Hi all - I ran the astronomy festival at Great Basin for the last few years. I just started a new job at another park, but can still vouch for wonderful dark skies at Great Basin! Jamie answered everything well. I should add that this year we weren't able to set aside Grey Cliffs campground for volunteers, but they are going to set aside multiple sites in Baker Creek campground, a very nice area right up the road from Grey Cliffs. And yes, last year was pretty snowy and cloudy but that is not actually typical for that time of year. This year it's earlier in September and hopefully skies will be clear. Let me know if I can answer any other questions! On Tue, Jun 26, 2018 at 11:47 PM, Jamie Bradley <astro@jamiebradley.com> wrote:
Yes, I was talking about Great Basin. Last year we did get snowed out but we still had fun. It was cold though.
Jamie
On Tue, Jun 26, 2018, 10:45 PM Joe Bauman via Utah-Astronomy < utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Thanks, Jamie! This is Great Basin you’re talking about, isn’t it? Sounds really worthwhile. Best wishes, Joe
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 26, 2018, at 9:44 PM, Jamie Bradley <astro@jamiebradley.com> wrote:
They reserve the Grey Cliff Group campground for astronomers or give you a voucher for the regular campgrounds. Also in the past if you have a small tent or camper you can camp at the telescope field/parking lot (flush toilets there).
The telescope field is the picnic parking lot just over from the visitor center.
Campgrounds are typical national Park campgrounds with pit toilets. Grey Cliff's has some large trees and a small creek nearby. Nice picnic tables and fire pit. Deer and turkeys wander through.
If you don't mind the drive, the campground at the top of the mountain is beautiful. Pine trees and meadows. But it's a long mountain road drive 5000 ft up
We usually do the Grey Cliff's. It is a small 5-10 min drive but so are the other campgrounds.
We camped at the telescope field the first few years and it's nice and convient, (did I mention flush toilets) but we needed more space for our group.
The park and the hikes are beautiful, the cave and the staff are awesome. The night sky when it's clear is beyond beautiful. The first year I went there were so many stars I could not find reference stars and other years I have seen my shadow from the Milky way.
I hope this helps. Google maps and street view let you explore some places
Jamie B
On Tue, Jun 26, 2018, 7:03 PM <astrodeb@beyondbb.com> wrote:
What is the campground like? I wanted to go camping last weekend but had to back out. I would be nice to know who is going so I can look through some big refractors or big dobs (bigger than my 15 inch).
Debbie
On 2018-06-26 17:40, Jamie Bradley wrote:
I'm going to Great Basin as usual. My family and friend are also going.
Did you want information or just who was going.
Jamie
On Tue, Jun 26, 2018, 3:04 PM <astrodeb@beyondbb.com> wrote:
Anybody going to either of these star parties? Great Basin has free camping but Capital Reef has great fishing nearby and super dark skies. It's a tough choice. I want to see the Lehman Caves as well. Saw Carlsbad Caverns in '98. Thought it was way cool except I couldn't walk down cause I got kicked in the leg by a horse. Anyway, hope the skies are clear in September. A couple of guys in St George may head up to Great Basin so I want to start making plans.
Way too hot down here,
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-- Annie Gilliland Park Ranger Mojave National Preserve