Mount Yonah sunset, moonrise, and stargazing

This is another in the Summit Sunset Series where we will enjoy sunsets from some of the finest scenic viewpoints...all on or near mountain peaks.  If you've never had this experience, you don't know what you're missing, so time to find out...

Ok so I haven't seen a Yonah moonrise (or any other) all winter, so it's time to get up there and give it a shot.  Hopefully some others will want to join in the fun on short notice.  Tues would have been better , with shorter wait between sunset/moonrise, but it's supposed to be rainy, so Weds will have to work.

The moonrise is best in the winter because you get clearer air in most cases.  With some rain moviing out the day before this hike, hopefully that will be the case for us.  We will also have about a 2 hr gap between the sunset and the moonrise (at 8:43 PM), so we can do some stargazing during that time.  It is very pretty up there at night too with all the lights of Cleveland, Helen, etc below.  The downside is that it will probably be chilly but should be fine if you dress warm.

I want to stress that the pace of this hike will be SLOW, especially starting out.  It's still 1600' of ascent, so even at a relaxed pace, you will get a bit of a workout no matter what.   We will probably be hiking up at 1 1/2 to 2 mph.  But it's only 2 miles up so might as well take our time and enjoy it.  

There is one stretch where everyone can go at their own pace and this is probably the steepest extended section of the hike, so you can shift it into higher gear there if you want to get your heart rate up.  But besides that it is going to be slow...slow on the way up and slow on the way down and we will keep the group together the entire time except that one section.

We will head up and take a break at the Boulder and at the photogenic rock outcrop.  Then check out another overlook or two and take a break on the actually summit, a tranquil clearing surrounded by a ring of trees.

Be sure to dress warm and bring extra layers so you are comfortable just hanging out up there.  As of the current forecast, the high up is supposed to be about 50.   Here is the link to the forecast I am using:  Yonah Pointcast.  On weather.com, it says Sunny and 0% chance of rain.   If somehow it's too cloudy at the end, we won't bother to wait for the moonrise, but we will play it by ear.

Total distance is about 5 miles and total ascent is about 1600’.  So a D3, but if you are in solid D2 shape, you can probably handle it just fine because we are going so slow.  

Remember to bring a headlamp or flashlight of course.  This should be a very fun hike if the weather cooperates, so hope you can join us.

will be provided at carpool and via email for those meeting at event.

 The last half mile of the drive to the trailhead is on a well maintained gravel road

If rain is forecast, this event will be rescheduled.

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