OC Astronomy 101

Full Moon Hike in Black Star Canyon Wilderness

Full Moon Hike Black Star Canyon Wilderness

A guided full-moon hike of the 2.5-mile round-trip Mesa Trail loop in Black Star Canyon Wilderness offers access to an area only open to guided tours, safety in numbers, a nifty leg workout, and ... astronomy lessons!

The hike sets off at a moderately fast pace, and almost all of the 325 feet of elevation gain is in the first three-quarters of a mile, so be prepared to get your heart pumping! The trail is fairly easy to navigate in the dark and the moon is bright enough to light the way for most of it. However, having a flashlight on hand is useful. Only red-tinted lights are permitted—the red helps you retain your night vision. The guides have extras available to borrow if you don’t have your own. As the last rays of sunlight sink below the horizon, the temperature drops considerably on the exposed trail, so dress in layers!

The trail weaves through the backcountry of Cleveland National Forest and the northern Santa Ana Mountains, offering views of Irvine Lake as you travel through a landscape of chaparral and coastal sage scrub. Don’t wander off; prickly pear cactus lines the trail! The guides will frequently stop to share moon facts and folklore with you. They’ll also point out various constellations. Did you know the moon is thought to have formed around 4.5 billion years ago from debris left behind when Earth collided with a planetary body called Theia? And that since the moon is in synchronous rotation with the earth, we always see the same side of the moon? It’s called the “near side,” marked by volcanic maria, ancient crustal highlands, and impact craters that create the so-called Man in the Moon.

The adventure lasts about two hours, during which the knowledgeable guides will answer any questions you may have about the moon or stars. What better time or place to learn about the sky? As John Muir said: “The clearest way into the universe is through a forest wilderness.”

Guided hikes of the Mesa Trail meet at the Canyon Staging Area at the Library of the Canyons in Silverado. From the 55 Freeway, exit Katella Ave. and head east. Continue east and then south as the road changes names.Make a right onto Jamboree, and then a left on Santiago Canyon Rd. The Library is at 7531 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, on the left side. Free parking. You must arrive 15 minutes before hike departure time to check in; gates lock promptly at scheduled departure and no late arrivals are permitted. Must have a reservation to attend; visit theIrvine Ranch Conservancy websitefor dates, location, and reservations. If a full moon hike isn’t on offer, the twilight hikes are great too. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Bear Hug

    This 5.5-mile loop through Coyote Lake-Harvey Bear Ranch County Park explores one of the newest segments of the acclaimed Bay Area Ridge Trail, one redolent with trees ranging from madrone and manzanita to buckeye and blue elderberry (with a bubbly post-hike bonus).

    View
  2. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  3. Bikers and walkers on the Bay Area Ridge Trail with the Golden Gate Bridge behind them

    National Park City Walk

    See San Francisco the way locals do by hiking the Presidio, a national park right in the city! Wooded trails, secluded beaches, and epic views of the Golden Gate Bridge feature on this 5.5-mile out-and-back on the Bay Area Ridge Trail. It’s a lovely slice of the City by the Bay.

    View
  4. Bucks Up!

    Come on in, the water is beautiful. Whether you like swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling, or heading out on a bigger boat, Bucks Lake is a high mountain haven that’s easy to access, blissfully uncrowded, and surrounded by sandy beaches, picnic areas, pines, and aspens.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Tram to Cool Treks

    Elevate your fun, getting whisked from palm trees to alpine wilderness on the world’s largest rotating tramcar. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway transports you up and away on a 2.5-mile scenic route from the desert floor to the refreshing wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park.

    View
  2. Coming Up Roses

    Looking to spice up your hiking life? Give your partner a rose—Mount Rose! The 10-mile out-and-back peak hike goes up to one of the grandest views in all of Lake Tahoe. Get ready f

    View
  3. A group of people clamored around the summit marker at Mission Peak in the Bay Area

    Your Mission Is Less Crowded

    Mission Peak is one of the Bay Area’s most popular mountains, with many hikers climbing every weekend. Skip the crowds with this 6-mile loop up the less-traveled southern route.

    View
  4. Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park Los Angeles

    Vista Hermosa, Echo That!

    Tucked in Echo Park, the little-known gem of Vista Hermosa Natural Park feels worlds away thanks to its serene beauty and thoughtful design. At 11.5 acres there’s still plenty to explore. And it's got a premier view of the iconic Los Angeles skyline.

    View