Published June 11, 2010 12:35PM
Los Angeles, lace up your boots: This weekend is the second Big Parade, where tons of Angelenos will converge for a 35-mile hike through some of that city’s most famous stairs and streets. You could even call it urban backpacking, as they plan to camp midway through at the Silverlake Rec Center.
BACKPACKER correspondent Dan Koeppel wrote an upcoming feature on last year’s inaugural Big Parade (look for it in September’s issue), and he’s on the scene for this year’s even bigger hike. Here’s a bit more:
The Big Parade is the most accommodating, fun, accessible two-day, 35-mile, action/joy/friend-filled walk in the history of the Universe. It will be held in Los Angeles on Saturday/Sunday June 12th and 13th. And seriously: you can do it, because the walk is designed for everyone – we make it easy for you to come along for a mile, an hour, a day, or the entire thing.
Like any hike, the Big Parade aims to hit up some of L.A.’s Coolest landmarks, including a final hike up six stairs to the Hollywood sign. Paraders can also look out for:
– A “backcountry” bushwhack along a secret dirt road between Silverlake and Echo Park.
– A cross-country segment that runs through Griffith Park.
– Landmarks that are famous, not-so-famous, infamous, and just-plain-weird (over thirty of them, mapped and ready for viewing)
– A marching band.
– Visits with community groups and local organizations.
– AND OTHER SURPRISES!
A quick check of the Los Angeles forecast calls for mostly sunny weather with highs of 73 degrees. Perfect weather for a hike…or a parade. Find out how you can join the Big Parade here.
—Ted Alvarez