Re: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone?
I camped there a few years back, there are several parking area "pullouts" that would be good for one or two cars and telescopes. It did not strike me as a good place for a large star party.
Erik
Jay:
I did some observing at Great Basin a few years ago. The skies are very dark and generally good. However unlike Bryce or Capital Reef, Great Basin is primarily a mountain outcrop and the air can be turbulent and can provide some challenges. The visitor centers are at the base and the better observing is up in the hills, so scout out a good area during the day.  You can observe from the base near the visitor center but you will give a little seeing up to a little more light pollution from the town and a lower altitude.  Try to find a nice high parking lot higher up along one of the main roads that go into the park.  That said there is some good observing there. The town or Baker is very small with few amenities, bring as much as you can with you and donât count on being able to buy much especially if you have specific dietary needs.
Robert Taylor
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads@gmail.com> To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:35:50 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone?
I've been updating my Google Maps/Earth today for my observing  locations and added Big Basin National Park with several sites there.  While there I decided to do some research on Big Basin and that  got to thinking. My wife is not a camper and I do have special  dietary needs (no gluten) but the lodging there seems reasonable even  those with kitchens and they have camp sites also.  Entrance to the  park is free and the Park according to its web site "The Night Sky  Team visited Great Basin National Park in October 2004 and 2005 and  tested the light levels to determine the darkness of the night skies.  The results?  Great Basin's night skies are among the darkest in the  country, providing visitors a rare opportunity for stargazing! "
I almost have the wife convinced to go and to book a room for that  weekend because that is UEA weekend (the 1st and 2nd the two teens are  off and so am I) and we can get a room with a kitchen for under $70 http://www.silverjackinn.com/reserv.html , http://www.greatbasinpark.com/whisperingelms.htm (no kitchen but  good rates), http://www.greatbasinpark.com/getawaycabin.htm , and http://www.silverjackinn.com/   (click on his savings packages for the Economy and he lists a range  of activities that can be done here). Finally, if enough go something  like this might work: http://www.greatbasinpark.com/hiddencanyon.htm.  Baker looks to have some decent eats unless your having to be gluten  free like me. The ultimate option of course is just to reserve  campsites and camp.
I think this would be a fun get away for those who may just want to  observe for a day or two and just camp, or those that want to observe  at night while the family sleeps and then do something with the family  during the day before venturing off for a late afternoon nap and then  out for a another round of Star Gazing. From the sound of things I  think there would be enough observing  sites for all.  Colors would be  beautiful and it could make for a nice getaway for that weekend.  Anyone interested (I'm  going even it it just means camping for a two  nights if nothing else just to take in the dark sky from there and  getting in two good nights of observing)?  It would be cool, but  that's fine by me.
If you've gone there what did you think of the area and Baker? Is it  worth taking my non-camping wife who likes to be in a room at night  and then do stuff in the wilderness by day and then return to  civilization by night? I'm not worried about the teens as I call my  kids cause there is enough for them to do and they are more like me  and love the outdoors (minus the biting bugs).
Jay _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
Their web site mentions a particular parking lot that might work better for a group ... On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 5:45 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
I camped there a few years back, there are several parking area "pullouts" that would be good for one or two cars and telescopes. It did not strike me as a good place for a large star party.
Erik
Jay:
I did some observing at Great Basin a few years ago. The skies are
very
dark and generally good. However unlike Bryce or Capital Reef, Great Basin is primarily a mountain outcrop and the air can be turbulent and can provide some challenges. The visitor centers are at the base and the better observing is up in the hills, so scout out a good area during the day.  You can observe from the base near the visitor center but you will give a little seeing up to a little more light pollution from the town and a lower altitude.  Try to find a nice high parking lot higher up along one of the main roads that go into the park.  That said there is some good observing there. The town or Baker is very small with few amenities, bring as much as you can with you and don’t count on being able to buy much especially if you have specific dietary needs.
Robert Taylor
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads@gmail.com> To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:35:50 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone?
