Night+Hike

“Everybody look! There’s deer up there.” It was a cold Wednesday night at science camp and all of the others in my field class were bundled up in layers. At first, we went from the amphitheatre to meeting spot, then passed the cabins, passed the sports court, and onto a trail. On that trail we saw some deer. Then we went to a meadow and all were told to close our eyes. We were also told that we were just about to start a game called the bravery walk. Next, we ended up in a circle at the corral, where we played a game called bat and moth. After that, we moved onto the hardest trail where the mud was very slippery, but I managed to get through it. I felt like a 4 by 4, absorbing the twists and turns, ups and downs easily. When we got to the end of the trail, we ate these glowworm candies that light up when you chew them. From that I learned that glowworms produce bioluminescence. After that experience I learned to appreciate nature day and night.

By Danté K.

Whoo. Whoo. The first thing I heard on the night hike was the quiet call of an owl. I was walking through the woods at science camp during the night at about 9:10. I was with field class, the group of students I went hiking with, and my field instructor, Marmot. It was dark, sopping wet, and rain was drizzling a bit. We were on this hike so that __maybe__ we might see some nocturnal animals, but so far we had only heard an owl.

The first activity we did was go on a partner walk, so basically you would go with someone else. I went with “Guinea Pig”, Harrison. You and your partner would go, and then the next people would be one minute behind you. You would walk down a muddy track that was bordered on one side by woods and on the other by chaparral.

The second thing we did was go to this twisted, gnarled old madrone. While we were there, Marmot told us why pirates wore eye patches and then we tried covering one eye. When we uncovered our eye, we could see better in the night with that eye. Marmot then had us eat “bat scat” (wintergreen life savers). When we chewed them, it made sparks and glowed in our mouths.

The hike was over, and we had to go back. The animal count was still zero. I was disappointed that it was over; it had been a wet, but nevertheless fun, experience. Just as we got to the cabins, I saw something moving. It was a pack of coyotes! I was thrilled.

I now realize how great it can be to be out at night with the nocturnal animals in the dark stillness.

Sophia G-C.