New Moon Night Hikes
March 21, 2023 at 6:45pm
April 20, 2023 at 7:00pm
May 19, 2023 at 7:30pm
June 18, 2023 at 7:45pm
July 17, 2023 at 7:45pm
August 16, 2023 at 7:15pm
September 14, 2023 at 6:45pm
October 14, 2023 at 6:00pm
There’s plenty to see and hear on trail even after the last bits of daylight have left the sky. Dark, moonless nights provide opportunities for stargazing and experiencing the trails in a new way. Watch and listen for creatures of the night and, on clear nights, explore seasonal constellations. This is an easy to moderate hike with lots of open sky. This hike includes a Night Sky constellation guide for each hiker to keep.
"I have hiked with BRHC a few times now and will hike with them many more times. The guides are always great
and the hikes are always amazing. I highly recommend this company." - J.G., Private Half Day Hike, June 2019
Cost:
$105 per person
The minimum group size is 2 participants and the maximum group size is 6 participants. If the minimum has not yet been met, we'll reach out to registered participants 72 hours before the trip to discuss options. This is a group hike. If you're interested in a Private Night Hike, please contact our office.
Price includes your guide, snacks, transportation between downtown Asheville and the trailhead, and a headlamp and trekking poles for you to use during the hike. This hike includes a Night Sky constellation guide for each hiker to keep.
Sign-Up Details:
In order to sign up for this trip, please go to our trip calendar and select the desired trip date. You will find the trip listed there.
Itinerary:
You'll meet your guide at our downtown Asheville location, 70 College Street. Once you arrive, you'll complete a waiver packet and your guide will give a quick summary of the trip. You'll ride with the guide to the trailhead to begin your hike. The hike is approximately 2-2.5 miles round trip, and will last approximately 4 hours, including travel time.
Guide:
Your guide for this trip will be Melissa Watkins. Melissa grew up in Florida where she spent many hours watching wildlife and guiding kayak tours. She has also guided many backpacking, canoeing, and rafting trips in Western North Carolina and loves nothing more than sharing the outdoors with new friends. A former college professor, she is an educator at heart. When not at work, she loves to paddle, bake, teach her young son about the outdoors, and bask in the sunshine.
Occasionally, another guide may fill in for Melissa. When that happens, the substitute guide will be listed on the trip calendar.
What we Provide:
We provide snacks, transportation between downtown Asheville and the trailhead, and a headlamp and trekking poles to use during your hike. If you have dietary restrictions, please notify your Guide or our Admin team ahead of time.
What to Bring:
Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Because temps can drop at night (even during the summer!), we recommend you bring a spare warm layer and a waterproof or windproof jacket. Each person should pack 1 liter of water.
Cancellation Policy:
Payment in full is required to register. Trip cost includes a 15% non-refundable administrative fee. Hike may be cancelled up to 2 weeks before the trip for a refund (minus the 15% fee). Within 2 weeks, a 50% refund will be offered. Hike may be rescheduled one time free of charge, up to 2 weeks before the trip. Within 48 hours, a refund will only be offered if Blue Ridge Hiking Company cancels the trip due to severe weather. We typically hike rain or shine!
If your guide does an exceptional job, please show your appreciation with a tip. Our team of highly trained professional guides never expects but always appreciates a tip. Industry standard gratuity for a guided backpacking trip is 15-20% of trip price.
If you have any questions regarding this trip, you can reach our office by phone at 828-713-5451 or by email at trips@blueridgehikingco.com.