With the winter solstice barely behind us, we have few daylight hours for outdoor activity. But what if we embrace the darkness and use it to our advantage?

Full moons on clear nights can be stunning and a good way to illuminate your way. Next full moon is Jan. 28. Carry a headlamp but be mindful of light pollution—the brighter your light, the less stars you and other hikers will see. Being able to stargaze before bedtime is one of the many appeals of winter hiking.

It can be intimidating to walk in the dark in an unknown area. If you let your eyes adjust to the darkness, you’ll see it’s not as dark. Keep an ear out for nocturnal creatures.

We invite you to embrace winter and its long nights, like our ancestors used to do. Celebrate the gifts of wonder and mystery the darkness brings.

Look for stars and the hope of a new year, and keep going outside to find much needed peace and quiet.

Winter Night Hiking Basics

Packing List

1. Flashlight/headlamp with a red light to reduce impact on night vision.
2. Clothing: Many layers and no cotton. Use synthetics or wool, instead, as they wick moisture.  Mittens will keep you warmer as your fingers generate more heat if they are not separated.
3. Footwear: Winter boots or hiking boots with heavy socks, depending on the conditions. Ice cleats can help you with grip in icy conditions. Your shoes should be roomy. Tight shoes will cut circulation and make you cold.
4. Map: Know how to read it and know where you are at all times, even if you use a phone for navigation, as electronics can fail when it’s cold.
5. Have a cellphone for emergencies, but know you can’t always count on cell service. A battery pack could be useful to keep your phone charged.
6. Water: Stay hydrated to stay warm. Bring your own water, as most outdoors water spigots are shut down in the winter.
7. Food: Carry more than you think you’ll need. Make sure you have plenty of calories. If you’re going on a longer hike, having an emergency meal and a way to cook it is also prudent. Keep energy bars in your pockets close to your body to prevent them from freezing.
8. An emergency blanket and first aid kit.

Safety Tips

1. Whatever season you hike in, always tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return.
2. Watch for icy sections: Do the “penguin walk,” keeping your center of gravity on one leg, your knees loose, and extending your arms to the side to keep your balance.
3. Test your gear close to home.
4. Start on a familiar trail and don’t go alone. Take it slow, watch for trail markers and turns.
5. If you don’t know the ice thickness, don’t venture on frozen bodies of water.

What does the fox say?

Heightened senses are important in the dark. During a night outing, our sense of sight is reduced so we compensate by using hearing and touch. This is why nocturnal animals have highly developed senses of smell, hearing and eyesight.

Most wildlife make a variety of vocalizations to communicate, establish territories, find habitat, court and mate, raise families, find food, avoid predators and protect their young. So when your super-sense of hearing kicks in at night, listen for the calls of the wild.

Eastern cottontail rabbits are active at dusk and dawn. You may hear their squeal when they are distressed.

Fox hunt most often during dusk and dawn and make a hair-raising scream when they are alarmed.

White-tailed deer make hundreds of vocalizations including snorts when nervous and bleats when scared. They are most active at dusk and dawn.

The Eastern screech owl makes a territorial call that sounds like a tiny horse whinnying in the forest. Screech owls hunt most often during the first hours after darkness.

Coyotes are most active at night and you can hear their gathering and territorial group calls.