Night Hiking Tips for Photographers

If you enjoy photographing the Milky Way, then you know that the prime time is usually not right after sunset. Often it is in the middle of the night…which means you have to be on location by sunset and wait it out.

Or…you get there after dark. Which isn’t a problem if it is a drive-up location. But many of the best spots require you to hike in. So…how do you feel about hiking at night?

It’s not for everyone. Obviously, you should be healthy and fit. Plus if you are uncomfortable being alone in the dark and your brain goes into hyperdrive at every noise or shadow, then maybe it isn’t for you. But most importantly, if you don’t do much hiking during the day, then you have no business hiking at night.

With that legal mitigation out of the way, I honestly think most healthy folks would have no issues safely hiking at night as long as they educate themselves and prepare ahead of time.

So, why listen to me? I’m a former Scoutmaster who has put many a mile on my hiking boots. Plus, over the past five years, I’ve hiked after sundown extensively (and safely) for night photography.

In this blog, I’ll share some of my learnings that will help make your adventures safe after dark.

Don’t go Alone

Having company on a hike is always a smart idea, especially at night. If you are injured, then you’ve got someone who can provide immediate first aid….or at least go back for help.

With that said, most of my night hiking is solo. I rarely have anyone available to join me. And frankly, I like the solitude and ability to selfishly do what I want when I want. I’m not saying it is smart, but it is me.

Don’t be a Daredevil

Some hikes are a bit scary, even during the day (Angels Landing, Half Dome, Kalepa Ridge, etc.) Those high-adventure experiences should not be on your shortlist for night hikes.

Buy a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) or Satellite Communicator

If you hike in remote areas, a PLB is a great piece of insurance. PLBs are small, cell-phone-sized devices that can send a SOS signal with your specific GPS location to search and rescue (SAR) units anywhere in the world. In other words, if you are injured in an area with no cell service, you press a button on your PLB and it notifies the local SAR via a satellite transmission.

Another option is a Satellite Communicator. They do require a small monthly subscription (unlike PLBs) but these provide two-way communication (via text) in addition to the SOS function. This means you can communicate with the SAR unit that is responding to your SOS and let them know the exact nature of your emergency. Of course, you can also use it in non-emergency situations to communicate with your friends and loved ones even though you are outside of cellular coverage areas. The one shown here (Garmin inReach Mini 2) is the one I have. It is puny (4 ounces and a couple inches wide) but gives my wife great peace of mind when I’m out exploring on my own.

Either option will set you back $300-$400 but aren’t you worth it?

Leave your Itinerary with a Friend and set up a Fail-Safe Call-back

If you don’t have a PLB, then let a trusted friend know where you are going (a person who is NOT going on the hike with you). Give them the phone number of the local search and rescue team. Figure out the time when you will return from the hike and tell them you will call to confirm that you returned safely. Your friend should call that SAR number if you don’t report in.

I leave most of this info on a note visible through my car’s windshield at the trailhead as well.

Plus, if the trailhead has a sign-in register, fill it out.

This all might seem like overkill, but if you break a leg on a night hike in a remote spot in the desert, you don’t want to rely on luck that someone will happen by.

Scout it out in the daylight

One of the best things you can do is to take the same hike first during daylight hours. This will familiarize you with the route and help you avoid pitfalls (sometimes literally) at night. Plus you will spot photographic opportunities that simply might not be visible at night.

GPS is a Must-Have

I can’t imagine trying to hike at night without GPS. A good GPS can keep you within 5 feet of the trail even in pitch-black conditions. Plus, many places don’t have marked trails so the ‘electronic trail’ on your GPS is often the only practical way to find your way.

There are a lot of good GPS systems out there. The most important thing is not WHICH system you have, but whether or not you really know how to use your system. Going on a night hike using a GPS that you just bought the day before is recipe for disaster. Hike with your GPS numerous times BEFORE trying a night hike so you are competent with it.

Personally, I like All Trails Pro which I use on my phone (available for iPhone and Android). It costs about $36 USD per year (as of 2024) and you can download the trail BEFORE your hike. That means it works even if you don’t have cell service (which you should NEVER rely on).

Some folks like the stand-alone models made by companies like Garmin. These dedicated units have more capability but are also more expensive and complicated to use. If you hike a LOT, this might be the way to go. But for me, All Trails Pro works great and is intuitive enough that I can use it effectively. Plus All Trails provides recaps by hikers who have recently made the same trek so you can be aware of changing conditions.

GPS Backup/Battery Backup

So if your GPS is your only way to find your way at night, what happens when you are in the middle of nowhere and that GPS dies? You need a backup.

