At an hour that most hikers would...

At an hour that most hikers would be at home, or warming themselves by a campfire after supper, Larry Shaffer will be leading a group through Eaton Canyon by the light of the full moon.

Shaffer, 43, begins his 14th year of “Moonwalks Without Astronauts” tonight, sponsored by the 184-acre Eaton Canyon Nature Center in Pasadena. Shaffer spends his days teaching science at an elementary school, but he reserves his nights for hiking under the moon and stars. He leads groups through the canyon once a month when the moon is full and also offers monthly twilight hikes.

“I was raised around Eaton Canyon, so it’s like my back yard,” he said.

For two hours, Shaffer will introduce others to his back yard. The group will listen for the hooting of great horned owls and the chirping of crickets. If they hear a rustle in the brush, they will pause in the hope of surprising a deer. He will have them track raccoons, rabbits and coyotes in

the canyon’s washes, still damp from recent rains and perfect for animal paw prints.

Shaffer’s group will stop to take a whiff of what he describes as the turpentine odor of California sagebrush, the menthol smell of black sage and the lemony scented Yorba Santa, the Indian medicinal herb.

“Walking at night, you have to condition yourself,” Shaffer said. “You have to use the senses more.”

Finally, they will get an eyeful of romance, contemplating sycamore and oak tree silhouettes against the moon.

“The full moon is always romantic,” Shaffer said. “We’ve had a couple of weddings come out of the moonlight hikes.”

The hike begins at 7:30 p.m. at the center, 1750 N. Altadena Drive. A $2 donation is suggested. Hikers should wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight and water. Dogs should be left at home.