by Timothy Rutt

The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy has planned an ambitious schedule of weekly Saturday hikes this fall, looking into the history and features of many of the area’s hiking trails.

Docent-led hikes will cover a range of topics, including local history, railroad history, the workings of the Mt. Lowe railway, birds, geology, and local flora and fauna.

Dates, times, and locations are:
Sept. 17, 9 a.m.: Mt. Lowe Railway to Falls
Sept. 24, 9 a.m.: Unexplored Rubio Canyon
Oct. 1, 9 a.m.: Unexplored Rubio Canyon
Oct. 8, 8 a.m.: Birding Hike
Oct. 15, 9 a.m.: Mt. Lowe Railway to Falls
Oct. 22, 9 a.m.: Geology of Local Foothills
Oct. 29, 9 a.m.: Mt. Lowe Railway to Falls
Nov. 5, 9 a.m.: Unexplored Rubio Canyon
Nov 12, 9 a.m.: Mt. Lowe Rail Mechanics
Nov. 19, 8 a.m.: Birding Hike
Dec. 3, 9 a.m.: Hike to Rubio’s East Ridge

Hiking boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and water in a day pack or holsterare recommended. Dogs are not allowed because some sections of the trails are narrow. You may encounter rattlesnakes, ticks, and poison oak. All hikers will be required to sign a waiver at the trailhead.

For more information on the series (including an individual hike description), go here.