A Walk in Honor of the Winter Solstice

Tuesday marks the winter solstice, when the sun is farthest south of the Equator and the shortest day of the year occurs in the Northern Hemisphere.

To mark the occasion, the Sierra Club’s Orange County group takes a stroll along bridle paths winding through Fullerton. Flashlights and warm jackets will be required equipment for this walk, which begins at 6 p.m.

These midweek, after-work conditioning hikes in North County are a weekly event during the longer days of summer, but they drop to monthly in the winter. Other Sierra Club members organize regular walks in other parts of the county as well.

Ron Jones, assistant leader of the Tuesday walk (his wife, Leora Jones, is the leader), said the event is open to non-members and can serve as an introduction to the club’s events, which range from short walks in the local hills to lengthy backpacks in the Sierra Nevada and beyond.

The Angeles chapter of the Sierra Club, which includes the Orange County group, is the largest Sierra Club chapter in the country.

Usually, the winter midweek walks are held on a night near the full moon, but the club is making an exception for the solstice. Equestrian paths are used most frequently for the after-dark walks because they’re maintained, level, fairly smooth and more or less straight, Ron Jones said. “Fullerton is blessed with a lot of good bridle-walking trails.”

The walks are very social events, Jones said, adding that in the summer, groups reach 40 or more, but in the winter, 10 is a more typical number. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

Tuesday’s event will be moderately paced, and the group will stay together.

“It’s a good walk for beginners and people in modest condition,” Jones said, adding that the group doesn’t proselytize but that club membership information is available for the asking.

* What: Fullerton winter solstice walk.

* When: Tuesday, Dec. 21, at 6 p.m.

* Where: Meet at North Orange County Municipal Court, 1275 N. Berkeley Ave., Fullerton.

* Whereabouts: From the Riverside (91) Freeway, go north on Harbor Boulevard past Chapman Avenue to Berkeley Avenue, and turn left. The courthouse will be on the left; meet at the upper parking lot.

* Wherewithal: Free. No reservations required.

* Where to call: (714) 773-5570.