Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike & Total Lunar Eclipse

Join Ojai author and naturalist Lanny Kaufer for a potential once-in-a-lifetime event: a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike and Total Lunar Eclipse with complete visibility on Sunday evening, May 15, from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. The next time a total lunar eclipse will be visible in Ventura County before 1 a.m. or later at night is August 6, 2036.

Kaufer’s group will gradually walk about 1.5 miles on a well-used dirt road with gradual elevation gain to a vista point above the Ojai Valley where they can watch the sunset, moonrise, and total eclipse.  The sun will sink below the horizon at about 7:40 p.m. and the full moon will rise shortly after that at about 7:55 p.m. It will already be in partial eclipse by then, reaching maximum total eclipse at 9:11 p.m.

After witnessing this special astronomical event, the group will walk back by flashlight, returning to the trailhead between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m.

On the way up in the daylight, they’ll stop along the trail to meet some valuable edible and medicinal plants including Blue Elderberry, Coastal Sagebrush, Prickly-Pear Cactus, Horehound, Black Sage, Purple Sage, and Chia Sage. Kaufer will have copies of his new book, Medicinal Herbs of California, with him for sale and signing before and after the hike.

No dogs or smoking, please. Light rain will not cancel. Heavy rain will.

REGISTRATION INFO:
The cost for the hike is $35/person. Senior, student and child discounts are available by request. Paid registrants will receive a confirmation email a few days prior to the event with all necessary info, including what to bring, weather forecast, and directions to the trailhead. Afterwards, they will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen. Register now at HerbWalks.com or by calling 805-646-6281.