I've been updating my Google Maps/Earth today for my observing  locations and added Big Basin National Park with several sites there.  While there I decided to do some research on Big Basin and that  got to thinking. My wife is not a camper and I do have special  dietary needs (no gluten) but the lodging there seems reasonable even  those with kitchens and they have camp sites also.  Entrance to the  park is free and the Park according to its web site "The Night Sky  Team visited Great Basin National Park in October 2004 and 2005 and  tested the light levels to determine the darkness of the night skies.  The results?  Great Basin's night skies are among the darkest in the  country, providing visitors a rare opportunity for stargazing! "
I almost have the wife convinced to go and to book a room for that  weekend because that is UEA weekend (the 1st and 2nd the two teens are  off and so am I) and we can get a room with a kitchen for under $70 http://www.silverjackinn.com/reserv.html , http://www.greatbasinpark.com/whisperingelms.htm (no kitchen but  good rates), http://www.greatbasinpark.com/getawaycabin.htm , and http://www.silverjackinn.com/   (click on his savings packages for the Economy and he lists a range  of activities that can be done here). Finally, if enough go something  like this might work: http://www.greatbasinpark.com/hiddencanyon.htm.  Baker looks to have some decent eats unless your having to be gluten  free like me. The ultimate option of course is just to reserve  campsites and camp.
I think this would be a fun get away for those who may just want to  observe for a day or two and just camp, or those that want to observe  at night while the family sleeps and then do something with the family  during the day before venturing off for a late afternoon nap and then  out for a another round of Star Gazing. From the sound of things I  think there would be enough observing  sites for all.  Colors would be  beautiful and it could make for a nice getaway for that weekend.  Anyone interested (I'm  going even it it just means camping for a two  nights if nothing else just to take in the dark sky from there and  getting in two good nights of observing)?  It would be cool, but  that's fine by me.
If you've gone there what did you think of the area and Baker? Is it  worth taking my non-camping wife who likes to be in a room at night  and then do stuff in the wilderness by day and then return to  civilization by night? I'm not worried about the teens as I call my  kids cause there is enough for them to do and they are more like me  and love the outdoors (minus the biting bugs).
Jay _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
That's the site I think could handle 12 scopes or so but guest parking is the space you are using so you limit attendance. The other option is to use the grounds by the ranger station but you sacrifice alltitude to do that. Bob Taylor ----- Original Message ----- From: "Craig Smith" <cs2560@gmail.com> To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 6:06:33 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone? Their web site mentions a particular parking lot that might work better for a group ... On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 5:45 PM, <erikhansen@thebluezone.net> wrote:
I camped there a few years back, there are several parking area "pullouts" that would be good for one or two cars and telescopes. It did not strike me as a good place for a large star party.
Erik
Jay:
I did some observing at Great Basin a few years ago. The skies are
very
dark and generally good. However unlike Bryce or Capital Reef, Great Basin is primarily a mountain outcrop and the air can be turbulent and can provide some challenges. The visitor centers are at the base and the better observing is up in the hills, so scout out a good area during the day.  You can observe from the base near the visitor center but you will give a little seeing up to a little more light pollution from the town and a lower altitude.  Try to find a nice high parking lot higher up along one of the main roads that go into the park.  That said there is some good observing there. The town or Baker is very small with few amenities, bring as much as you can with you and don’t count on being able to buy much especially if you have specific dietary needs.
Robert Taylor
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads@gmail.com> To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:35:50 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone?
I've been updating my Google Maps/Earth today for my observing  locations and added Big Basin National Park with several sites there.  While there I decided to do some research on Big Basin and that  got to thinking. My wife is not a camper and I do have special  dietary needs (no gluten) but the lodging there seems reasonable even  those with kitchens and they have camp sites also.  Entrance to the  park is free and the Park according to its web site "The Night Sky  Team visited Great Basin National Park in October 2004 and 2005 and  tested the light levels to determine the darkness of the night skies.  The results?  Great Basin's night skies are among the darkest in the  country, providing visitors a rare opportunity for stargazing! "
I almost have the wife convinced to go and to book a room for that  weekend because that is UEA weekend (the 1st and 2nd the two teens are  off and so am I) and we can get a room with a kitchen for under $70 http://www.silverjackinn.com/reserv.html , http://www.greatbasinpark.com/whisperingelms.htm (no kitchen but  good rates), http://www.greatbasinpark.com/getawaycabin.htm , and http://www.silverjackinn.com/   (click on his savings packages for the Economy and he lists a range  of activities that can be done here). Finally, if enough go something  like this might work: http://www.greatbasinpark.com/hiddencanyon.htm.  Baker looks to have some decent eats unless your having to be gluten  free like me. The ultimate option of course is just to reserve  campsites and camp.
