May 16, 2005

Snow climbing in Griffith Park?

When I go for training hikes in Griffith Park I usually use my hiking poles to which I've attached snow baskets. That occasionally results in inventive idiots asking, "where's the snow?" Oh boy, that still cracks me up.

Well, today there was snow in Griffith Park. In fact, carrying a heavy pack and climbing a steep slope with my hiking poles, it was almost like being in the "real" mountains. The snow was thin and powdery, so I didn't bother going back for my ice axe, I just plowed up the slope.

How is this possible, you ask?

...

Exactly! Due to this being the wonderland of Hollywood, they were filming a Hallmark Hall of Fame special in the park, and they'd covered a couple hundred feet of trail with "snow." They even had a couple Clydesdales. "Any big stars?" I asked. "Ann Haiche" was the response, so I kept hiking.

Now, the only problem is that there's only going to be a few days of rain over the next few months, so I have no idea how this stuff is going to ever go away. I even saw bits of "snow" about a half mile further on and on a different trail. One would have hoped that they could have done this at a place that's specifically for filming, rather than in a public park that's already struggling with the persistent and careless hand of man.

Posted to OutdoorSports at May 16, 2005 05:30 PM

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