Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Things not to do in Griffith Park, L.A. CA

2 views
Skip to first unread message

Chris Kelly

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 1:31:56 AM8/24/02
to
1. Don't spray paint, carve, affix or otherwise attach anything,
ranging from Jim Morrison stickers to your street name to rocks,
trees, pipes, posts, benches, fences, or any other part of the natural
or man-made environment.
2. Only dispose of PET bottles, napkins, wrappers, or any other
garbage in the garbage cans, not in the bushes, on trails, in trees,
or the like.
3. Don't urinate right inside the little "chimney" just past the
Observatory on the way to Mt. Hollywood. When I bring my hiking poles
with me, I like to throw them down into said chimney before descending
(yes, after looking and yelling "rock"). I don't like it when my
hiking poles fall into your urine. This only happened once, but,
seriously, I don't know what the person that did that was thinking.
Could it have been a dog or a wee tyke? Not unless they'd had lots and
lots to drink. There are plenty of bushes around, why couldn't you
have used one of them?
4. Don't smoke or start fires, there have already been two or three
arson fires this year.

Which brings me to:
5. Don't mountain bike in Griffith Park. There are signs before each
dirt trail saying "No Bicycles." The rangers say no mountain biking.

Nonetheless: Earlier today I biked from the L.A. Zoo to the
Observatory via Crystal Springs Drive/ Los Feliz/Hillhurst/Vermont.
Then, seeing as my upward progress was blocked by the lack of asphalt,
I locked up the bike at the Observatory, and hiked (i.e., on foot) up
to Mt. Hollywood.

Just before reaching the summit, such as it is, I espied a spry
60-something Sierra Club type. He started up the short but steep slope
just ahead of me, and he actually managed to pull even further ahead.
And, I wasn't even carrying 50 lbs. as I occasionally do.

Anyways, when we both got to the summit, another party soon joined us,
none other than one of those dreaded mountain bikers. Mr. Sierra Club
took issue with Mr. MTB. "You should be glad there isn't a ranger
around." "Hey, they're kewl with it. As long as I'm kewl, it's OK" was
the reply, as well as something like "the park's for the people."
Anyways, Mr. MTB wasn't too very apologetic about it. As I was
leaving, he said "have a nice hike" a couple times, but I ignored him.
About the third time he wished me well, I decided to stop ignoring
him, and I told him that Mr. Sierra Club didn't take too kindly to him
bending the rules for his own enjoyment. I told him Mr. Sierra Club is
the type who'd complain, either about Griffith Park or perhaps when
access issues come up elsewhere. I told him that he was making MTBers
look bad.

I didn't go into the suggestion that if he has a problem with the
Griffith Park rules, he should either attempt to change them through
the proper channels, or perhaps organize a genuine civil disobedience
ride in the fashion of Critical Mass. Since my first suggestions
didn't meet with anything more than a smarmy reply, I don't think he
would have got the more constructive suggestions anyway.

BTW, on the way back I saw them filming the FOX-TV megahit '24',
starring Kiefer Sutherland, and he is very glad I took these shots:

http://www.pbase.com/samizdat/kiefer24

Since I'm already pontificating: these shots were taken with a Minolta
DImage5. While I greatly enjoy the camera, it has several downsides.
First of all, it's to a papparrazzi/candid shot camera as a motorhome
is to a skateboard. It's large, heavy, lopsided, and its silver finish
is the epitome of obtrusiveness. It wouldn't know how to do fast burst
shots or sub-one-second focusing to save its batteries. And, it
doesn't go wide enough. But, for ~$500 from NYC, it's a good camera.


-----
http://www.lonewacko.com
The Lone Wacko Wilderness Guide

G.T.

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 3:06:21 AM8/24/02
to
Chris Kelly wrote:
> 1. Don't spray paint, carve, affix or otherwise attach anything,
> ranging from Jim Morrison stickers to your street name to rocks,
> trees, pipes, posts, benches, fences, or any other part of the natural
> or man-made environment.

Come on, if I didn't have anything to read while I poached I'd be bored to
tears and then would likely run over a cornball Sierra Club'r.