I carry a second phone also loaded with my hike on All Trails Pro GPS. Plus I carry a portable power bank with me that can recharge my phone multiple times (GPS apps are notorious for draining your phone’s battery). Some power banks also feature solar panel cells that allow you to recharge.

Overkill? I don’t think so. Folks get lost and die on some of these trails…during the daylight. I think my safety is worth 40 bucks and a few extra ounces.

Keep your cool

Hiking at night can be disorienting to even the most laid-back of us but losing your cool nearly always makes matters worse. When things go wrong (and they will), take a deep breath, sit down and think through your options.

Last month I was on an easy 2-mile hike out to the Toadstool Hoodoos in southern Utah. I hadn’t been able to hike it first in the daylight (I know…didn’t follow my own rules). The hike followed a narrow dry creek bed (wash) and after about 30 minutes the creekbed ended abruptly at a solid 12-foot wall. The creek bed was so narrow and tall that my GPS didn’t have enough resolution to show me exactly where I needed to climb out and looking around didn’t reveal an obvious path. I tried one way. Didn’t work. Took a deep breath, and checked my GPS. Tried another, then another…felt like a rat in a maze. Eventually, my fifth option worked. Took me an extra 20 minutes. Sure it was frustrating, but freaking out would not have been helpful.

Keep Sharp

Fatigue is often a factor in hiking accidents. You need to get a decent amount of sleep before heading out at o’dark thirty. Obviously, this can be hard on your sleep cycle so you’re going to find some system that works for you. I’ve learned how to take power naps during the afternoon (sometimes assisted by a low dosage sleeping pill).

Obviously alcohol and earphones won’t help you focus on what is going on around you. Save those until you get back home.

Get TWO Good Headlamps

Some folks recommend hiking with no lights and letting their eyes adjust accordingly. Those people are nuts.

Forget using a regular flashlight. Use a headlamp and keep both hands free.

Keep your headlamp on its brightest, whitest and widest setting the entire time you are hiking.

I NEVER use my headlamp’s red light. I learned this the hard way…I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve stumbled over my own stupid tripod when using red light. Red light simply doesn’t provide enough illumination. Plus as soon as you look at your camera’s LCD screen, you’ve already ruined your night vision for 30 minutes, so there is no practical advantage to using red light.

A fellow photographer, Kirk Keyes, taught me that when you get to your shooting spot, turn off your headlamp and use your cellphone for illumination. I’m not talking about the ‘flashlight app on your phone, just tap your phone and use the low-level illumination of the home screen. That light is diffuse but bright enough to avoid tripping over yourself but not so bright that it will ruin other photographer’s shots.

My favorite headlamp is the Petzl Zipka since the headband retracts into the lamp and it takes up very little space in my backpack.

Have at least one spare headlamp. Put in new batteries before your hike and have spare batteries in your pack.

Trekking Poles

I rarely using hiking poles during the day but I find them very helpful at night. Falls are the most common hiking injury. Hiking poles give two more points of ground contact and have saved me from a few nighttime face-plants over the years.

Slow down and do One Thing at a Time

I’m a type A personality…doing things slowly is not in my nature. This is a BAD personality trait to have when hiking at night. Try to significantly slow down your pace and take your time…because you WILL need the extra reaction time.

Most of us tend to daydream a lot when hiking. At night, make a conscious effort to concentrate on the trail right in front of you and plan where each footfall will be placed.

Don’t try to do two things at once…like check your GPS while moving. Don’t hike with your GPS in your hand. Put it in a pocket. When you need to look at your GPS, stop walking. A lesson learned the hard way. Listen to me.

When you turn off your headlamp to take a photo, don’t move around. You might think that it is only a couple steps to that yummy granola bar in your pack but it’s not worth it. If I’m taking a long exposure, I’ll sit my butt down and wait until I hear the shutter, then turn my headlamp back on and then get up. Again, I’ve learned the hard way.

First Aid Kit with Blood Clotter

I hate taking extra weight on a hike but I’d rather leave my camera behind than my first aid kit. If you get hurt 5 miles from a trailhead that first aid kit could be the difference between a rescue and a recovery. I also keep some blood clotting packets in the pack in case of severe cuts.

Boots with Ankle Support

Hikers hurt their ankles more than any other part of their body. Even if you like trail shoes when hiking during the day, wear a good pair of boots at night that support your ankles. It isn’t a matter of IF you will roll your ankle at night…it is a matter of WHEN. Good boots might make the difference in preventing a real injury.

Suit Up

Check the forecast and remember that once you reach your destination, it WILL get colder. Your lack of movement will cool your internal temperature quite a bit…especially your extremities. Dress accordingly.

