Los Angeles Times and Zócalo Public Square will co-host a Jan. 31 hike from 9 a.m. to noon through Placerita Canyon Natural Area, an east-west canyon east of Santa Clarita with lush oak woodland, chaparral and a seasonal creek.

Times staff writers Jaclyn Cosgrove and Deborah Vankin will lead 40 hikers, starting with a gentle stroll to the Oak of the Golden Dream, where the first authenticated gold discovery by colonizers took place in California in 1842. Then the group will hike along Canyon Trail, which will be 3.6 miles round trip.

The hike includes an area where natural “white oil” bubbles up from the earth, which locals reportedly used to collect to fill their Ford Model T fuel tanks.

Parking is free and easy. We will meet in front of the Placerita Canyon Nature Center (19152 Placerita Canyon Road in Newhall).

We will have water bottles and snacks for attendees, but you’re also welcome to bring your own. You must be 18 or older and will be required to sign a waiver prior to attending. (Please consider arriving 15 minutes early to leave time for waiver signing.)

Note: The hike will be rescheduled if rain is in the forecast.