Walk Into the Dark: Full Moon Hike — Pink Moon

Walk Into the Dark: Full Moon Hike — Pink Moon

Wednesday, April 1 | 6:00 PM | Boulder, CO

April's full moon is called the Pink Moon. It will not be pink. Sorry. It's named after wild phlox, which is a flower, which is blooming, which means winter is over and you survived the couch.

We're meeting at the trailhead at 6:00 PM and heading out at 6:30. That 30 minutes is for parking, lacing up, and filling up water, and chat. The trail is 5 miles round trip, moderate with a steep final push that earns the view. We'll be at the overlook by 7:30-7:45, right as the sun is going down. Then we hang. Watch the sky do its thing. And at 8:12 PM the Pink Moon rises to the east.

The hike down is easier and longer, winding through mellower trails by moonlight. Total time is about 2.5 hours.

What to bring: Headlamp (you'll need it for the descent), but we typically try to go dark if there aren't any clouds. Layers — April in Boulder means it could be 60 at the trailhead and 35 at the top. Water. Microspikes if recent snow is on the ground. Trail shoes, not sneakers.

What to expect: A reasonable hike. The last stretch is steep and narrow and your legs will probably know it.

Parking: South Mesa Trailhead is a paid parking lot. It's about $5 for a permit. Or if you have the boulder park pass its free.

Run by Adam at Volks Coaching (volkscoaching.com)