Hike for Sunrise
Sunrises can be so beautiful, even more so when you see it from the top of a mountain! My favorite times of year to watch the sunrise are spring and autumn. The main reason is because the sun rises a bit later than in the summer, so you don’t need to wake up at 2 am. But also because it’s freezing in winter, even with the best of clothes, to sit around on a chilly rock waiting for the sun to crest the mountains. Have you wanted to hike for sunrise but aren’t sure where to start? Here are some other helpful things to consider before you head out.
Where are you heading?
I think it’s important to choose a trail you’ve already hiked before. By doing this, you’ll have an idea of how long it’s going to take you to get to the top so you won’t need to rush, you’ll know where you need to park and you’ll be familiar with the area and trail. Everything seems to look different in the dark, and yet the forest blends together! It can be easy to get turned around without daylight. It’s also beneficial to think about which direction the lookout faces. If you’ve got a 360º view that’s the best, but if not, find something with an east-facing lookout to get the best possible view and colors.
How to time sunrise?
Be sure to look up what time the sun will rise on the day you want to watch it. From here, you can work back how long it will take you to hike up (and you’ll already know this if you’ve hiked it before), how long it will take you to drive there, and roughly how long it will take you to leave the house. I would still recommend leaving an 15 minutes just in case!
I find it incredibly helpful to have packed my bag and laid out the clothes I want to wear before heading to bed. Prepping your things makes it less likely that you’ll forget something or be scrambling in the morning to leave on time.
Also, consider arriving at the lookout for Blue Hour. This is the hour before the sun rises, or after it sets. Blue Hour offers lovely lighting for photos. Once the sun crests the mountains, it can be very bright.
What to pack?
You will need a headlamp. Don’t rely on your phone to be enough. Not only does your phone typically admit less light than a headlamp, but it’s also difficult to hold constantly and consistently shine light where you need it. Furthermore, if you fall or need to reach for your bear spray, you’ll only have one hand available to help you. Most headlamps are relatively inexpensive and in my opinion, are worth the money.
Pack extra layers for the top. It’s sort of obvious when you say it, but the temperature is always cooler before the sun rises. And if you’re waiting on a bluff with a lot of wind, it will chill you quickly. I always pack gloves and a Buff or toque to help keep me warm.
A couple of extra tips:
1. On my most recent sunrise hike, the batteries in my headlamp started to die. Thankfully, I always carry extra ones in my first aid kit and I can’t recommend this enough to others! Unless your headlamp has rechargeable batteries and you’re very organized and recharging them often, it’s hard to know when your batteries might die. Having extras is one of those “better safe than sorry” situations.
2. Be animal aware. Bears and cougars are most active around dawn and dusk. Hiking with other people, talking, and carrying bear spray are all good ways to keep yourself safe.
3. Look up the trail you are heading to make sure it’s accessible during the hours you’ll be arriving. Places like Pump Peak on Seymour Mountain are a beautiful place to see sunrise, however you won’t be able to get to the parking lot during ski season because the gate below is closed.
4. Pack a thermos or a Jetboil and have some hot coffee while you wait for the sun to rise!
As always, leave a trip plan with someone reliable and carry your 10 Essentials with you! Happy hiking!
