Jeff - the dark keyhole you see is mainly the Clear Creek Management
Area (BLM), which is the Off-Road vehicle recreation area. I tried it
out last winter (OR - 12/30/2003), and it extends from Hwy 25 on the
south to New Idria on the N. As I figured, the hill I parked on was
about 4000' elevation, with great horizons all round. IT WAS VERY
DARK. With no filters I saw dark globules in the Rosette Nebula, and I
think I saw the Horsehead plus numerous other deepsky. Awesome.
A few higher hills to the south apparently had BLM roads and so were
likely accessible. However, San Benito Mountain is off limits, being a
wilderness area. I could just see the Central Valley off in the
distance. There is a huge number of roads that sport good observing
sites with minimal interference from "civilians". Most of the civilians
pull 5th wheels and stay in the structured campgrounds anyway.
One warning, this is a natural asbestos area. The soil is like a weird
moonscape, espcially below 32F. But its great for setting up equipment.
It takes about three hours from my house (down 101, to King City then
east to Hwy 25. Not really a hard drive, just a bit further than Chews
Ridge and a bit darker).
I'm up for this area again once the heat abates in the fall.
Chris
Jeff Crilly wrote:
>It has been suggested in an email from a person named brad, that...
>
>
>
>>Someone should have a Star Party at
>>Mercey Hot Springs (http://merceyhotsprings.com) sometime.
>>It would be a great place to set up telescopes, soak in
>>the hot tub and party a bit.
>>
>>
>
>I checked on the map, and its over east of panoche pass.
>The CSC for panoche lists light pollution as acceptable..
>http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/PnchPsskey.html?1
>
>LSA has slightly darker skies.
>
>In looking at the panoche light pollution map,
>I see there is a fairly large dark splotch
>to the south...
>
>http://www.cleardarksky.com/lp/PnchPsslp.html
>
>Would it be worth the drive?
>
>What is down there? San Benito Mountain at 5200ft?
>
>Nothing shows up "in the dark grey" (other than LSA) within 60miles of panoche.
>
>jeff
>
>
>
>
Received on Mon Aug 30 17:01:01 2004