Endeavor: The View from Griffith Observatory

At least a thousand people crowded the lawn outside the Griffith Park Observatory waiting out 90-degree-plus temperatures to look skyward Friday for the space shuttle Endeavor's victory lap around Southern California.

People arrived as early as 4 a.m. to await the opening of the Observatory gates about an hour later.

Some gathered in the hills to get their fix from hiking trails and fire roads.

At least eight people received treatment for heat-related injuries, including one who was airlifted by an LAFD chopper from a trail as crowds exited the area just before 1 p.m.

Cars clogged roadways in and out of the Observatory. Many chose to walk in or ride the shuttle buses provided from the Greek Theater.

Much of the talk on the Observatory lawn was about what route the 747 carrying the shuttle and its two escort planes would take.

Limited access to Wi-Fi and wireless helped keep everyone guessing--especially when the convoy briefly buzzed the east side of the Observatory around 11:55 a.m. and then headed south to Long Beach, a deviation from its planned route.

"Would it be back?" was everyone's question.

It was, twice: first approaching from the west over the Hollywood Hills for a loop around and back; and then again for another run eastward behind the Observatory itself.

Watch the attached video and you'll hear the cheers and applause for the final pass of the low-flying armada.

In nearby Silver Lake and Echo Park, residents also took to the hills for a great view of the shuttle.

The apex of Micheltorena Street in Silver Lake attracted a crowd, as did Cerro Gordo above Echo Park.

Did you have a chance to see Endeavor?Where?

Related:

Top Ten User Images of the Shuttle (Patch)