Springing Into Action

Clear skies, cool winds and open campsites at the Angeles National Forest on Friday marked the beginning of a warm spring weekend--and for many, a chance to enjoy the great outdoors.

“This is the first time this year we’ve been able to go camping,” said Jon Everett, who made the trip north from Torrance on Friday afternoon with his wife, Jennifer, and children, Jonathan, 4, and Krizia, 7. “The kids always enjoy being outside, but after a couple of days, they want to go home to watch TV again.”

Unusually chilly mornings and evenings during the last few weeks were caused by an onshore flow of cool air, said John Sherwin, a meteorologist with WeatherData, which provides weather information to The Times. And despite some early morning clouds over the weekend there should be plenty of sunshine suitable for outdoor activities.

“[Clouds] should burn off pretty quickly and the rest of the day should be sunny,” Sherwin said.

The weekend weather should be perfect for everything from gardening to family outdoor fun.

Some local organized activities include the Poppy Festival in the High Desert--featuring rides and games from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The festival will be held at Lancaster City Park at 43011 N. 10th St. West.

Overnight camping is available at various state and federal sites throughout the county. But for the less adventurous, a number of day hikes are also scheduled.

Among them, a free bird walk will be held in Placerita Canyon State Park from 9 to 11 a.m. today. The hike will start at the Nature Center, 19152 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority will sponsor a nature walk through Towsley Canyon in the Santa Clarita Woodlands at 9 a.m. today. Participants should meet at the entrance to Ed Davis Park on The Old Road.

In Agoura, the Sierra Club and Topanga Canyon Docents will lead a free nature walk through the Peter Strauss Ranch beginning at 10 a.m. today at Mulholland and Troutdale drives.

And for those who prefer parking lots over scenic trails: The Health Fair Expo will be a free event sponsored by Mission Community Hospital to be held at Panorama Mall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today--featuring medical services such as mammography screenings and immunizations.

The forecast calls for mostly clear skies with highs in the 70s in the valleys, Sherwin said. Coastal areas can expect some fog and slightly more clouds with highs in the low 70s possibly dipping into the 60s.