Ecology After Dark: A Guided Moonlight Hike

Experience the spectacular ecology of Joshua Tree National Park under the stars! This narrative hike covers the geology, plants, climate, and history of the park. The hike starts at golden hour and continues through sunset into the moonlight.

• This sunset/nighttime hike takes place on the Split Rock loop trail in Joshua Tree National Park (2.5 miles).

• Anyone may attend! No expertise or experience is required.

• Entry to Joshua Tree National Park is included in the cost of enrollment.

• No meals or equipment are provided.

Activity level: This class is moderate. It requires less than 5 miles of walking with limited elevation gain on somewhat variable terrain and/or more than one hour outdoors in the elements.

Required items for participants: 

• Red headlamp

• Water, about 2-3 liters per person

• Appropriate hiking footwear and clothing attire

• Daypack with salty snacks 

Any other pertinent information: Participants will hike 2 miles in a loop back to the parking lot. In spring, it may be cold. Participants will take a leisurely stroll close to the parking lot and the activity will only run for 1.5 hours. All participants will be required to wear pants, bring a jacket, and have personal food and water. Desert Institute will provide a first aid kit, two volunteers, and a park radio.

Meet your instructor: Mike Medina has over 40 years of experience as a field biologist and instructor. He spent 32 years on active and reserve duty and as a civil service employee with the U.S. Navy as a vector ecologist, global health specialist, natural resource specialist, and senior leader. In 2022, he retired and began volunteering and teaching with Desert Institute. Mike is also a National Park Service volunteer field and nursery/herbarium technician, and a Preventative Search and Rescue team member. A naturalist and lover of all things nature, biology, plants, etc., since age 12, exploring the natural world is a passion that never fails to amaze him.

Photo credit: NPS/Julianne Koza