Moonlight Academy Field Trip

Gather beneath the pines for a magical Autumnal Equinox transition! Join the coven for a Mabon camping retreat at Chilao Campground in the San Gabriel Mountains from Monday, September 21, to Tuesday, September 22, 2026. We will celebrate the harvest by campfire and hike into the depths of Devil's Canyon to welcome the Equinox sunrise.

Cosmic & Astrological Forecast

• The Waxing Gibbous Moon (76% Illumination): The Moon resides in Aquarius, bringing an air of visionary community connection and collaborative group magic. High in the eastern sky at sunset, it will bathe our base camp in brilliant light before setting a few hours before dawn.
• The Last Day of Virgo Season: The Sun sits at the final 30th degree of Virgo on September 21, providing the ultimate grounding energy for our harvest gratitude.
• The Dark Sunrise Hike: As the Aquarius Moon sets and the Sun crosses into Libra at dawn on September 22, we will experience a powerful, naturally dark window perfect for our silent dawn hike.

Gathering Details

• When: Monday, September 21 – Tuesday, September 22, 2026
• Where: Chilao Campground, Angeles National Forest (approx. 26 miles north of La Cañada on Angeles Crest Hwy)
• The Sunrise Ritual: We will leave camp early on Tuesday morning (Sept 22) to hike the Devil's Canyon Trail. This single-track trail drops into a beautiful canyon of old-growth Douglas firs. Note: The return hike is a steep uphill climb, so save your energy for the ascent!

What to Bring

• Hiking & Safety Essentials: A reliable headlamp or flashlight for the pre-dawn descent, sturdy hiking boots with good tread, and layers to shed as the sun warms the canyon.
• Camping Gear: Tent, warm sleeping bag, camp chair, and layers for the crisp 5,300-foot mountain night.
• Ritual & Feast: An autumn harvest item to share for our Monday night Mabon potluck (apples, root veggies, squashes, or ciders), and your personal ritual tools.
• Practicalities: Bring plenty of drinking water (water spigots are intermittent at camp, and there is no potable water at the trailhead), cash for the self-pay site fee, and a National Forest Adventure Pass to park at the Devil's Canyon Trailhead.