Observing access to Fremont Peak in the non-FPOA areas

[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Peter, buddy, you ended up asking two different questions. In your first note, you phrased it as if we needed to contact FPOA for permission to observe in the SW lot or Coulter Row, which aren't in the FPOA area —

"Was this a last day decision to go to the SW lot without a two-day advance request to the park as FPOA requires? FPOA requires the two-day advance request on account of the park's rules."

That's only for the FPOA area. Again, if you're a member of FPOA, you do need to ask 48 hours ahead for the combo to open the lock to get into that area behind the ranger's house.

For the SW lot or Coulter Row, the other places in the park where we observe, no advance permission nor notice is required. There was a time a bunch of years ago, that you're remembering, when Ranger Derek did casually appreciate an email to let him know if we were coming. It's been a long time since Derek cared about that.

People come and observe at Fremont Peak, as an open astronomy park, from all over. Like the 3 young men I met on Sunday from Watsonville, or those imagers in June from Hollister. There was a group of guys who would come down regularly from central Oregon. No advanced permission required. Now having no floodlights in the SW lot has really opened up that access. Coulter Row is only good in the winter, when there aren't campers with their Coleman lanterns right behind there.

You'll notice I set up a fresh conversation. Pacheco Pass is a ways from Fremont Peak.

[Peter Natscher]

This is good to know in case of a last minute decision to get a Fremont Peak astro site. The fickle weather makes it difficult to know two days before as FPOA requires for a astro-use request.  The park put this requirement on FPOA.

Thanks, Jamie!

[Jamie Dillon, DDK]

Yeah, case in point obviously on Sunday night, when I was all set to go to the Pinnacles, and you and Francesco put a stop to that. 

Tried to get a count on how many times I've observed from the SW lot over the years, impossible to get a number. Hundreds.

[Peter Natscher]

I'm glad the schmuck in the neighboring house at the SW lot who would leave his flood light(s) turned on is gone.

[Tony Hurtado]

Amen to that! Reclaim your park!

-Tony

On Nov 27, 2025, at 1:39 PM, 'Peter Natscher' via The Astronomy Connection (TAC) <sf-ba...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I'm glad the schmuck in the neighboring house at the SW lot who would leave his flood light(s) turned on is gone.

On Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 12:42:31 PM UTC-8 Jamie Dillon, DDK wrote:

Yeah, case in point obviously on Sunday night, when I was all set to go to the Pinnacles, and you and Francesco put a stop to that. 

Tried to get a count on how many times I've observed from the SW lot over the years, impossible to get a number. Hundreds.

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