What's a good dark location at Henry Coe

[microflite]

I went there yesterday and the parking lot that my GPS directed me to had a bunch of buildings with bright lights near it. Any better alternatives? I haven't been there much.

-A

[Francesco Meschia]

The traditional location is the overflow lot (see map below), maybe 3/4 of a mile before the ranger station. Best if you call the rangers so they don’t lock the gate.

On Sep 15, 2023, at 15:51, microflite <micro...@gmail.com> wrote:

I went there yesterday and the parking lot that my GPS directed me to had a bunch of buildings with bright lights near it. Any better alternatives? I haven't been there much.

-A

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[Vishal Kasliwal]

To be fair, Henry Coe SP has its benefits but does not qualify as even remotely dark in my opinion. Dinosaur Point is better IMO but for dark skies, you need to go atleast as far as Lake San Antonio - the location of CalSTAR.

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[Lumpy Darkness]

The overflow lot (1/2 mile before park HQ where you went) is the place.  If you are looking for dark, have realistic expectations.  A week ago some of us went and got an sqm reading (clear night) at 20.5.  I equate it to Montebello+.  Nice for a quickie.  I did double stars there.

[Tony Hurtado]

Really? At the overflow lot? I can understand that being the case up by the ranger office - there are a number of buildings up there with lights, I'm sure, to convenience the nearby campers. But the overflow lot was pretty reasonable last time I was there.

-Tony

On Friday, September 15, 2023 at 3:51:45 PM UTC-7 micro...@gmail.com wrote:

[microflite]

:( I was at the ranger station, I guess. Thanks for the pointers. 

Ashok 

Sent from my iPhone

On Sep 15, 2023, at 7:35 PM, Tony Hurtado <hurtado...@gmail.com> wrote:

Really? At the overflow lot? I can understand that being the case up by the ranger office - there are a number of buildings up there with lights, I'm sure, to convenience the nearby campers. But the overflow lot was pretty reasonable last time I was there.

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[Lumpy Darkness]

Hi Tony,

I'll agree with you that Coe is darker than MB.  Coe is showing posted (LP map) SQM in the 20.6 range, 20.5 was measured when I was there last week.  MB shows 19.8 posted and Marko J got 20.2 last month when Casey was in town.  I haven't been to MB in years, guess its not even as dark as I recall.

I do like Coe.  Messiers show up.  I used to do H400 up there.  But I've gotten accustomed to 21.3-21.7 range.  At an hour drive for me, Coe is a legitimate option for a casual night, and better when there's a fog that stays below 2000 ft.

[miloc...@gmail.com]

Or West side Pinnacles; SQM is 21.1 - 21.68, usually around 21.3; LSA gets 21.2 - 21.5

Jim

[Lumpy Darkness]

Hey Jim - interesting SQM comparison between PW and LSA.  Given the near equal SQM you note, altitude advantage, surface, cost, locked gate (usually) and proximity, PW is a clear choice over LSA.

[Lumpy Darkness]

There are also sites where California Dark Sky Enthusiast list (CDSE) members tends to go.  Closer and darker than LSA (and free).

On Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 7:43:31 AM UTC-7 miloc...@gmail.com wrote: