Ojai Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike & After-Party

On Wednesday evening, May 22, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., Ojai author-herbalist Lanny Kaufer will lead a Full Moon Sunset Nature Hike to a vista point above the Ojai Valley to watch the simultaneous sunset and full moonrise. The sun will set and the full moon will rise at about 7:50 p.m., giving the group a nice window of time to take it all in. The moon will reach fullness at 6 a.m. on Thursday so Wednesday night’s moon will appear at its fullest. Scheduling it on a Wednesday also means Kaufer can have an optional “after-party” at the Ojai Valley Brewery (OVB).

Registrants will receive instructions on where to park. From the trailhead they’ll gradually walk about 1.5 miles on a well used dirt road with gradual elevation gain to the vista point, stopping along the way to meet some valuable native plants including:

Blue Elderberry

Wild Horehound

Black, Purple and Chia Sage

Coastal Sagebrush

Yucca and

Prickly-Pear

After witnessing the setting of the sun and rising of the moon, they’ll walk back to the trailhead by remaining daylight, moonlight, and flashlight, returning to the trailhead at about 8:30.

The After-Party: Then at 8:45 p.m. everyone is invited to join Kaufer on Bryant Street at Ojai Valley Brewery’s heated outdoor dining area where brewmasters Jeremy Haffner, Griffin Davis, and their staff will be pouring their amazing locally-sourced beers, ales. stouts and non-alcoholic beverages.

OVB brews change with the seasons and reflect the plants of Ojai. Three staples you’re likely to find on the list any time of year are Sugar Bush IPA, brewed with wild local Ojai “Sugar Bush” Sumac; White Pixie Ale, brewed with Pixie tangerine zests and orchard blossoms; and an amazing Chaparral Ale flavored and bittered with White and Black Sage and local Sagebrush instead of the usual Hops. Jeremy describes it as “built to mimic the scent on Shelf Road.” That’s where we’ll be walking! Non-alcoholic offerings also change with the seasons and may include an Elderflower-Blackberry Spritzer.

REGISTRATION INFO:

The cost for the hike is $35/adult. Student and child discounts are available. 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 also will receive a follow-up email with a list of all plants and wildlife seen.

No dogs or smoking, please.

WEATHER POLICY: Walks and hikes will go on RAIN OR SHINE unless there is a steady downpour on the morning of the event, probability of thunderstorm, or a solid forecast of either the day before. Light rain or drizzle will not result in cancellation. Kaufer will update registrants by email and text, as needed, and issue refunds if he needs to cancel because of the weather.

To register, visit HerbWalks.com or call 805-646-6281.