Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike above Ojai Valley

On Sunday evening, July 2, from 6:45 to 9:15 p.m., Ojai author-naturalist Lanny Kaufer and his wife Rondia will lead a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where you can watch the near-simultaneous sunset and moonrise.  Both will happen around 8:15 p.m. The moon is technically full on Monday, July 3 at 4:38 a.m. making Sunday night the viewing time that is closest to the actual full moon. The group will meet at the trailhead at 6:30 p.m. for a 6:45 p.m. start, then gradually hike about 1.5 miles to the viewing site, experiencing some elevation gain on a well-worn, dirt fire road with uneven footing in places. Along the way Kaufer will stop to introduce the group to some valuable edible and medicinal plants, including but not limited to:

Black & Purple Sage
Chia Sage
Blue Elderberry
Coastal Sagebrush
Prickly-Pear
Coast Live Oak and
Yucca

He’ll also identify Poison Oak.

After witnessing the sunset and moonrise, the group will walk back to the trailhead by remaining daylight, moonlight, and flashlight, returning to the trailhead at about 9:15 p.m. Kaufer will have copies of his book, Medicinal Herbs of California, for sale and signing before and after the hike.

Heavy rain or chance of thunderstorms will cancel the hike.

Photo of full moon rising over Sulphur Mountain by Roshelle Castillo.