Even in the desert, I’m often surprised that I’m nearly boiling alive during the day but need a parka at night.

Drink up

It’s easy not to drink enough water. Especially when the temperature is cool and you’re busy doing something interesting (like hiking at night). Adequate water fights off fatigue and other symptoms that you don’t want when hiking in the dark. Bring that water and drink it.

You are burning calories too. Don’t forget some snacks.

Reflective Strips

I put pieces of this 3M reflective tape on my tripods, cameras and other gear. I started doing so after my batteries died on a light I was using to illuminate the Temple of the Sun (see below). That light was on a black tripod only 500′ away but it might as well have been on the dark side of the moon when I started looking for it.

Wearing dark, non-reflective clothing also won’t help first responders find you after dark either. And if you are in an area frequented by hunters, having reflective gear will help avoid cases of mistaken identity.

Keep your stuff organized

Having a place for everything and everything in its place is more than a trite old saying. Being able to reach in your bag and grab a tool without thinking is a wonderful ability to have, especially at night. If you need your First Aid kit fast, you don’t want to waste time thrashing thru your pack trying to remember where you put the silly thing.

Your Backpack

Next to boots, your backpack is the single most important piece of gear for night hiking. The same attributes that make a for good daytime hiking backpack apply after dark.

• Integrated compartment for your hydration bladder. A Camelbak or similar hydration bladder will allow you to sip your water while keeping your hands free for your trekking poles…and you will probably drink more water as well.
• A real waist belt. If the backpack you hike with doesn’t have a wide waist belt that transfers most of the pack’s weight to the top of your hip bone, then, no offense, but I doubt you have enough hiking experience to try hiking after dark. An experienced hiker knows that a waist belt transfers most of the pack’s weight to your hips/legs. This provides you with better balance and puts the strain on your legs, which are much stronger than your back.
• Quick Access outer pockets for frequently needed gear.
• Rear Access This is a personal preference, but I love a backpack that opens from the rear (the side closest to your back). This way when you put your pack down in the dirt/mud, the side of it that gets dirty is the side that won’t be against your back when you put it back on (illustrated in this photo). This also keeps dirt/dust/water away from your precious photo gear inside. There are a number of good photo hiking backpacks out there, but I’ve been really happy with my Mindshift Backlight.

Lions, Tigers and Bears: Oh My! What about Wildlife?

My night hiking experience is primarily limited to North America so my thoughts should only be considered relevant to that area. Other parts of the world have different critters with different risks.

Wildlife threats at night are one of my least concerns. Most wildlife wants nothing more than to avoid you. The risk is minor and you need to keep it in perspective: Animals killed only 400 people in the US last year and half of those were killed by deer (thanks to vehicle collisions). Bees and other stinging insects killed 100. Car accidents kill over a hundred folks per day…so your risk of getting killed or injured driving to your trailhead is much greater than being mauled by a wild animal.

Okay, so you’re not worried about deer or bees…but how about bears and snakes? Well, bears kill about ten people per year in the US and snakes only about five. Cows (yes, cows) kill 20 folks a year. So, yeah, serious wild animal attacks during night hikes are not exactly common.

With that said, here are some good, common-sense best practices:

• Don’t put your hands anywhere you haven’t looked at first. 85% of snakebites are on the hands…not the legs. They want to be left alone and unless you stick your hand in their face, they will likely give you a wide berth. By the way, if a snake does bite your lower extremities, it is nearly always below the ankle…so those ankle-high hiking boots I mentioned early are REALLY a good idea.
• Don’t put your feet in any place that you haven’t looked at first. When you step over a rock, or around a bolder, take a peek first and make sure that some critter isn’t already there.
• Bear Spray? Studies say it is 90% effective on bears (better than a gun). But, the TSA won’t allow bear spray on a plane…even in your checked luggage. Keep this in mind if your destination involves air travel. Personally, unless I’m in Grizzly territory (Alaska and the Northern Rockies) bear spray isn’t something I usually carry. Black bears are found across most of the US but attacks by them are pretty rare.
• Stop every few minutes, raise your head, and check out the area ahead you are moving into. It is easy to get in the habit of keeping your head down watching the upcoming trail and not looking up to scout out the area ahead.

Now that you are ready to hike to your favorite Milky Way location after dark, check out this blog for info on how to take those photos. Or if the whole idea still makes you uncomfortable, just sit back in your chair and click here to enjoy some of my night images.

Cheers!
Jeff

PS: I do not accept compensation of any kind from any of the companies or products I mention in my blogs. I don’t blindly trust someone’s endorsement who is getting paid to sell a product. I doubt that you would either. You can trust that my opinions, flawed as they might be, are my own.

Night hiking tips for photographers

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