Howl at the Moon Hike

Join us for a rare midweek evening adventure into the wild landscape of Jack London State Historic Park as we hike to the park summit under the rising Buck Moon.

July’s Buck Moon arrives at the height of summer, named for the time when deer are growing new antlers in velvet, a sign of seasonal strength. At Jack London State Historic Park, it also echoes The Call of the Wild, where Buck is the central character—a resilient dog shaped by instinct and endurance. Together, these meanings connect the moon above us with the landscape around us.

We’ll hike in the late afternoon light, reach the summit as the sun sets, and watch the Buck Moon rise. The return hike will be under moonlight—an entirely different way to experience the trail, where the park feels just a little wilder.

This is a strenuous 8+ mile roundtrip hike. Participants should be prepared for a steady pace, limited stops on the ascent, and hiking in the dark on the return.