Before GPS, did lots of night hiking in Eastern Oregon with groups in the Steens and Hart Mountain. High desert open terrain with river bottoms, cliffs, stars and distant ranch lights for landmarks. Very rocky terrain, but even without flashlights and carrying heavy packs, everyone soon learned to feel their way with their feet. We used flashlights to look at the map and compass. It was cold weather so we didn't worry about snakes.

One night hike in Joshua Tree National Monument convinced me that there are too many snakes to be doing that without lights there when it is warm.