Moonlight Hiking
On Sunday, a little over a week ago, I was at the top of the Manitou Incline just before dark. It was a couple days before full moon which is the perfect time to hike at night. Hiking in the moonlight changes a familiar trail into a totally different experience. With snow on the ground, the moonlight gets reflected and it's an even better experience.
It got me thinking how it's probably been 10 years since I've done a winter moonlight ascent of Pikes Peak. On the summit it can be subzero with a howling wind. It's tough but the experience is well worth it on a clear night. The moon reflecting off the snow is bright enough that no light is needed.
When I've done it in the past, I've left around 9 PM and gotten to the summit around 4 AM. That puts me just below timberline for an awesome sunrise. Maybe it's time to do it again.
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Labels: Colorado Springs, hiking, Manitou Incline
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4 Comments:
Want a partner?
That sounds awesome! I love moonlight hikes in the mountains, but had never considered actually going all the way up Pikes Peak. That'd be pretty cool.
I think I read once that there's a group that actually meets each month on the full moon, and hikes up to Barr Camp and back.
Chris, I'd love to have someone along.
Fonk, I've also heard of the group that hikes to Barr Camp but don't have any info on it.
Let me know if you have a date (next full moon or weekend near it?) in mind. You can email directly as sometimes I forget to check back here. Need to bring any gear beyond winter warm/safety stuff? Axe, crampons, snow shoes?
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