Candlelight Snowshoe
Lake Carlos State Park, MN
“ I’ve never seen a moon in the sky that, if it didn’t take my breath away, at least misplaced it for a moment."
- Colin Farrell -
Moonlight has always embodied mystery. Maybe it’s the surrounding darkness that moonlight fairly dispels. Maybe it’s the changing nature of its light: obscured by drifting clouds, waxing, waning or full throttle.
You can bask in moonlight through the bedroom window when the lights are off; catch a glimpse of it between buildings while on foot or in a vehicle. But to experience moonlight in it’s glory, you must be outside and hidden from streetlights. It’s easier on a summer’s night, when the air is mild and the urge to linger is strong. Or perhaps on an aromatic eve in spring, when the moon shines through young leaves. And donning a jacket to witness an early autumn moon rise through the season’s fading light is not such a chore.
Yet to be outdoors on a full moon night in the grip of winter requires resolve and planning. Resolve, because, well, it’s winter and it’s colder out than in. Planning, because you need to be comfortable if you wish to spend some time outdoors in the stark light of a winter moon.
Which brings us to the rare joy of a candlelight snowshoe hike under the ghostly glow of a full moon.
THE SETTING
We live about 40 minutes away from Lake Carlos State Park, located on Lake Carlos, north of Alexandria, Minnesota. Our family and friends have enjoyed this park year-round for its camping, swimming, bike riding, hiking and cross country skiing. The park’s 1,154 acres are a scenic mix of rolling mature hardwood forests and prairie meadows, graced with 1.4 miles of lakeshore and numerous wetlands.
Though we prefer cross country skiing in the park during winter, sometimes the trails are too icy or there’s not enough snow. Rather than stay home this year when ski trail conditions weren’t good in early February, we gave snowshoeing a try, finding out that we could rent them in the park.
We navigated the 1.2-mile Maple-Basswood Trail loop without too many mishaps. The trail was mostly level, traversing a frozen meadow and then twisting through the hardwood forest. Feeling proud of ourselves, we even made a second loop.
While returning the snowshoes, the park manager invited us to return for one of the parks Candlelight events. Free to the public (a vehicle park pass is required), these events are held at a number of Minnesota state parks during winter.
THE EVENT
Intrigued, we checked the weather forecast, chose layers of clothing to wear, packed a water bottle and drove to Lake Carlos State Park. The sky was cloudy, but occasional glimpses of the full moon teased us on the way.
After checking our vehicle pass, a volunteer directed us to the parking lot near the snowshoe trail. We spotted an inviting line of luminaries stretching from the meadow into the woods. The event ran from 6-9 pm on a Saturday evening. And, though not balmy, the winter night was pleasant with little wind.
But no moonlight was visible yet through the blanket of night-time clouds.
The parking lot was busy and we greeted families, couples and single adventurers of all ages. Volunteers helped people attach snowshoes to boots, while other volunteers made sure that everyone started out the right way on the one-way loop.
My wife and I headed out across the meadow, guided by the luminaries spaced along both sides of the trail. Even with cloud cover, it was easy to see the trail and other snowshoers. Just as we were completing the 1.2 mile route, the clouds splintered and the white moon burst through like a spotlight over the park.
Silver moonlight bounced off the snow, turning the night into a bright melange of moving shadows, candlelight and a starry vault overhead. Snowshoers paused to gaze at the moon, now dominating the night sky.
Back at the trailhead, we decided to do a second loop, this time with the moon as our beacon. The luminaries were still a welcome splash of warmth and direction across the meadow and in the shadows of the forest. Yet the moon was the star of the night for us. Fewer snowshoers were on the trail during our second loop, and we stopped several times to absorb the stillness of the night-time forest or stand in awe under the stars on what evolved into a crisp, clear night.
THE TREAT
Now pleasantly tired after almost 2.5 miles of snowshoeing, we followed another trail of luminaries to a warming house with an inviting spread of baked goods, hot cider, water and coffee. A couple of campfires outside attracted small groups lingering under moonlit trees with Lake Carlos stretching into the nighttime distance.
Inside, a wood stove warmed the apres-snowshoe gathering. Laughter was the element that bound us together. That, and the shared experience of a wondrous winter’s eve guided by candlelight under a brilliant moon.
IF YOU GO
Lake Carlos State Park is worth a visit in any season: 2601 County Road 38 Northeast; Carlos, MN 56319; 320-852-7200; www.mndnr.gov/lakecarlos.
Other candlelight events take place throughout the state in January and February, offering a variety of terrain and scenery. For the complete schedule (dates, times, other details), visit: www.mndnr.gov/candlelight.
Minnesota State Parks: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks; email: info.dnr@state.mn.us; DNR Information Center: 651-296-6157 or 888-646-6367 (between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; Saturday from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m.)
Around Minnesota: www.exploreminnesota.com; 888-847-4866 (888-VISITMN)