Walk Into the Dark: Harvest Moon Hike + Hang

Walk Into the Dark: Harvest Moon Hike + Hang
Saturday, September 26 5:15 PM

September’s full moon is the Harvest Moon.
It is the full moon closest to the fall equinox. The name comes from the extra evening light it gave farmers during harvest season. Moonrise is around 6:42 PM. Sunset is around 6:51 PM.
Basically a bonus sun added to extend the workday.

Meet at 5:15. Hike at 5:30.

It takes about an hour to reach the lookout. The trail is moderate, with one steeper push near the end earning the view.

Pace check: This is a social hike, not a race, but we do need to keep moving so we reach the overlook before moonrise. You should be comfortable hiking about 2.5 miles uphill in roughly an hour.

If the weather cooperates, we reach the top just as the moon comes up over the plains and the sun drops behind the Divide.
We sit up top for a bit, watch the moon, chat.
Then we walk back down in the dark.

We try not to use headlamps. If you need one, red light only. The idea is to let your eyes adjust and actually walk by moonlight.

The hike
About 4 miles round trip.
Roughly 2.5 hours total.
Back at the cars around 8:00 PM.

After
If people are hungry, we head to Southern Sun in South Boulder for food and a beer.

We should get there around 8:15 or 8:30. Their kitchen serves until 10:00 PM, so there is time to chow.
Completely optional.

Bring
A headlamp with a red-light setting.
Layers. Late September gets cold quickly after sunset.
Water.
Sturdy shoes.
A snack for the top if you want one.

Parking
South Mesa Trailhead
3633 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder
There is a $5 daily parking fee for vehicles not registered in Boulder County.

I’ll send final parking and weather details to everyone who RSVPs.

Full moon. A few miles in the dark. Food and beer after.