> We're not talking about a forested area here, and they are placed in an
> incredibly bad spot.
That's correct. There was a time when the area behind the ranger's house
was *the* place to set up. Best horizons combined and surroundings, hands
down. Coulter has significant problems, with vehicular traffic and
campers, the SW lot has a lousy southern sky and the trees ain't getting
any shorter to the north and east there (not to mention the huge light
dome from Salinas), and only a few people can set up by the observatory.
The area behind the ranger's house was certainly a favorite, and it was
promised "to stay the same" by the prior supervising ranger (and yes, we
know people change jobs, etc., etc., etc...).
So, after getting over the sentimental attachment to Fremont Peak, I have
found the Ranger Bowers and Supervising Ranger Pass did me a favor, and
motivated me to look elsewhere with the idea of making my primary
observing site elsewhere. I've done that and found better sites both near
to and far from the Peak. I understand others will still go to the Peak,
but when viewed in relation to what *had* been (for decades), use of the
Peak for amateur astronomy has been diminsihed (to the point of making the
Peak a lesser choice among observing sites).
I would also not be surprised to find that as the reduced access at the
Peak becomes better known during the upcoming observing season, some of
the long time (lifetime FPOA) members will look elsewhere too. I know a
few who just don't like the other areas (SW lot or Coulter) for observing,
period.
Mark Wagner
mgw@No-Spam-intl.com