Celebrate especially apropos National Trails Day in and around L.A.

In California, where we may soon have lessened access to state parks, it seems there has never been a better time to raise a glass — or lend a hand — in the name of public lands. And National Trails Day, on Saturday, June 6, is the perfect time to do it.

Launched in 1993 in celebration of the 200,000-some miles of U.S. trails, the annual day has been marked by all 50 states in past years, according to the American Hiking Society. And California — at least right now — offers plenty of ways to walk and work for nature’s benefit.

In Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, join REI, park staff and L.A. Conservation Corps in trail work in the Fern Canyon area. Necessary to-dos due to damage from the 2007 fires include the installation of new steps along the Fern Canyon Trail, the regrading of certain areas in danger of eroding, the removal of nonnative plants and the care of recently planted shrubs and trees.

Another service opportunity awaits on Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area land near  Malibu, where you can pitch in to work on trails in the Circle X Ranch area. This is a do-good task that should also involve a work-out, as the hiking you’ll undergo might range from 0.5 to two miles on trails that are “moderate” at their easiest.

At Deukmejian Wilderness Park in Glendale, the “Hike and Trails Fair” will offer the opportunity to join a family-friendly hike at a slow pace or a faster, steeper hike.

Down in Laguna Beach, at Crystal Cove State Park, people will be getting to work on the removal of nonnative plants along El Moro canyon trails.

For a fuller list of National Trails Day events throughout the state, see the American Hiking Society website.

- Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Photo: Inspiration Loop Trail in Will Rogers State Historical Park. Credit: Pete Thomas / Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at 3:35 pm by Susan Derby and is filed under California, Eco-Travel, Family & Kids, Los Angeles, Orange County. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.