Full Moon Run

With clear skies and warm nights this time of year in Arizona, a full moon run or two is expected from our local 4-wheeling gang. Full moon runs offer a different nature of trail excursion: the excitement of being out after dark, nearly traffic-free trails, the opportunity to see different wildlife, and the contrast of driving a well-known trail in totally different light conditions.

Photo credit: Steve Beinhorn

If you think you want to plan or attend a full moon run, here are a few things to contemplate for a night-wheeling trip:

1. When selecting a trail, it is best to use a trail that you know VERY well. The lack of daylight changes everything. In Sedona, we often use Broken Arrow for full moon runs, but I know many people who have become lost up there after dark, even if they had run the trail several times before. The black tire marks on the steep drops and sudden turns may be visible in daylight, but disappear at night. Headlights go straight--they don't turn corners. If you are running a rock trail, it is best to use a trail that you have a personal relationship with each rock on that trail. Dirt trails are easier to navigate, since they often have distinctive wheel ruts in the dirt terrain.
2. It's dark. What if someone breaks a tie-rod, pops a tire, or drops their eye glasses? Have a selection of lighting options with fresh batteries. It is fun to plan a 20-30 minute full-dark stop, where everyone camps out at an overlook without ANY lights on--as your eyes adjust to the dark, it will seem like the full moon is almost as bright as daylight, and, although I don't recommend it, some folks have been known to drive without headlights for portions of the trail on especially clear full moon nights.

3. Caution everyone about being extra careful when OUT of the vehicles, too. Even with flashlights, the human eye loses the three-dimensional advantage at night, and, unfortunately, I have seen multiple instances of sprained ankles, broken wrists, and scraped knees from spectators on full moon runs.

4. Stay sharp. It's dark, our natural go-to-sleep time. Mental and physical fatigue are the biggest contributors to accidents any time of day. Don't drink alcohol, but do stay hydrated with water or sports drinks, and snacks, too.

5. Keep things calm. Remember that the novelty of this event is the beauty of the full moon night--this is not the type of run to push your limits on the optional obstacles. Doing vehicle recovery at night, in the rain, and/or while tired complicates things exponentially.

Have fun and happy trails!

Enjoy the trip!

This past Saturday, I ventured out onto Diamondback Gulch. It's a moderate Jeep trail in West Sedona that is not nearly as well known as Broken Arrow, Soldier Pass, or Schnebly Hill. In fact, on busy Saturdays, it's one of those trails you take because you know there will only be a few folks out there. But on this Saturday, there were countless tour Jeeps and three different 4x4 clubs on this mere 6-mile trail. What is usually a casual two-hour excursion was a harried 3-hour stop, wait, and back-up game.

With Spring Breaks starting all across the west this week, traffic snarls and manic visitors are the expected fare in tourism towns all over, both on and off pavement. This carries over onto even our most exclusive 4-wheeling Jeep trails. A few reminders:

#1. Safety comes first--no matter how late you may be to whatever appointment or next scheduled activity, it's never worth the safety of you or your family to hurry: stay calm, pay attention (no texting or taking pictures while driving), don't rush. There are way too many other harried people out there this time of year. Stay alert!

#2. Educate yourself--call ahead to your destination or next activity to find out what the weather conditions are, what road construction snarls you may be able to avoid, or what alternate activities or timing could better suit your needs to help you avoid peak traffic. Most business operators are happy to help direct visitors to a time frame that will be better for everyone. Some Jeep trails are busier certain days of the week or time of day. Some road construction snags can be avoided by alternate routes or different times of day.

#3. Have fun! Remember why you are out there--to enjoy the natural beauty of your surroundings, and share a fun experience with friends and loved ones. Plan some extra time in case of unplanned snags in your schedule--have snacks or activities for kids ready. Make the best of whatever situation you encounter. Keep everything in perspective and ENJOY your trip.

Happy trails!