On Thursday, October 17th, a diverse group of enthusiastic hikers descended on Red Rock State Park for the last moonlight hike of the year.

As the sun began to cast a fiery orange glow on Sedona’s rust-colored rock formations, park officials divided the hikers into three groups of about 20 people each. Groups were guided by volunteer naturalists and rangers, with leaders explaining the flora and fauna and “tailgetters” keeping an eye out for safety issues.

The most ambitious group was led by volunteer naturalist Jean Taylor, a veteran hiker and “wrangler.” [secretary] Member of Sedona Westerners Hiking Club. Taylor has been leading various hikes at Red Rock State Park for 14 years, and said the moonlight hikes are very popular and often fully booked.

“Daytime hiking, geology, archaeology, ethnobotany, birding and nature. You never know who’s going to come,” Taylor said. “There have been times when there have been as few as one person and times as many as 15 to 20 people.”

Taylor said she wants more Sedona residents to try hiking.

“I don’t think most people in Sedona have even visited Red Rock State Park,” Taylor said. “That’s just my guess. I don’t know for sure, but it’s very close and it’s a protected area so it’s in its natural state. You can hike on your own or take a free guided nature tour. .”

The Moonlight Hike is the only hike in the park that is not free, as it costs $15 per person on top of the $7 entrance fee. However, in exchange for the warmth of the day, you can enjoy Sedona’s unique views. At night.

“When it’s hot, I only hike early in the morning,” Taylor says. “Red Rock State Park is the only place to hike at night.”

Taylor said his first moonlight hiking experience in Grand Canyon National Park about 12 years ago led him to take on his current role.

“It was so bright that I didn’t even need lights,” she recalls, adding that the image of silvery moonlight reflecting off the Colorado River has stayed with her ever since.

eagle’s nest

Sedona’s views are different from those of the Grand Canyon, but the views are still rich from 4,102-foot Eagle’s Nest, the highest point in Red Rock State Park.

For two hours, the guide led hikers through a tapestry of Sedona’s three ecological living zones: pinyon, juniper, riparian, and aquatic, with Taylor stopping occasionally to describe plants, landmarks, and historic sites.

Taylor’s knowledge of geology is also on display, explaining how Sedona’s red sandstone formations are “literally rusting” due to iron in the rocks left behind after the ancient ocean receded, and as the rocks dry out. The exposure of minerals led to Thunder Mountain, Wilson Mountain, Cathedral Rock, and all the other landmarks we see today.

Sisters Julie Amick of Sedona and Shannon Sis of Seattle participated in the hike as part of their annual tradition of getting together and hiking two trails a day.

“It’s just beautiful,” Sisu said. “It makes you feel good again.”

Kimberly Cerda, another Cottonwood hiker, explained how guided hikes can help you “deepen your appreciation for what’s around you.”

“Everything around us is also alive,” Cerda said. “It’s different from us, but it has life and most of it supports us. We often don’t think about it.”

When we reached the top, we heard several cheers of “Oh!”. As the hikers finished their final climb and caught their breath, a full moon began to rise over the stunning landscape.

On the way back, with full use of headlamps and flashlights, I could hear hikers discussing the experience, which seemed, if only for a moment, to be above all else. .

“I love it. It’s great to interact with all the tourists that come to the area,” said Seasonal Ranger Emerson DesLauriers, who has been working at the park since June. “It’s nice to get to know what the area is like, not just from locals, but from people who travel here. Being part of a state park allows you to learn more about the natural environment.”

Red Rock State Park is one of two parks in Arizona, the other being Oracle State Park, that is both a nature preserve and an educational center.

Red Rock State Park offers miles of trails, including Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible trails, learning centers, theaters, flora and fauna, and programs that allow you to spend an afternoon learning about Sedona’s landscape, history, and more. You can learn.

Although the moonlight hikes are closed for this year and will resume again in April, Taylor will still be around to guide you on some of the park’s natural and geological hikes.

“I talk about geology, history, archeology, flora and fauna, and how streams work,” she said. She said she covers “pretty much everything” at the park, but is always learning. “I’m not a bird expert, so that’s a completely different field!”

The park also holds regular bird walks throughout the year, which are led by a variety of “seasoned birders,” the park said.

To learn more about Red Rock State Park’s many attractions, visit: azstateparks.com.