Halloween Night Hike in Irvine Regional Park - Night 2

+++ Due to popular demand, this is a repeat of the event scheduled for Saturday October 11. Please RSVP for whichever night works best for you. +++

NOTE: I'm rating this event as PG-13. Some of the topics we will discuss are mature. 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.

Spooky season is upon us so let's celebrate all of the creepy-crawlies and things that go bump in the night with an evening gathering in Irvine Regional Park. This event will be part hiking and part "ghost stories".

The hike will start while it's still a bit light. 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:

• The science and evolution of our sense of fear
• Our resident nocturnal birds, mammals, and amphibians
• Why some animals' eyes glow in the dark
• Human vision and why we're bad at seeing in the dark
• Why sounds seem different at night

After returning to our meeting spot, we'll sit around a faux campfire and share tales of spookiness we've encountered while out hiking. Please bring a blanket or chair in case we don't have enough picnic tables. Feel free to bring refreshments, and if you brink enough to share, even better!

And if you like, please come in costume as long as it doesn't interfere with easy hiking.

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, and for Night 1 the previous weekend. If your preferred night is full, please join the waitlist and I'll try to accommodate as the event gets closer.

Location: Irvine Regional Park.

Starting point: Grassy area adjacent to Parking Lot P located in the far east end of the park. Look for the Socal Sciences Hikes banner, and the guy with long hair, beard, and cowboy hat.

Distance: Approximately four miles.

Elevation gain: Minimal

Terrain: Dirt trail, rocky trails, pavement, concrete

Difficulty: Beginner

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

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