Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Full Moon Hikes

I've just received my permits for this year and am very excited to have them coincide with a full moon! Have any of you hiked the main trail by moonlight and could you describe your experiences? Is it bright enough to see without headlamps?
Thanks, Cappy

Last August 14, I did a one-day hike to the summit on the main Whitney Trail leaving at 12:30am on a full moon evening/morning. I did use a headlamp, but mostly for the water crossings. I had a very clear morning hike and, with the illumintaion from the moon, the headlamp was almost unnecessary. However, most folks seem to cover the round-trip distance much faster than I did (I arrived back at the Whitney Portal at 9:00pm!) and I was very tired by the time I got back to Lone Pine Lake. From LPL to the trailhead, I used my headlamp constantly...even though the batteries were beginning to fade.....Bring an extra set of batteries. By the way....I had a great time doing a "Midnight Hike" and will do it again.

I did the main trail on a full moon and found it to be too bright at times. I needed a ball cap pulled down to stop the overhead illumination from almost blinding my view of the trail. For me the trail is most comfortable with a 3/4 moon, and to let my eyes adjust with no headlamp.

Last year (mid-June), I was camped at Trail Camp during the full moon. It was a miserable night for me. Apparently the altitude hit me as soon as I bedded down. In any event, I remember leaving the tent around 2AM to say hello to a rock, and the full moon was absolutely blinding. I'm sure part of it was my horrendous headache making be hypersensitive to light... but it was still very very bright.

Cappy - The full moon will light the open parts of the trail well enough, but areas under trees still require a headlamp. Also, the angle of the moon above the horizon varies from month to month. At times, the moon may be behind the southern ridge. Always carry a headlamp or flashlight. Good luck!

Have done some other nearby trails with a full moon, but not the Whitney Trail. The moonlight was more than adequate.

If you can get a red filter for the light you will be using, it really helps with the eye adjustment back to the darkness when you don't need the artificial light. And it's easier on the eyes of those around you.

I have done both full moon and new moon hikes and each has its special pleasures. For full moon hikes remember that the moon 'sets' behind the crest several hours before the actual moonset on the horizon. As others have said it is best to bring a small light. I prefer small 2xAA battery clip-on lights with swivel heads. They can easily be carried on your belt. (I always bring two).

Its true that tree cover dims the lower part of the trail but try using averted vision (except when going over water) and you'll hardly ever need artificial light. By the way, even during a new moon hike there is plenty of starlight on the granite. Have fun!