CANCELLED: March Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike & Lunar Eclipse

Photo of partial lunar eclipse, September 17, 2024 by Bill Walker

REGISTER

I regret that I have had to cancel this hike. If you are already registered, you received an email from me letting you know that I was refunding your payment.

Please join me and Rondia on Thursday evening, March 13, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. for this rare event: a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike during the start of a total lunar eclipse. Although the total eclipse begins at 11:18 p.m., we’ll see it start with a penumbral eclipse a little before 9:00. This photo shows the most recent partial eclipse during a moon hike on September 17, 2024. The next time a total lunar eclipse will be visible in Ventura County before 1 a.m. or later at night is August 6, 2036.

The March full moon also marks the Spring Equinox, arriving one week before it and rising approximately due east as the sun sets approximately due west. This phenomenon of opposing moonrise and sunset occurs only on the equinoxes.

We’ll gradually walk about 1.5 miles on a well-used dirt road with gradual elevation gain to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where we can watch the sunset, moonrise, and beginning of the eclipse. 

After witnessing this special astronomical event, we’ll walk back by flashlight and partial moonlight, returning to the trailhead around 9:15 p.m.

On the way up in remaining daylight, we’ll stop along the trail to meet some valuable edible and medicinal plants, including:

Blue Elderberry
Coastal Sagebrush
Prickly-Pear Cactus
Horehound
Black Sage
Purple Sage and
Chia Sage

My 2021 book, Medicinal Herbs of California, will be available at the trailhead for sale and signing.

Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email a few days prior to the event with all necessary info, including what to bring, weather forecast, and directions to the trailhead. Afterwards, they also will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen.

In addition to the adult tickets ($35), tickets for students 13-17 ($25) and children 6-12 ($15) are offered below. One supervising adult must accompany each child 12 years old or younger. Senior discount is available by request.

No dogs or smoking, please. 

MY WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation on my part. I will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if I need to cancel because of the weather.

MY CANCELLATION POLICY: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.

 

REGISTRATION

Please REGISTER HERE FIRST before completing payment below.

TICKETS

If you haven’t already up above, please REGISTER FIRST before completing payment below.

There are several ticket options. Please choose the one you qualify for.

Note: Online payment includes a PayPal fee. If you prefer, when you register you can request instructions for mailing a payment of $35/adult, $25/student, or $15/child (one per adult) as long as there is still time for mail delivery.

Cancellation policy: I will refund your payment if you notify me up to 72 hours (3 days) before the start of the event. After that I will make every effort to fill your space (and I’m usually successful) but cannot guarantee.