I am not sure I would recommend hiking in the desert at night, at least not the Lower Sonoran. It is a very prickly landscape, and during a large part of the year,rattlesnakes are more active at night. Caution is advised.

But I rather enjoy hiking at night, and during SAR operations, night work is extremely common. I prefer a moderately powered headlamp which is readily handheld, along with a convenient bright one. I prefer to use ambient light as much as possible. In a full moon, you really don't need your headlamp much at all, especially if you are following a ridge crest.

I find that your feet can sense trail tread quite well, and will often give you the first indication that you have strayed.Like any other activity, more experience will lead to greater proficiency.

As for hiking in desserts, I have never tried that,but I would imagine that pumpkin pie would be rather slippery,especially with vanilla ice cream. Chocolate would be very hard to distinguish, but I would be willing to try.....