Supermoon gleams bright for Allerton’s Fall Full Night Moon Hike
November 16, 2016
The supermoon filled the sky Monday night and lit up the path along the Sangamon River Bluffs as Allerton Park hosted its Fall Full Moon Night Hike.
A supermoon is when a full moon is at its closest distance to the earth. Monday’s supermoon is the largest and fullest moon since 1948. According to a report by NASA, the next closest supermoon isn’t expected to come until November 2034.
The event was led by Nate Beccue, Allerton’s natural areas manager. The two-mile hike began and ended at the Lost Garden parking lot. The hike was limited to 25 participants and was open to all ages. Allerton offered a variety of deals with the purchase of a ticket for the event. One deal offered two beers with the purchase of one ticket.
Monday’s hike was a sold out event and ran from 7 to 9 p.m.
The program initially began one year ago, and went on to continue with one guided hike each month. Each hike is theme, such as a bird hike, and includes activities like tree identification.
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“The goal is to get people out and learn a little more about nature and just appreciate it more,” Beccue said.
Beccue helps manage and coordinate the facility as well properties that hold invasive species and wildlife. Beccue also helps facilitate research for students looking for resources and assists them throughout the process.
The hike offers a “seminar-type setting,” where attendees are welcome to bring their notebooks and jot down notes on their observations.
Occasionally during the hike, barred owl calls and coyote howls could be heard while participants worked their way along the path. During these moments, Beccue said he likes to lead discussions about what types of animals are hidden around and what their importance is in the ecosystem. Discussions range from simple species identification to the significance of nature preservation. Monday’s hike included a discussion about the stunning visibility of the moon and the beauty of nature.
“The full moon hikes don’t have much of an itinerary, it is really just about being out in the woods at night, something very few people do anymore,” Beccue said.
