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Well, it wasn't the Northern Lights. But this last trip, while laying on the ground at night near Rye, looking west toward the Mazatzals, I saw a bright light, with a white LED color, slowly dancing down the mountains. I saw the same thing a couple weeks before, from Chilson Spring at night looking east, Both times were about 9 pm.

When I was at Chilson, I thought it was a backpacker doing some night hiking on the MDT coming toward me. But if it was, he never passed by where I was on the trail.

Then, Tuesday night, I saw the exact same thing, except this time on the east side of the mountains.

I thought maybe a vehicle with an LED spotlight? But I don't think there would be any vehicles on the MDT. And the light I saw Tuesday night looked like the Barnardt Trail area. No vehicles are going to be driving on that.

I dunno. Marfa lights? Some illusion?

Anyone seen this?

@TooOld2HikeQ
Just the headlamp from a hiker or backpacker doing some night hiking. People hike all hours of the day or night, it’s not a daylight only activity, especially around here when it’s hot. While they won’t be in the Mazzies, lights from mountain bikes at night can frequently be seen in other areas.

There are some hot months where I get more hiking miles done in the dark than in the light. However, I would not recommend hiking at night if you get lost easily or are afraid of snakes. Rattlers are plentiful all night during the summer, that’s when I have most of my encounters.

It wasn't me.

Nighthiker wrote:It wasn't me.

I was just going to suggest that until I saw your post!

Interesting.

No way would I hike at night willingly. Too easy to twist an ankle if the terrain is rough. And I saw a rattler coiled up once in the evening on a driveway as I drove up to a house church in Humboldt. That was another reason that I decided to get off the road during my last 'adventure.'