Winter Solstice Night Hike (Night 2)

NOTE: Because there is a waitlist for the Saturday 12/20 hike, I'm creating this Night 2 event. Please RSVP for whichever date is most convenient for you.

NOTE: We will be hiking in the dark on uneven terrain, a combination which isn't appropriate for small children. Therefore, I'm requesting no kids younger than 13 attend. Please contact me if you have any questions or wish to discuss exceptions.

Let's celebrate midwinter, the solstice, the longest night of the year, and the return of the sun with an evening hike in Irvine Regional Park.

The hike will start an hour or so before sunset. This will give us the opportunity to see the diurnal animals settle down for the evening, and the nocturnal animals begin to stir- paying attention to any silhouettes in the treetops and flight paths against the sky. As the light turns to darkness, we will focus on listening for animals from the calls of owls to the buzzing of insects.

Here are a few of the topics we'll be learning about:

- What we mean by "the solstice" and why it was important to our ancestors
- Winter astronomy
- The science behind various pagan winter traditions
- Our resident nocturnal birds, mammals, and amphibians
- Winter plants important to the ecosystem
- Hibernation and other forms of energy conservation in cold climates

If you've never hiked at night, but have wanted to try, this will be a great first step. Irvine Regional Park is safe, and you can't get lost, and we'll never be much more than a mile as the crow flies from our vehicles.

I've capped attendance for this event, so please join the waitlist and I'll try to accommodate as the event gets closer.

Location: Irvine Regional Park.

Starting point: Parking Lot P located in the far east end of the park. Look for the Socal Sciences Hikes banner typically hung from my CRV, and the guy with long hair, beard, and cowboy hat.

Distance: Approximately four miles (90-120 minutes)

Elevation gain: Minimal, but there is some

Terrain: Dirt trail, rocky trails, pavement, concrete

Difficulty: Beginner

Age: 13 and older due to even terrain in the darkness. Contact me to discuss exceptions.

Recommended gear:
- Footwear suitable for dirt paths, creek beds, and pavement
- Clothing suitable for the weather
- Water
- Snacks (if desired)
- Headlamp or flashlight with red light setting
- Binoculars, monocular, or spotting scope

Cost: This event is free, but if you enjoy your time and learn something, tips/donations are graciously accepted. Creating these events is a labor of love, but still time consuming.

No Show Policy: In order to host as many people as possible, we keep track of no shows. After two no shows, you will be placed on the waitlist when signing up for a new event, and moved to the "going" list if space is available the night before the event.

Questions: If you have any questions, please message me through Meetup or text 424-244-0334.

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