Before/after GSSP

[miloc...@gmail.com]

I often prepend or append GSSP with a stay at another place in N Cal for a day.  This year, it's Lassen on the 15th, which right now, has the clearest forecast.  Do you have any tips on best places to stargaze?  Bumpass Hell parking lot is mentioned but I wonder what the effect of car headlights might be.  Might look at Summit Lake N campground day use area, too.

Jim

[John Pierce]

On Sun, Jul 12, 2026 at 7:21 AM miloc...@gmail.com <miloc...@gmail.com> wrote:

I often prepend or append GSSP with a stay at another place in N Cal for a day.  This year, it's Lassen on the 15th, which right now, has the clearest forecast.  Do you have any tips on best places to stargaze?  Bumpass Hell parking lot is mentioned but I wonder what the effect of car headlights might be.  Might look at Summit Lake N campground day use area, too.

surprisingly few people drive over Lassen late at night. 

Summit Lake South campground area has a lot of tall trees. I do like camping there, especially site C08.

but I don't think its very suitable for astronomy.  also, the screen room integrated into that tent was extremely helpful, the skeeters at twilight were dense.

[John Pierce]

oh, the N campground is full of RVs with all kinda lights, smoky campfires, etc.

[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Hey Jim. Along with the Bumpass lot, the Devastated Area is very nice. Seriously dark with open horizons, and fancy daytime views as well. 

You'll see I posted an add-on note late last night about a fantastic night at Devastated Area, 25 years ago.

[Aris Pope]

Someone here at GSSP was mentioning a Pg&e campground off the 299. The Cassel Campground I believe. He said it's nice there. 

Aris

On Sun, Jul 12, 2026, 2:36 PM Jamie Dillon, DDK <ngc1...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hey Jim. Along with the Bumpass lot, the Devastated Area is very nice. Seriously dark with open horizons, and fancy daytime views as well. 

You'll see I posted an add-on note late last night about a fantastic night at Devastated Area, 25 years ago.

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[Aris Pope]

Now that I think if it that may have been for fishing. Just double check.

Aris

[Richard Ozer]

Devastated is better than summit for observing. Bumpass is much higher though and headlights did not seem to be much of a problem in the past.

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[miloc...@gmail.com]

Thanks everyone! I'll report back.

Jim

[miloc...@gmail.com]

After reviewing the obvious sites, 3 of us settled on the Bumpass Hell trailhead parking lot. at 8K', the sky was as dark as GSSP, around 21.5 SQM, with good horizons and no dew.  Seeing was good.  There was a breeze all night and that made the 53 degree temps seem colder. We ran into some other bay area  astronomers who visit Bumpass Hell nearly every year for a week, claiming it to be one of or the best viewing spot in the state. There were a few car headlights until about 11PM, but as John says, nearly nobody drives through the park late at night. Highly recommended place to visit anytime or before/after GSSP.

Jim

[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Jim, that was almost certainly the Mineralistas you ran into. Not sure which ones of that gang went this year, but very likely Dan Wright of Chez Dan, and Marek Cichanski. Hopefully Dr Kingsley made it. And they're right, the Bumpass lot is one of the prime observing spots in California. Devastated Area, down the road from there, is close.

[Sundar Pranesh]

I was doing nightscapes on the 9th and the 10th at Lassen ! . Manzanita lake and Reflection Pool were my setup spots . Thankfully I didn't get too many distracted lights . Lassen is really good

On Thu, Jul 16, 2026, 11:34 PM Jamie Dillon, DDK <ngc1...@gmail.com> wrote:

Jim, that was almost certainly the Mineralistas you ran into. Not sure which ones of that gang went this year, but very likely Dan Wright of Chez Dan, and Marek Cichanski. Hopefully Dr Kingsley made it. And they're right, the Bumpass lot is one of the prime observing spots in California. Devastated Area, down the road from there, is close.

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[Richard Navarrete]

Beautiful! Love Lassen.

Richard 

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