Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
Show up and get your button! Prove to your friends that you left the couch on March 19.
Although over 100 people attended the 2018 Moonlight Walk, they came in waves and were able to check in quickly and hit the trail. Photo by Leslie David.
Once checked in, people could set their own pace and go when they wanted. Photo by Leslie David.
Walkers use red flashlights as they walk home. Photo by Leslie David.

REACH San Benito Parks Foundation and BenitoLink are collaborating again for a Moonlight Walk on the de Anza Trail in San Juan Bautista on Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m.

The hike is free to the public and involves a long, gradually uphill route. Participants can stop for a breathtaking view of the San Juan Valley. Walkers of all ages can go at their own pace.

REACH asks that participants sign up on the website or on the REACH Facebook page so we know how many people to expect. If walkers leave before 5:30 p.m., they should arrive near the second bench (approximately two miles from the start) as the moon rises and the sun sets around 6-6:30 p.m.

  1. Please carpool if possible because parking is always impacted.
  2. Wear warm layers and bring along a raincoat or umbrella, just in case.
  3. No flashlights, or only red flashlights, so we can all capture the mood.
  4. Amateur Astronomers will be on hand.

Below is information from MoonInfo.org, where you can learn about the Moon Phase and Sun Phase when heading out on any adventure.

Moon Phase 3/19/19: Waxing Gibbous

  • Illumination: 98%
  • Moon Distance: 364,452.882 km
  • Moonrise: 18:09:20 (6:09 p.m.)
  • Sun Distance: 148,979,053.389 km
  • Sunset: 19:17:52 (7:18pm)
  • Golden Hour Starts: 18:43:36 (6:44 p.m.)
  • Length of day: 12h 02m 38s

Reminder: Wear warm layers of clothing and be prepared for cool weather with clothes such as a jacket, sweaters and warm gloves. Carry no flashlights unless red light (so you don’t disrupt the moonlight glow) and bring a water bottle. Some snacks will be on-hand, along with emergency water and Band-Aids. REACH members expect to station themselves along the trail to offer assistance. Leave no trash and respect the neighboring land owners and livestock.

Special thank you to: Graniterock for materials, Don Chapin for the “comfort station”, Recology for trash bins, and the Anza Trail volunteers for providing the second bench.

To learn more, check the REACH San Benito Parks Foundation Facebook page and BenitoLink for updates if the weather seems ominous.

For more information, contact Valerie Egland at (831) 601-5154 or email info@reachsanbenito.org.

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