January/February calendar for upcoming hikes, trips and events

Get outdoors! The online Schedule of Activities (OARS) at the Angeles Chapter website (angeles.sierraclub. org) lists hundreds of hikes, backpacks, tours, bicycle rides, ski and snowshoe trips and more. Enter a date range online to find outings in your area and beyond. Here’s a sampling of upcoming events. Details can be found online.

6:30 p.m. Jan. 15
Program on Madagascar
Sierra Club leader Joe Young presents a program about his recent trip to Madagascar to the East San Gabriel Valley Group. Arrive at 6 p.m. for conversation and refreshments; program starts at 6:30 p.m. Covina Public Library, 234 N. Second Avenue, Covina). Contact: Joan Holtz at (626) 443-0706.

9 a.m. Jan. 26
Mt. Fuji in the Angeles National Forest
O: You won’t need your passport for this 10-mile ramble with 2,500 feet of gain that offers great views of the L.A. Basin. Mt Fuji is an unofficial name for a ridge above the Henniger Flats/Mt. Wilson Toll Road. Meet 9 a.m. at the gate at Pinecrest Ave. with an Asian-inspired food item to share. Organized by the Pasadena Group. Contact Leaders: Pam Allen, (626) 296-6911, ezadorah@hotmail.com; Maureen Conn, (616) 798-1016, mauconn@aol.com.

9 a.m. Feb. 2
La Vita Trail
O: The Orange County Group/ Puente Chino Hills Task Force leads this hike to a remove look through the back hills of Brea in Chino Hills State Park. It’s a four-mile loop with 1,100 feet of gain along a trail that crosses Sonome Creek. Meet 9 a.m. at Olinda Village, 200 Verbena Lane. Contact Leaders Eric Johnson, (714) 524-7763, ericsj@mindspring.com; Fred Reed, (714) 528-4841, fkreed@ msn.com

8 a.m. Feb. 9
Strawberry Peak Trail Restoration
O: Join the Angeles Chapter Forest Committee in helping restore the historic Strawberry Peak Trail that was damaged and remains closed by the 2009 Station Fire. Tools and instructions provided. Hiking is less than 4 miles round-trip. Reservations required; exact location and meeting details will be given to those who RSVP. Contact Leaders: Misha Askren, (323) 935-1492, misha. askren@gmail.com; Donald Bremner, (626) 794-2603, donbremner@earthlink.net.

9 a.m. Feb. 16
La Jolla Valley Loop
Join us for this moderately paced 8-mile hike with 1,200 feet of gain in Pt. Mugu State Park via the La Jolla Canyon Trail. The giant coreopsis should be in bloom this time of year! Summit Mugu Peak for fabulous views of the ocean. Meet 9 a.m. at the Malibu ride-share point. Organized by the Santa Monica Mountains Task Force. Leaders: Robert Baldwin, (818) 510-1274, rbaldwin@uclaextension.edu; Ron Rosien, (310) 474- 0349, glendon3@aol.com.

9 a.m. Feb. 23
Snowshoe/Cross- Country Ski Trip to Chilao Campground
Join the Natural Science Section for this easy-paced walk and ski along the roads to Chilao Campground. Look for animal tracks and other signs of winter life. Forest Service pass and tire chains required for this trip. Contact: Leaders: Ginny Heringer, (626) 793- 4727, ginnyh@ix.netcom.com; Jim Heringer.

9 a.m. Feb. 24
O: Mushroom Walk
What’s the difference between mushrooms, fungus and toadstools? Are they related and are they edible? Join the Natural Science Section for a Santa Monica Mountains hike featuring mycologist Florence Nishida who will hunt down mushrooms and explain their significance. Group size limited; e-mail leader for location, time and availability. Leader: Mei Kwan, (626) 355-1708, mkwan@ dslextreme.com; Laura Franciosi, (714) 879-1760, lauraf999@hotmail.com

March 2-3
O: Joshua Tree Bicycle Tour
Start at Cottonwood Springs in Joshua Tree National Park with optional hiking and camping on Friday. Ride highlights include the town of Joshua Tree and looping back through Twenty Nine Palms for a scenic desert mountains spin. Ride about 56 miles with 3,700 feet of gain on this trip sponsored by the Bicycle Touring Committee. Contact Leader: Jerry Tate, (626) 287-8426; j_dt@ sbcglobal.net.

9 a.m. March 9
San Clemente to Oceanside Bicycle Ride
Ride 46 miles mostly on bike paths through San Onofre State Beach and Camp Pendleton. Lunch at Oceanside Harbor; photo ID required for entrance to the military camp. Meet 9 a.m. at San Luis Rey Park, 109 Ave. San Luis Rey, San Clemente. Organized by the Bicycle Touring Section. Contact Leaders: Sylvia Stevenson, (949) 487-2660, Sylvia_stevenson@yahoo.com; Margot Lowe, (760) 842-7252, margotlowe1@gmail.com