It’s almost summer. With these recent temperatures into the high 90s, you need to take precautions before you set out on a hike. Heat brings certain dangers with it that are not present the rest of the year. It is wise to check the weather before you leave. It might be a nice, calm day in Santa Clarita,...

This is a beautiful time of the year. The recent rains, although we need more, were the stimulus for many plants to start flowering. In Santa Clarita, we are surrounded by hills that are outfitted with hiking trails maintained by the city of Santa Clarita, by the various parks such as Placerita Canyon...

Many youngsters who live in and around the Santa Clarita Valley have never had the opportunity to experience the outdoors, nature, hiking, wild animals, plants or wilderness. There is a growing body of scientific research that suggests children who are given early and ongoing positive exposure to nature...

Illegal dumping has become a chronic problem throughout Los Angeles County. But it is especially disturbing in Santa Clarita, because this is my home, and 10 years ago, it wasn’t like this. One of the reasons I moved to Santa Clarita was because it was safe and clean. What happened? Where’s the respect...

The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates and the Community Hiking Club combined their efforts to present an educational program about condors earlier this month. Nearly 150 individuals attended the program, including several Boy Scout troops. After the presentation, the Boy Scouts, parents and other...

Community Hiking Club schedule for January 2014:   Saturday, Jan. 11 – Quigley Canyon has 4 loops/trails. Total distance is about 6.0 miles. Gain of about 350 feet on one hill, with a tough, steep descent. Make sure you wear good boots. There are easy, moderate and steep areas on this hike,...

California condors, once on the brink of extinction, can now be seen soaring the skies above California, Arizona and northern Baja. In prehistoric times, they ranged all across America. Their numbers were greatly reduced in the late Pleistocene epoch, along with the demise of many large mammals. The...

Your dog relies on you to keep him safe on the trail. There are a lot of hazards out there you should be aware of to keep yourself and your best friend safe. Many people think of a hike as a place where their dog can run free and off of the leash. Unfortunately, this is not true. If a dog is running...

Community Hiking Club Schedule   Saturday, December 7-East Canyon to Mission Peak   This is a great hike to the top of East Canyon, and beyond to Mission Peak. The trail is actually a dirt road, which is currently in use by the SCE. You will follow this up approximately 3 miles before taking a traverse...

November 16 – Slide Mountain Today we are hiking to the top of Slide Mountain through a burn area. This is 12  miles round trip on a steep trail. We will hike to the fire lookout on the top of the mountain. There are incredible views of Lake Pyramid and Lake Piru. You will also see a 360 degree...