you will give blood and then relax for a while.

INFORMATION SHEET (Please Read):
CHLA Blood Donation Info Sheet

MAP & DIRECTIONS:

LA Trail Hikers List of hikes for August and September 2011*:

AUGUST
Thursday August 11 – Lower Arroyo Seco (Evening) (Level 1)
Sunday August 14 – Hollywood Sign (Level 5)
Wednesday August 17 – LATH 2 Year Anniversary Potluck Hike – Griffith Park (Evening) (Level 4)
Thursday August 18 – Whittier (Evening) (Level 4)
Saturday August 20 – La Tuna Canyon (Level 5) [Postponed]
Sunday August 21 – Eaton Canyon Falls (Level 5)
Thursday August 25 – Cherry Canyon Park (Evening) (Level 3)
Saturday August 27 – LATH Blood Drive @ Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Sunday August 28 – Griffith Park III (Evening) (Level 4)

SEPTEMBER
Thursday September 1 – Ernest Debs Park (Evening) (Level 4)
Saturday September 3 – Rose Bowl (Level 3) [Postponed]
Sunday September 4 – Topanga – Eagle Rock (Level 5)
Monday September 5 – Oak Creek (Level 7)
Thursday September 8 – Whittier (Evening) (Level 4)
Saturday September 10 – Arroyo Pescadero (Level 2)
Saturday September 10 – Palos Verdes (Level 4)
Sunday September 11 – Cherry Canyon Park (Level 4)
Thursday September 15 – LATH Open House @ Casa De Luna Coffee House
Saturday September 17 – Eaton Canyon Falls (Level 5)
Sunday September 18 – Claremont Hills Wilderness (Level 4)
Saturday September 24 – Bridge to Nowhere (Level 7)
Sunday September 25 – Griffith Park – Dante’s Peak (Level 4)
Thursday September 29 – Lower Arroyo Seco (Evening) (Level 1)

*Please note that, although not listed above, we will continue to have our on weekly Wednesday Night hikes out at Griffith Park and will be posted accordingly.

NOTE: The hike detail pages will not have the updated information, but will display the correct dates, times, and assigned hike lead as the hike approaches its scheduled date.

**EVENT UPDATE: We will be  between lifeguard tower 24 and 25 at Bolsa Chica. Please remember that there is a parking fee per vehicle, so don’t forget to bring some cash. We’ll see you all there!**

SOCIAL EVENT: LA Trail Hikers – Beach Party 2011

EVENT DATE: August 6, 2011

EVENT TIME: 8:00am – 10pm (All Day Event)

MEETING POINT:
Bolsa Chica State Beach
17851 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA

The entrance to the beach is on Pacific Coast Highway, about one and a half miles south of Warner Avenue. Latitude/Longitude: 33.6603 / -117.9983

LIFE GUARD TOWER: Between Lifeguard Tower 24 and 25

ITEM SIGNUP: Bringing something to the beach party? Let us know what goodies you’ll be bringing by putting your name and the items in this form:  http://bit.ly/q9bGTB

EVENT DESCRIPTION: The sun is hot and the LA Trail Hiker are ready for their 2011 Beach Party! Join us to enjoy the wonderful combination of great food, friends and families at Bolsa Chica State Beach!

This is a potluck-style event so bring a dish and drinks to share with others. It’s very important that you bring a chair and don’t forget your beach towels and a sweater for later that night. We recommend plenty of sunscreen and other beach-related items.

It gets very crowded this time of year, so if you don’t want to spend hours waiting in line and trying to find parking, it is advised that you come early and spend the day. We will have many BBQ’s there and will be cooking all day. Hope to see you all there!!!

PARKING FEE: $15.00 per vehicle (9 persons or less per vehicle)

INFORMATIVE LINKS:

• http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24289

MAP (Click on the Marker): 

The LA Trail Hikers will be having an Open House on Thursday, July 28, 2011. We’ll be having lead hikers answering questions about the type of hikes we do, recommended equipment, and anything else you wanted to know about hiking with us. This is also a great opportunity to tell us about any future hikes you might want the group to consider doing. Any other ideas, comments, or suggestions will be welcome. This is also a great opportunity for new and prospective members to meet with current hikers to get information and an idea of what we do. We’ll tell you how you can Rediscover Los Angeles!

