Santa Clarita Valley Search and Rescue volunteers took more than 100 local residents through the valley's winding and scenic hiking trails in recent weeks, teaching safety and raising cash.

The 12 Hikes in 12 Weeks event raised more than $3,000 for the SCV Search and Rescue team. The donations will go toward the purchase of a new truck for the unit.

"I was shocked at how many wonderful hiking trails we have in our back yards, literally," said Wendy Lorton of Santa Clarita, who went on a few of the hikes. "I didn't know we had so much in Santa Clarita."

Organizers intended to teach people about safe hiking practices and show them the wealth of trails that ring the valley, including Rice Canyon, paths around Mentryville, and routes around Golden Valley.

The Search and Rescue unit recently retired a Chevy Suburban with more than 200,000 miles on its odometer, said volunteer Ken Wiseman.

"It was time," he said.

The group spent about $27,000 on a new Toyota Tundra truck. Unit members and sheriff's deputies will use the new vehicle.

SCV Search and Rescue's golf tournament, the group's biggest fund-raiser, is coming up June 22.

For more information about the tournament, contact Wiseman at (661) 755-0611.