July 30th - Sounding my barbaric yawp...
Over the years I have come to enjoy night hiking.
There is something magical about night hiking.
The sun sets, the mountains are lit with the last light of dusk.
Elk and deer are grazing.
The surrouding land has a stillness about it that you just don't get during the day.
Last night I did a full moon hike of Mt. Audubon.
This non-technical 13er is very popular. And for good reason. Awesome views of the Continental Divide and the ever present Longs Peak. Easy approach and gradual trail for all but the last ~1/2 mile.
As such, it is almost always busy on a weekend.
At night? We had it to ourselves.
The hike started at dusk and we popped out at treeline shortly before the moon rose above the clouds. Once the moon rose above the clouds the terrain was simply awesome. The silver light splashed over the rocks and tundra. Deep shadows were formed by the mountains surrounding us. The stars were above. A headlamp was not needed at all.
We made it to the summit, enjoyed the fine views and could not believe our good fortune in terms of the weather. Not too cold, not windy at all, the moon was not obscured by clouds.
After enjoying the summit, we made it back down the trail and and into the woods. Picas went EEEP as we headed down. Made it back to the car and drove back to Boulder and into the early morning hours.
Last night was easily one my most memorable nights of hiking.
If you have never walked by the light of the full moon, you really should. It is unique, powerful and memorable way to spend time in the outdoors.
The moon should still be bright tonight...what are you waiting for?
I also wrote a quick article about night hiking that was published recently as well.
There is something magical about night hiking.
The sun sets, the mountains are lit with the last light of dusk.
Elk and deer are grazing.
The surrouding land has a stillness about it that you just don't get during the day.
Last night I did a full moon hike of Mt. Audubon.
This non-technical 13er is very popular. And for good reason. Awesome views of the Continental Divide and the ever present Longs Peak. Easy approach and gradual trail for all but the last ~1/2 mile.
As such, it is almost always busy on a weekend.
At night? We had it to ourselves.
The hike started at dusk and we popped out at treeline shortly before the moon rose above the clouds. Once the moon rose above the clouds the terrain was simply awesome. The silver light splashed over the rocks and tundra. Deep shadows were formed by the mountains surrounding us. The stars were above. A headlamp was not needed at all.
We made it to the summit, enjoyed the fine views and could not believe our good fortune in terms of the weather. Not too cold, not windy at all, the moon was not obscured by clouds.
After enjoying the summit, we made it back down the trail and and into the woods. Picas went EEEP as we headed down. Made it back to the car and drove back to Boulder and into the early morning hours.
Last night was easily one my most memorable nights of hiking.
If you have never walked by the light of the full moon, you really should. It is unique, powerful and memorable way to spend time in the outdoors.
The moon should still be bright tonight...what are you waiting for?
I also wrote a quick article about night hiking that was published recently as well.
posted by Paul Mags at 3:01 PM
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