Embracing the Dark: Tips for Hiking After Sunset
“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness.” ~ John F. Kennedy
On an after-work hike to Poo Poo Point, another hiker commented that they were surprised to find they weren't the only people on the trail as the sun set. I chuckled and responded, “I work the same hours regardless of the season!” With sunset coming as early as 4:17 PM and sunrise as late as 7:57 AM, we have significant hours of darkness during fall and winter. What’s a hiker to do? Gain comfort spending time outside in the dark!
Evening view from Poo Poo Point, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
It can be challenging to get comfortable in the dark when we’ve been trained to fear it. Yet, there is much to gain from spending time outside in darkness. If you notice fear outside in darkness, ask yourself what you are afraid of. For me, it was fear of “animals lurking” in the shadows. I realized that the animals present don’t change with the time of day, this is their home all the time! Soon I was comfortable with sunset bats overhead, the glowing eyes of deer next to the trail and adorable little mice running across the trail in my headlamp beam.
If you’re considering making the jump to hiking in the dark, read on for helpful ideas to change your hiking life!
Lighting: Non-negotiable for hikes in darkness. If you own multiple flashlights and headlamps, try them out to see what works best for you. I prefer a 200-400 lumen beam that can highlight uneven spots on the trail so I can see where I’m going, but not so bright that it negatively impacts woodland creatures. I tested a 3000-lumen headlamp and was amazed at how far I could see! In foggy conditions, it’s usually best to use a lower light level, as the fog can reflect light back at you and make visibility harder. Check your battery power in advance, and always bring a backup lighting option in case your battery runs out. I keep tiny keychain lights clipped into all my packs for emergencies and have given them to unprepared hikers. My phone and watch also have built-in flashlights.
Familiarity: New darkness hikers will be best served by choosing familiar locations. Go somewhere you’ve hiked many times. It’ll feel fresh and new in the darkness! Crowded hikes that you might avoid on sunny summer days feel spacious in darkness, but you may still find company. It is easier to get off-route when your visual input is limited, so be sure to have navigation aids on-hand to double check that you are on route. Some trails are closed after dark, so make sure your car won’t get locked into the lot. King County is currently considering changing the hours of operation for regional trails, you can take the survey here.
Company: It can feel more comfortable hiking in darkness with others. Invite your friends and family on a darkness hike!
Animals: Those glowing eyes and rustling shrubs are usually deer. I’ve also seen (or heard) owls, mice, voles, and bats on Issaquah Alps hikes in the dark. Common wisdom states that larger animals like cougars, bears, and coyotes are more active around sunrise and sunset, although you are still extremely unlikely to encounter them, just as you would during the day. On one sunrise hike to Poo Poo Point, I noticed a bear running from the landing area—perhaps they were enjoying the sunrise just like I was!
Timing: You might prefer hiking in the morning versus hiking in the afternoon or evening. Experiencing sunrise and sunset have different flavors to them. Try both and see what resonates with you and your schedule.
Sunset from Poo Poo Point, photo courtesy of Selena Eon
Although I spend a fair amount of time hiking and trail running in the dark, I checked in with local ultrarunner and past IATC Board Member Mark Griffith. Mark trains in the early morning hours year-round, often starting and ending his trail runs in darkness. He keeps his headlamp charged at his desk, carries an ultralight backup light in his running vest, and wears a headlamp at his waist for extra visibility while running. Great ideas from an expert!
Enjoy the changing seasons and the new experiences they can provide by finding peace in the hours of darkness each fall and winter.
Author during a recent Moonlit Hike, courtesy of Selena Eon
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