> 2. Only dispose of PET bottles, napkins, wrappers, or any other
> garbage in the garbage cans, not in the bushes, on trails, in trees,
> or the like.

Please, no! I'm fascinated by sparkly bits in the bushes.


> 3. Don't urinate right inside the little "chimney" just past the
> Observatory on the way to Mt. Hollywood.

Ooops, I though it was a toilet. It won't happen again! I promise.

> 4. Don't smoke or start fires, there have already been two or three
> arson fires this year.
>

I'll absolutely agree with you on that one.

> Which brings me to:
> 5. Don't mountain bike in Griffith Park. There are signs before each
> dirt trail saying "No Bicycles." The rangers say no mountain biking.
>

Eat my fuck. I have a right to practice my religion.


>
> BTW, on the way back I saw them filming the FOX-TV megahit '24',
> starring Kiefer Sutherland, and he is very glad I took these shots:
>
> http://www.pbase.com/samizdat/kiefer24

Just what I love. Photos of TV crew, those folks that think they are
creating the greatest gift to culture.

Sasquatch was very happy I took this shot with my 1991 Olympic Stylus:

http://www.2fortheroad.net/2002trip/ugly_mug1.jpg


>
> Since I'm already pontificating: these shots were taken with a Minolta
> DImage5. While I greatly enjoy the camera, it has several downsides.
> First of all, it's to a papparrazzi/candid shot camera as a motorhome
> is to a skateboard. It's large, heavy, lopsided, and its silver finish
> is the epitome of obtrusiveness. It wouldn't know how to do fast burst
> shots or sub-one-second focusing to save its batteries. And, it
> doesn't go wide enough. But, for ~$500 from NYC, it's a good camera.
>

I've got camera envy!

Greg
--
"Why does a man with nothing to say, he always seems to talk?" M. Riley
Marc Riley says there is nothing at http://www.2fortheroad.net

Arch Stanton

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 1:36:54 PM8/24/02
to
Chris Kelly wrote:

Griffith Park is right in my back yard, I ride there all the time. The
only problems I encounter are from equestrians that say that they have
more rights to the land than us. Those dangerous, uncontrollable, trail
destroying horses are the real annoyance.

Arch


ClydesdaleMTB

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 2:12:23 PM8/24/02
to

Arch Stanton wrote:
> The
> only problems I encounter are from equestrians that say that they have
> more rights to the land than us. Those dangerous, uncontrollable, trail
> destroying horses are the real annoyance.


Whaaaa, whaaaa, whaaaa....


Arch Stanton

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 5:22:11 PM8/24/02
to
ClydesdaleMTB wrote:

Quit whining fat boy !!


ClydesdaleMTB

unread,
Aug 24, 2002, 5:50:36 PM8/24/02
to

Kettle wrote:
> Pot:


>>Kettle wrote:
>>>only problems I encounter are from equestrians that say that they have
>>>more rights to the land than us. Those dangerous, uncontrollable, trail
>>>destroying horses are the real annoyance.
>>
>>Whaaaa, whaaaa, whaaaa....
>
>
> Quit whining fat boy !!


Exaclty what I was thinking.

--
John G
keep singletrack single

R_G

unread,
Aug 25, 2002, 11:09:00 AM8/25/02
to
What is the trail like from the Obsy to Mt. Hollywood? Would an experinced
hiker consider it steep or gentle?

"Chris Kelly" <ab...@tolstoy.com> wrote in message
news:3d670c16...@news.concentric.net...> I locked up the bike at the

Chris Kelly

unread,
Aug 25, 2002, 2:33:21 PM8/25/02
to
On Sun, 25 Aug 2002 15:09:00 GMT, "R_G" <rg200...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>What is the trail like from the Obsy to Mt. Hollywood? Would an experinced
>hiker consider it steep or gentle?

The main trail is wide and gentle, gaining 500' in 1.25 miles. I was
taking a shortcut through the "chimney" and up the short but steep
section as described in the original message. Er, why do you ask?

0 new messages