Attention birders, railroad enthusiasts and serious hikers: AFC's final docent-led hikes of the season may be right up your alley.

Paul Ayers will lead two adventurous hikes along newly restored trails to the east ridge of Rubio Canyon, Kathi Ellsworth will conduct a birding hike, and engineer John Harrigan will explain the technical workings of the Mt. Lowe Railway.

For each hike, we strongly recommend hiking boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and water in a day pack or holster to keep your hands free. Dogs are not allowed because some sections of the trails are narrow. All hikers will be required to sign a waiver at the trailhead.

Thanks, and we'll see you on the trail.

Sat., Nov. 5, 9 AM: Historic Trail Loop. Meet in Altadena at the intersection of Loma Alta Drive and Camp Huntington Drive, just east of the bridge. Join local trails expert and railroad historian Paul Ayers on a strenuous loop deep into Rubio Canyon, along recently restored trails. Ayers will discuss landmarks visible from the trails: the former site of the Mt. Lowe Railway, the Great Incline and various Echo Mountain sites. This is a difficult uphill hike of about 1.5 miles each way, with multiple sections on narrow trails near sheer drops. Experienced hikers only, please.

Sat., Nov. 12, 9 AM: Mt. Lowe Rail Mechanics. Meet at the trailhead off Rubio Vista Drive in Altadena. The Mount Lowe Railway was a feat of engineering when it was constructed in the late 19th century: the third in a series of scenic mountain railways in America, with a funicular system built by the man who designed San Francisco's cable cars. Learn about the technical workings of this incredible system in a hike along the railway's former route with John Harrigan, an electrical engineer and the author of Mt. Lowe Power. The hike is demanding at points, about a mile each way with several high narrow steps near a sheer drop, and a scramble over rocks.

Sat., Nov. 19, 9 A.: Birding Hike. Meet in Altadena at the intersection of Loma Alta Drive and Camp Huntington Drive, just east of the bridge. Learn about birds of the local foothills with Kathi Ellsworth of the Pasadena Audubon Society. Among bird species that have been observed in the local area are the red-shouldered and red-tailed hawk, the merlin, the wrentit, the northern mockingbird, the California thrasher, the California quail and the mourning dove. Remember to bring binoculars.

Sat., Dec. 3, 9 AM: Hike to Rubio's East Ridge. Meet in Altadena at the intersection of Loma Alta Drive and Camp Huntington Drive, just east of the bridge (click here for directions). Join local trails expert and railroad historian Paul Ayers on a strenuous hike to the east ridge of Rubio Canyon. From a vantage point high on the canyon wall, Ayers will discuss landmarks of the Mt. Lowe Railway, and point out artifacts he’s discovered during his decade-plus maintaining trails in the canyon. This is a difficult uphill hike of about 1.5 miles each way, with multiple sections on narrow trails near sheer drops. Experienced hikers only, please.