Hills and stairs Elysian Heights - 4.5 miles

Why do this one? Elysian Heights is a neighborhood of hills, beauty, and intrigue north of the lake-adjacent Echo Park and uphill and south of the river-adjacent Frogtown. Many of you know it from previous walks with me, on your own, or with others. The place is extraordinary and never fails to impress me. Our walk has narrow streets, eclecticism, 4 public stairways, brilliant views in all directions, some brief Elysian Park trail, sensational topography, Randyland, and Fellowship Park and the realm of Dave P.

What is the nature of the walking? The walking has lots of up’s and downs. Some are steep. We actually will avoid the most strenuous of the stairway climbs this time but ya still gotta get up those hills, come back down steeply, and do it again. There are some climbs both on pavement and on dirt trail that will cause most of us to gasp for air.

What’s the effort level? Since this event is on the short side in miles and minutes, you could probably call it a 1 on the Inman scale where "4" is the highest. Our exertion is short but repeatedly intense.

Is this a new route or a repeat? This is nearly the same walk that we did around the solstice last June but that was done between evening and darkness. In daylight, I think that we will take more time so I added a restroom opportunity. Of course the Big Parade, and Stairtrek, and the Inman 300, and Secret Stairs, etc have been all over this area. I am picking some new blocks this time that I have never walked.

About the start point? We start on a residential block – one of my “nothing there” start points selected for ample free curb parking. If you are a transit user, Metro 92 and 93 stop nearby but you need to climb one steep hill on your own to meet us. There is no restroom at the start point and if you have travelled any distance to join this walk, you will need to allow time to get in the vicinity early and find some facilities before driving the last bit to where we meet.

What about the restroom and sit down breaks during the walk?: We will have one 20 minute break at Lady Byrd Café on Echo Park Avenue. This comes at the 2/3’s mark of our walking. You can get a coffee or tea or juice beverage. You need to purchase something to use their restroom.

Is there a long food break? No

Any featured architects? There are some eccentric oddities that will capture our attention. I will certainly take a few minutes to talk about the Blackbirds residential village deigned by Barbara Bestor. 

Any restrictions or cautions? If you have knee or joint issues, you really need to pause and think before signing up for this one. This walk is posted as part of a group of 5 walks taking place between January 25 and February 22. You may come on as many as you are able to locate space on BUT you may not reserve more than 3 before January 26. After that, come back to the “box office”; see what spots remain and book others if you want.

Attendance is limited. You must register first come first served for one of the 18 available spots. There is a $5 fee to register. You may not reserve more than 2 spots per booking. There is also a provision to grab a standby without charge and I will let you know in the last few days before the event if an opening has popped up for you.

I use this platform to send emails to booked participants about two days before any walk. That includes the exact meeting location. If you have a reservation, always look for that additional communication because there will always be last-minute tips and there might be a last-minute consideration. Check your spam. If you don’t see that email, please reach out to me 24 hours before the start. It is hard for me to react on-time

Event Waiver information:

By registering for this event you are releasing Robert Inman from any liability for damages from illness, injury and/or death that arises out of, or is connect with, or in any manner relates to, your participation with organized hikes or walks organized and guided by Robert Inman.

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