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Backpacker Magazine – May 2009
Top 3 Glow-in-the-Dark Trips
See glowing plankton, mushrooms, and bugs on these brilliant adventures.
Fireflies in action (Judd Patterson)
Missed bioluminescence in biology class? Here are three wild places to see this phenomenon–a chemical reaction of an enzyme called luciferin and oxygen that lights up sea life, insects, and mushrooms.
San Juan Island, WA
Sea kayak in shimmering waters.
Watch trails of liquid moonlight follow your boat as you paddle the waters around San Juan Island. Bioluminescent plankton are found all over the world's oceans, but gather in abundance here, where strong currents upwell nutrients into the chilly waters. Launch at Jackson Beach, in Friday Harbor, and follow the North Bay shoreline east. After about 300 yards, duck into the first of several shallow coves to the north; they're protected from wind, which makes for better bioluminescence spotting. The water becomes silvery-blue when agitated. Before rounding the peninsula, at about one mile, turn back–currents rip beyond here. Take a guided tour with Discovery Sea Kayaking (866-461-2559; discoveryseakayak.com).
The Afterglow
Create your own shine with a bottle of 1979 Don PX Gran Reserva dessert wine at Steps Wine Bar and Café in Friday Harbor. stepswinebarandcafe.com
The Way
From Seattle, drive 80 miles north on I-5 to WA 20. Head 9.8 miles to Anacortes and follow the signs to the San Juan Islands Ferry.
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READERS COMMENTS
Bioluminescence in Hood Canal, WA, like magic
Posted: Nov 01, 2010 Joe
when stationed at ft Konx ky during the summer at night the fire flys numbered in the billions they were gorgeous if you get to ceck it out i recomend it
Posted: Oct 14, 2010 choppedtr
Lightning bugs and fire flies are the same thing. They are common names for a group of bioluminescent beetles in the family Lampyridae that use flashes of different lengths to communicate, usually for mate attraction.
Posted: Aug 25, 2010 Jonathan
I have seen these amazing glow bugs in Ohio in the Mohican area every year at about the same time. 3rd week of September.
Posted: Aug 20, 2010 KGood
Locals call them lightning bugs. different from fire flies that stay lit for longer periods of time, lightning bugs flash. my $0.02
Posted: Jun 20, 2010 Aaron
my favorite trip to take the wife and kids on was the catskills in NY during the beginning of july its the peak of the firefly season the kids loved it after chasing them all evening they would crash out in the tent and stay asleep till dawn giving my wife and I some great quality time
Posted: Oct 16, 2009 thomas
i woke two nights ago to put wood in the stove, much to my amusment the wood pile was glowing. a 4 inch wide strip 1 and ahalf inch deep the hole leigth of the logs just under the bark. this is a white glow like a floresent lightbulb. im in misouri, what is it? fungus?
Posted: Oct 14, 2009 bafold woodcuter
Try the Little River trail in the Great Smoky Mtns. Nat'l. Park to see Synchronous Fireflies that are found in only two places in the world: the Elkmont area of the GSM for two weeks in mid June and in Asia. The fireflies blink on and off together. Go backcountry for your own private light show!
Posted: Sep 19, 2009 Siouxfar
I have camped and hunted in this area all my life years before it was the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. I have very fond memories of when it was undisturbed and wild and very remote. This is a beautiful area and well worth a visit year round.
Posted: Jul 23, 2009 Budmanandwife
great tip! :) I would love to see some mushrooms glow! :) I think they glow because they gather up energy from the day.. Try looking into http://www.baraaza.com/contest/ to get some trip ideas and share with the travelers there...
Posted: Jul 12, 2009 mandino
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