A Walk on the Dark Side : Night hikers enjoy a different experience of the mountains and canyons near the Valley.

Night had fallen in the Santa Monica Mountains.

A dozen or so hikers paused on a craggy overlook at Charmlee Natural Reserve in Malibu to watch the sun set in a blaze of crimson over the ocean. Now, under the light of the full moon and serenaded by a cacophonous melody of frogs, they picked their way back to the trail head.

A rustle pierced the darkness, and the walkers stopped in their tracks. What was that?

“Could be a deer,” observed ranger Matt Kouba, who accompanied the group. “Could be a bobcat. Could be a coyote. Or it could be our imagination.”

Giggling, the hikers continued on their way. “The kids will sleep good tonight,” Dorothy Black of Chatsworth said in a satisfied voice as her children, Selina, 9, and Joe, 8, completed the three-mile walk.

Such encounters with nature take place almost every night on organized evening hikes in the mountains and canyons in and near the San Fernando Valley. Walkers who venture out after sunset will find a welcome respite from workday woes, congenial company of fellow hikers and a chance to become acquainted with local wilderness areas.

“These walks are for people who get ‘four-wall-itis,’ ” said Jill Swift of Tarzana, who leads regular night walks through Caballero Canyon. “The hikes give people the opportunity to get away from their structured environment and smell the wonderful damp evening air and hear the lovely natural sounds. Walking through chaparral is like walking in an herb garden. And people hear the coyotes howling and the birds singing their sweet little songs as they settle down for the night. People are delighted with the great sense of well-being and freedom they have after a hike.”

While day walkers marvel over colorful spring wildflower displays, night trekkers observe a whole different set of natural wonders.

“Most of the wildlife comes out in the evening. Because we are under cover of darkness, we can get closer to them,” said Kouba, the ranger. “And we can watch the sun set and the moon rise, which is really neat.”

As our ability to see diminishes, our other senses become more acute, Kouba added. Sagebrush smells spicier, the damp air feels cleaner on our skin, the animals’ wild howls sound nearer and clearer.

There’s another sound heard on the trail after dark--bongo drums.

Musicians, including harpists, violinists, bongo players and folk singers, regularly join the night hikers at Charmlee Natural Reserve. Evening hikes in other areas are likely to feature storytellers, bird watchers or meditators.

“Very interesting people show up,” said Carolyn Greene, a Thousand Oaks environmental planner who leads regular evening walks through Rancho Sierra Vista near Newbury Park. “You can imagine what kind of people are brought out by the full moon.”

Paths to Relaxation

Some upcoming evening hikes:

Caballero Canyon: 7 p.m. every Friday, rain or shine. Also 7 p.m. July 4. Trail begins at the south end of Reseda Boulevard (about two miles south of the Ventura Freeway). Walk along a creek into the canyon to Mulholland Drive, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views. About three miles. Beginners welcome. Call the Sierra Club, (213) 386-4287.

Charmlee County Natural Area: Full moon hikes 7 p.m. April 25, May 25 and June 23. Summer solstice hike June 21. Twilight hike 6 p.m. May 21. Park is four miles inland from Pacific Coast Highway on Encinal Canyon Road in Malibu. Easy walks offer views of the sunset over the Pacific. Full moon and summer solstice hikes accompanied by live music and storytellers. About three miles. Beginners welcome. For twilight hikes, call (818) 347-1817; for full moon and solstice walks, call (310) 457-7217.

Franklin Canyon: 5 and 6:30 p.m. April 23, 5 p.m. April 24, 5:30 p.m. May 8, 7 p.m. May 10, 6:30 p.m. May 14, 5:30 p.m. May 21, 7 p.m. May 23, 6 p.m. June 11, 6:30 p.m. June 18, 7:30 p.m. June 21, 7 p.m. June 22, 6 p.m. June 25. Various walks for bird-watchers, stargazers, meditators and hikers of all ages. For information, call (310) 858-0117.

Griffith Park: 7 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Meet at the upper merry-go-round parking lot (east side of the park off Riverside Drive). Slow, moderate and fast hikes of three to seven miles. No beginners on Wednesdays. Call the Sierra Club, (213) 386-4287.

Malibu Creek State Park: 5 p.m. April 30, 6:30 p.m. June 11. Park entrance is just south of the intersection of Las Virgenes and Malibu Canyon roads. Easy walk to Century Lake. About 2 1/2 miles. Beginners welcome. Call (818) 347-1817.

Rancho Sierra Vista: 7 p.m. April 24, 7:30 p.m. May 21. Park is at Potrero and Pinehill roads in Newbury Park. About 1 1/2 miles. Call (805) 376-3036.

For information, contact the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, (818) 597-9192; Mountains Parks Information Service, (800) 533-PARK, or the Sierra Club, (213) 386-4287.

A Few Suggestions

Some suggestions for a safe and comfortable walk after the sun sets:

* Carry a flashlight. While you may not need it on moonlit paths, you’ll feel better having it with you.

* Bring a light jacket or sweat shirt. The weather may be comfortable when your hike begins, but evening temperatures can drop many degrees, especially near the ocean. Long pants and long sleeves protect you from poison oak and scratches from chaparral.

* Wear sturdy shoes. Lightweight, mid-ankle hiking boots with a good tread are best. Break them in before hitting the trail.

* Fill your canteen. At least one quart of water per person is recommended.

* Stay on the trail. You’ll avoid brushing against poison oak, and you’ll reduce your chances of getting lost.