Solstice Bonfire + Full Moon Hike
ARRIVAL + PARKING: 4-4:30pm
Please arrive between 4-4:30pm to park and get settled or geared up. We will depart for the trailhead at 4:30pm sharp to ascend to the top of the bald in time for moonrise.
FULL MOON HIKE 4:30-6:30pm
Today is the Bitter Moon, also known as the Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon, and the Moon before Yule, and it marks the last full moon of the calendar year. We welcome you to join us for Long Branch’s first-ever full moon hike up to Little Sandymush Bald at the top of the property. To begin our evening, we will silently ascend 1,500 feet just before the sun sets to watch the moon rise over the mountains and stream through the barren forest canopy to mark the end of the year together as a community. From the top of the mountain, you can see Asheville and Mount Mitchell to the east and Mount Pisgah to the south. The moon will appear large as it rises on the horizon.
The trail is wide and clear with some steep sections and we will move as a group - we ask that if you plan to only hike a portion of the trail that you join us another time for safety reasons and with the general intention of doing the hike altogether. Anyone who does not feel up for the full hike can stay cozy in our community building until the bonfire begins.
Please bring a headlamp and/or flashlight, good hiking shoes, and cold-weather appropriate clothing (layers are best - you will heat up on the long uphill hike). You may also wish to bring hiking poles, star/constellation maps, or a good camera.
SOLSTICE BONFIRE 6:30-8pm…
We harken the oncoming winter solstice, the longest night of the year, with a fire. As the sun sets, we will gather and light our Solstice Fire at 6:30pm and transition into a night of storytelling around the flames. All who come are welcome to bring a story, a song, a poem, or let something go as an offering. We’ll celebrate the coming of the light, as every day moving back towards the summer solstice will grow longer again - this day marks the end of the descent.
We will provide warm tea and cookies; if you feel like bringing a sweet treat to share, be our guest! This is an outdoor event, so please be sure to dress for the weather. Folks are welcome to arrive between 6-6:30pm who will not be joining us for the hike.
PLANT SALE (TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!!)
We are making space in our greenhouse for starting seeds and cultivating native and edible plants, so many of our ornamental plants need to be re-homed! We have a large variety from small cacti to enormous tropical broad-leaved plants that would fill your living room corner. Come have a look and take some home - plants would make a lovely surprise for someone this holiday season! Any plant that you purchase is a tax-deductible donation. What’s better than plant-shopping that counts as an end-of-year tax write-off?!
ARRIVAL + PARKING: 4-4:30pm
Please arrive between 4-4:30pm to park and get settled or geared up. We will depart for the trailhead at 4:30pm sharp to ascend to the top of the bald in time for moonrise.
FULL MOON HIKE 4:30-6:30pm
Today is the Bitter Moon, also known as the Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon, and the Moon before Yule, and it marks the last full moon of the calendar year. We welcome you to join us for Long Branch’s first-ever full moon hike up to Little Sandymush Bald at the top of the property. To begin our evening, we will silently ascend 1,500 feet just before the sun sets to watch the moon rise over the mountains and stream through the barren forest canopy to mark the end of the year together as a community. From the top of the mountain, you can see Asheville and Mount Mitchell to the east and Mount Pisgah to the south. The moon will appear large as it rises on the horizon.
The trail is wide and clear with some steep sections and we will move as a group - we ask that if you plan to only hike a portion of the trail that you join us another time for safety reasons and with the general intention of doing the hike altogether. Anyone who does not feel up for the full hike can stay cozy in our community building until the bonfire begins.
Please bring a headlamp and/or flashlight, good hiking shoes, and cold-weather appropriate clothing (layers are best - you will heat up on the long uphill hike). You may also wish to bring hiking poles, star/constellation maps, or a good camera.
SOLSTICE BONFIRE 6:30-8pm…
We harken the oncoming winter solstice, the longest night of the year, with a fire. As the sun sets, we will gather and light our Solstice Fire at 6:30pm and transition into a night of storytelling around the flames. All who come are welcome to bring a story, a song, a poem, or let something go as an offering. We’ll celebrate the coming of the light, as every day moving back towards the summer solstice will grow longer again - this day marks the end of the descent.
We will provide warm tea and cookies; if you feel like bringing a sweet treat to share, be our guest! This is an outdoor event, so please be sure to dress for the weather. Folks are welcome to arrive between 6-6:30pm who will not be joining us for the hike.
PLANT SALE (TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!!)
We are making space in our greenhouse for starting seeds and cultivating native and edible plants, so many of our ornamental plants need to be re-homed! We have a large variety from small cacti to enormous tropical broad-leaved plants that would fill your living room corner. Come have a look and take some home - plants would make a lovely surprise for someone this holiday season! Any plant that you purchase is a tax-deductible donation. What’s better than plant-shopping that counts as an end-of-year tax write-off?!
ARRIVAL + PARKING: 4-4:30pm
Please arrive between 4-4:30pm to park and get settled or geared up. We will depart for the trailhead at 4:30pm sharp to ascend to the top of the bald in time for moonrise.
FULL MOON HIKE 4:30-6:30pm
Today is the Bitter Moon, also known as the Cold Moon, Long Night’s Moon, and the Moon before Yule, and it marks the last full moon of the calendar year. We welcome you to join us for Long Branch’s first-ever full moon hike up to Little Sandymush Bald at the top of the property. To begin our evening, we will silently ascend 1,500 feet just before the sun sets to watch the moon rise over the mountains and stream through the barren forest canopy to mark the end of the year together as a community. From the top of the mountain, you can see Asheville and Mount Mitchell to the east and Mount Pisgah to the south. The moon will appear large as it rises on the horizon.
The trail is wide and clear with some steep sections and we will move as a group - we ask that if you plan to only hike a portion of the trail that you join us another time for safety reasons and with the general intention of doing the hike altogether. Anyone who does not feel up for the full hike can stay cozy in our community building until the bonfire begins.
Please bring a headlamp and/or flashlight, good hiking shoes, and cold-weather appropriate clothing (layers are best - you will heat up on the long uphill hike). You may also wish to bring hiking poles, star/constellation maps, or a good camera.
SOLSTICE BONFIRE 6:30-8pm…
We harken the oncoming winter solstice, the longest night of the year, with a fire. As the sun sets, we will gather and light our Solstice Fire at 6:30pm and transition into a night of storytelling around the flames. All who come are welcome to bring a story, a song, a poem, or let something go as an offering. We’ll celebrate the coming of the light, as every day moving back towards the summer solstice will grow longer again - this day marks the end of the descent.
We will provide warm tea and cookies; if you feel like bringing a sweet treat to share, be our guest! This is an outdoor event, so please be sure to dress for the weather. Folks are welcome to arrive between 6-6:30pm who will not be joining us for the hike.
PLANT SALE (TAX-DEDUCTIBLE!!!)
We are making space in our greenhouse for starting seeds and cultivating native and edible plants, so many of our ornamental plants need to be re-homed! We have a large variety from small cacti to enormous tropical broad-leaved plants that would fill your living room corner. Come have a look and take some home - plants would make a lovely surprise for someone this holiday season! Any plant that you purchase is a tax-deductible donation. What’s better than plant-shopping that counts as an end-of-year tax write-off?!