I think this would be a fun get away for those who may just want to  observe for a day or two and just camp, or those that want to observe  at night while the family sleeps and then do something with the family  during the day before venturing off for a late afternoon nap and then  out for a another round of Star Gazing. From the sound of things I  think there would be enough observing  sites for all.  Colors would be  beautiful and it could make for a nice getaway for that weekend.  Anyone interested (I'm  going even it it just means camping for a two  nights if nothing else just to take in the dark sky from there and  getting in two good nights of observing)?  It would be cool, but  that's fine by me.
If you've gone there what did you think of the area and Baker? Is it  worth taking my non-camping wife who likes to be in a room at night  and then do stuff in the wilderness by day and then return to  civilization by night? I'm not worried about the teens as I call my  kids cause there is enough for them to do and they are more like me  and love the outdoors (minus the biting bugs).
Jay _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
It didn't strike me as a good place for a large star party either. Small groups, OK. There just isn't a good place to set up a lot of scopes, a few scopes would be fine, maybe dozen or so, not more unless you want to split up and use a couple of different locations. Bob Taylor ----- Original Message ----- From: erikhansen@TheBlueZone.net To: "Utah Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 5:45:08 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone?
I camped there a few years back, there are several parking area "pullouts" that would be good for one or two cars and telescopes. It did not strike me as a good place for a large star party.
Erik
Jay:
I did some observing at Great Basin a few years ago. The skies are very dark and generally good. However unlike Bryce or Capital Reef, Great Basin is primarily a mountain outcrop and the air can be turbulent and can provide some challenges. The visitor centers are at the base and the better observing is up in the hills, so scout out a good area during the day.  You can observe from the base near the visitor center but you will give a little seeing up to a little more light pollution from the town and a lower altitude.  Try to find a nice high parking lot higher up along one of the main roads that go into the park.  That said there is some good observing there. The town or Baker is very small with few amenities, bring as much as you can with you and don’t count on being able to buy much especially if you have specific dietary needs.
Robert Taylor
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jay Eads" <jayleads@gmail.com> To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 1:35:50 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Big Basin Natl Park October 1st to the 3rd Anyone?
I've been updating my Google Maps/Earth today for my observing  locations and added Big Basin National Park with several sites there.  While there I decided to do some research on Big Basin and that  got to thinking. My wife is not a camper and I do have special  dietary needs (no gluten) but the lodging there seems reasonable even  those with kitchens and they have camp sites also.  Entrance to the  park is free and the Park according to its web site "The Night Sky  Team visited Great Basin National Park in October 2004 and 2005 and  tested the light levels to determine the darkness of the night skies.  The results?  Great Basin's night skies are among the darkest in the  country, providing visitors a rare opportunity for stargazing! "
I almost have the wife convinced to go and to book a room for that  weekend because that is UEA weekend (the 1st and 2nd the two teens are  off and so am I) and we can get a room with a kitchen for under $70 http://www.silverjackinn.com/reserv.html , http://www.greatbasinpark.com/whisperingelms.htm (no kitchen but  good rates), http://www.greatbasinpark.com/getawaycabin.htm , and http://www.silverjackinn.com/   (click on his savings packages for the Economy and he lists a range  of activities that can be done here). Finally, if enough go something  like this might work: http://www.greatbasinpark.com/hiddencanyon.htm.  Baker looks to have some decent eats unless your having to be gluten  free like me. The ultimate option of course is just to reserve  campsites and camp.
I think this would be a fun get away for those who may just want to  observe for a day or two and just camp, or those that want to observe  at night while the family sleeps and then do something with the family  during the day before venturing off for a late afternoon nap and then  out for a another round of Star Gazing. From the sound of things I  think there would be enough observing  sites for all.  Colors would be  beautiful and it could make for a nice getaway for that weekend.  Anyone interested (I'm  going even it it just means camping for a two  nights if nothing else just to take in the dark sky from there and  getting in two good nights of observing)?  It would be cool, but  that's fine by me.
If you've gone there what did you think of the area and Baker? Is it  worth taking my non-camping wife who likes to be in a room at night  and then do stuff in the wilderness by day and then return to  civilization by night? I'm not worried about the teens as I call my  kids cause there is enough for them to do and they are more like me  and love the outdoors (minus the biting bugs).
Jay _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
_______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com
participants (3)
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Craig Smith -
erikhansen＠TheBlueZone.net -
robtaylor3661＠comcast.net