My first night hike was organized by my in-laws in Joshua Tree National Park. They had been going to Joshua Tree for years to rock climb, so they knew both the park and Palm Springs like the back of their hands. They did treat me to some rock climbing on the same trip, but that is a story for another time.

For those who don’t know, Joshua Tree National Park is in Southern California and is very much a desert. It houses some unique and interesting species because the whole area is the transitional space between the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. The western edge is at a higher elevation and dotted with Joshua trees. The Eastern side of the park is lower and warmer. There you can find creosote, ocotillo and jumping cholla cacti growing. 

Joshua Tree is home to dozens of climbing routes and hiking trails. Our night hike was to the top of Ryan Mountain. It is a mile and a half to the top from the trailhead parking lot. There is about 1,000 feet of elevation gain, and it’s mostly done in steps built into the trail. For a comfortable hike it takes about 2-3 hours to go out and back. At the time, I knew none of this. I had spent the whole day traveling, and was ready to stretch my legs- though also ready for a nap!

We pulled into the small parking lot at the trailhead, and Ryan Mountain crouched before us. It didn’t look so bad- the mountain was more of a low rocky hill. We strapped on our packs and got our headlamps situated- occasionally blinding each other in the process. Then we started out on the gently sloping uphill trail. I felt good, the weather was wonderful. There was no one to share the trail with. It was so quiet, just the wind and insects. As we continued up and stairs became a regular part of the route, we watched cars crawl along the road in the distance, only recognizable by their headlights. 

Our headlamps remained off for the most part. We were blessed with a full moon, and you could see as well as if it was a rainy day. We really only needed the lights when we walked in the shadow of the hill (which had grown more substantial now that we were past the beginning stretch). My in-laws set a good pace, so my sight-seeing focused downwards as we continued up the final half of the trail. The path eventually emerged onto the crest of the hill. Sweaty and tired, it was a treat to catch the breeze and the views from the top of Ryan Mountain.

We took pictures, testing our various phones’ night-mode capabilities with varying degrees of success. We also got a chance to stargaze, though the moon was so bright it was hard to see more than the biggest constellations.  Joshua Tree is isolated enough from big cities that you don’t have to worry about light pollution, and the climate nearly guarantees clear skies. Any other night I think we could have spent a while looking at the stars.

The view at night is also very unique. Human color vision isn’t great in low light, so all the colors are muted and tend to be whitewashed by the moonlight. From the top of the rocky hill we had climbed, we could see quite a ways. The desert sand reflecting the moonlight helped increase visibility. In addition, nearby roads and towns light up like fallen stars. 

Exhilarated from conquering the hardest part and the summit views, I led the way down the trail. Downhill walking makes great use of momentum. As many hikers will tell you though, downhill hiking can be rough on your knees, ankles and feet. It requires constant control to keep yourself in check. Young and well-jointed, I jumped down stairs, bent into my knees to counter the downhill slope, and rambled over rocks with little concern. We returned to the car and I was happy as a clam. Upon waking the next day, I felt the consequences of my hubris. But with no regrets. 

All in all, I had an excellent time on our night hike. I loved not having to worry about sunscreen or extreme heat. I cherished the sensation of having a national park all to myself. If you enjoy regular hiking, a night hike is a great way to mix it up. It’s just a fun way to change things up and see the world from a different perspective. With that in mind, night hiking carries all the risks of day hiking, but with poor visibility and increased isolation. If you plan a night hike, keep these following tips in mind. 

Preparing for the Hike

Like on a regular hike, make sure you pack water and snacks commensurate with the number of miles you are planning to do. In addition, for a night hike you need a few more key items: 

• At least two sources of light. These can be flashlights, lanterns, or ideally headlamps. Headlamps are nice because your path is automatically illuminated, and your hands can stay free for scrambling. You can find most of these light sources with multiple settings. If you want to preserve your night vision and avoid disturbing wildlife, look for one with a red light setting. In addition, a strobe setting is good for signaling for help. 
• A jacket. It cools off at night, and if you are hiking in a desert like I was, it gets surprisingly chilly at night considering the heat of the day. Extra layers are always great to have.
• Cell phone/GPS. You need to carry some way to contact someone if something goes wrong. Depending on your cell provider and where you are planning to hike, a portable GPS may be more realistic. Going into the wilderness can very easily become dangerous if you lose your way. Having a way to call for help is a great way to keep the situation from spiraling.
• Sturdy shoes. You may want hiking boots or sturdier shoes than regular tennis shoes for a night hike. Because of the poor visibility you will end up kicking more rocks, stumbling over roots, and are therefore more likely to twist an ankle. Hiking boots are sturdier and provide additional ankle support so you are less likely to get injured. It also offers better protection from snakes. 

Additional Tips

• Check out your trails. Certain parks and trails have operating hours, or close at sunset. Make sure you find a place that allows 24-hour access. 
• Make sure to pick the right night. Check the weather report before you go out. You aren’t going to be able to see weather coming at night, and if there’s no moon, visibility goes way down!
• Tell someone where you are going. This is a cardinal rule for any wilderness activity. If you are alone (though ideally you hike with someone) that means that if something goes wrong, you are on your own. Being able to call for help or know that someone will come looking may mean all the difference if you get lost or injured. 
• Remember to lock your car and secure valuables either by leaving them at home or by keeping them out of sight. A lone car in any parking lot or on the side of the road attracts attention.
• Water is still the key to having a great time- sweating and exercising requires water and fuel to maintain the effort. This is true whether the sun is up or down. 

Hike smart, and you will have a great time. A night hike offers a lot of benefits. Other than adjusting your sleep schedule, you are now ready to take on a night hike!