Jan. 6-7 Sat-Sun P/M Fort Braden Trails Overnight Backpack Inexperienced and experienced backpackers are welcome. Enjoy a night in the woods close to home. How-to-prepare training will be provided upon request. Meet at the trailhead, 12:00 noon Saturday, off Hwy 20 about one mile west of Coe’s Landing Rd. Howard Pardue (850) 386-1494 or 523-8525 hpardue@fs.fed.us

Jan. 7 Sun P/L Bear Creek Hike Hike the 5-mile Bear Creek loop trail over gently rolling terrain bordering the creek. Several interpretive stations are along the trail. Gwen Beatty (850) 942-7165 gfbeatty@yahoo.com

Jan. 9 Tues Apalachee Chapter Meeting Program: Geology & Paleontology from the Aucilla to the Apalachicola

Jan. 20 Sat P/L Apalachicola National Forest Hike the Florida Trail through pine woods, about 4 miles from Hwy. 319 to FR 321. Bring water, lunch and insect repellant, and dress in layers. Richard Graham (850) 878-3616 r_graham@lycos.com

Jan. 27 Sat P/M Alum Bluffs and Ravines Hike A scenic overlook of the Apalachicola River and interesting geologic features are worth the steep hike, about 4 miles round trip. Local geologist Harley Means will point out stratigraphic features along the way. You may want to bring a hiking stick. Linda Patton (850) 668-4334