Items to be discussed:

1. Challenges and Gear Preparation for the Bridge to Nowhere Hike (Water, Rash Ointment, Water, Long Brimmed Hats, Water, Absolutely No Jeans, Water, Light colored clothing, Water, River Sandals, etc.)
2. Picture taking on hikes levels 5 and up.
3. Dog/Kid hike gauging.
4. Sunscreen
5. Bug Repellent
6. Hiking Shoes/Boots & Socks
7. LATH Beach Party
8. Hiking poles
9. Other hike related topics by you!

We’ll get together at Casa De Luna Coffee House, in Bellflower,  at 8:00pm . By the way, they have great coffee & Tea. All members/fans of LA Trail Hikers, first-time hikers, and those simply interested in hiking are welcome to join in on this event. We hope to see you there!

NOTE: Casa De Luna Coffee House will offer hikers a 20% discount on their purchases on the day of the event.

http://www.casadelunacoffeehouse.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-De-Luna/264584832044

MAP:

List of hikes for June and July (+ Beach Party August date) 2011:

JUNE
Saturday June 4 – Arroyo Pescadero ( Level 2 )
Sunday June 5 – Henninger Flats ( Level 5 )
Saturday June 11 – Ernest Debs Park ( Level 3 )
Sunday June 12 – Arcadia Waterfall ( Level 4 )
Saturday June 18 – Rose Bowl ( Level 1 )
Sunday June 19 – Monrovia Canyon Falls ( Level 4 )
Saturday June 25 – Bridge to Nowhere ( Level 8 ) – ADVANCED GROUP
Sunday June 26 – Hollywood Sign ( Level 5 )

JULY
Saturday July 2 – Lower Arroyo Seco ( Level 1 )
Sunday July 3 – Echo Mountain (Evening) ( Level 5 )
Monday July 4 – Griffith Park II ( Level 4 )
Saturday July 9 – Fish Canyon Falls ( Level 4 )
Sunday July 10 – Eaton Canyon Falls  Whittier ( Level 5 )
Saturday July 16 – Solstice Canyon ( Level 2 )
Sunday July 17 – Winter Creek ( Level 6 )
Saturday July 23 – Inspiration Point ( Level 8 )
Sunday July 24 – TBA
Saturday July 30 – TBA
Sunday July 31 – Bridge to Nowhere ( Level 7 )

AUGUST (Only to identify the beach party)
Saturday August 6 – Beach Party – Bolsa Chica
Sunday August 7 – No Hike

The LA Trail Hikers will be going to Disneyland! We’ll be hiking Matterhorn Mountain….just kidding. We’ll be taking a break from hiking and will enjoy what the Happiest Place on Earth has to offer. We’ll be attending as a group and hope to stay together for the rest of the day, however, we understand if you decide to go your own way after being with the group for bit. We hope you join us on this fun-filled event. Last time we attempted this trip, we had some wet weather, but this time around we should be having sunny Southern California weather. The information for the meet up is listed below:

EVENT DATE: Saturday, May 21, 2011

MEET UP TIME: 9:00AM

EVENT ORGANIZER: Jason Bazalar

MEET UP LOCATION:  The interim DISNEYLAND sign in between the two park entrances, directly behind the main ticket booths.

TICKET INFORMATION:
Each participant will be accountable for their own ticket/parking/expenses to this event.   If you need pricing information, you can visit the Disneyland website:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/

We suggest the 1-Day 1-Park Ticket for this event, but you can get which ever you wish.

PARKING: Please note that there is a cost for parking. You can find the information at the following page:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/parking/

MAP:

DISCLAIMER: LA Trail Hikers and its Leads/Organizers/Participants do not take responsibility for any harm,bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By attending you confirming that you will not hold any hike lead/organizer, participant, LA Trail Hikers, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your well being in or outside of the park. You are fully responsible for yourself.