Where To Go?

[SA Bill]

I was all hyped to spend 3-4 relaxing nights gazing at stars while camping in the Basin. Now that the Basin campground is going to be closed during the dates I had planned to be there, I'm looking for alternataives.

Does anyone have star gazing experience in Copper Breaks SP or Kickapoo Cavern SP? I've never been to those parks so I'm considering a trip to one or the other of those instead of BB.
  Thanks for any info on those parks...or suggestions other parks!
     Bill
   

[Al]

I was all hyped to spend 3-4 relaxing nights gazing at stars while camping in the Basin. Now that the Basin campground is going to be closed during the dates I had planned to be there, I'm looking for alternataives.

Does anyone have star gazing experience in Copper Breaks SP or Kickapoo Cavern SP? I've never been to those parks so I'm considering a trip to one or the other of those instead of BB.
  Thanks for any info on those parks...or suggestions other parks!
     Bill
   

Why would you exclude BiBe if the Basin is closed and only desert sites are available? I have never stayed in the Basin oh these many years and repeatedly seen incredible stars and meteors from the desert.

Al

[steelfrog]

Goes without saying I guess but just because the Basin campground is closed, there are plenty of Chisos backcountry campsites, many of which are but a short hike away!

[Al]

Although perhaps smitten, I can't help but remember the time I was privileged to have spent the night in a room at the Astronomer's Lodge at McDonald Observatory,  It was rather late, or is it early for astronomers(?), a team from South Africa, showed up. If only I had known who they were at the time . . .

http://www.salt.ac.za/

Earlier that evening, I was taken to the porch of the house built on the edge of the southeast side of mountain.  On a good day, I was told I could see several mountain ranges in Mexico . . . .  So  perhaps I ignorantly assume the view from the BiBe desert can be pretty darned good!

Obligatory pics for Homero taken with the old faithful Canon A-40:





Al

[SA Bill]

Hi Al and steelfrog!
I considered staying in one of the closer-to-the-road desert camp sites. Just not sure I want to spend 3-4 nights without any amenities, so to speak. This has to be a car camping trip because I'll be bringing the big telescope and some photo gear. Goal is to have a relaxing-during-the-day / observing-all-night kind of thing. The Basin campground is the perfect place for a trip like this! Since it's not an option now, I'm probably going to try a state park I haven't camped in before.

I'll bet that was special staying up at McDonald Al! I've been up there several times. One night I got to look through the 82" telescope! My scope is considerably smaller.

Hi QS! Was there any open area in or near the campground in Copper Breaks that you remember? Someplace where there was a good view of the sky where I could set up to observe?
  Thanks all!
    Bill

[steelfrog]

One more suggestion before you decide?  Guadalupe N.P. campground?  Its a mile high, after all.  Good hikes nearby, too.

[SA Bill]

One more suggestion before you decide?  Guadalupe N.P. campground?  Its a mile high, after all.  Good hikes nearby, too.

Hi steelfrog!
Nah...I'm GUMOed out. Was just there a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/your-trip-reports/big-bend-balloon-bash-guadalupe-peak/

No shade. To get ice is a 70 mile round trip. Often windy. Not the place for really good star gazing.

I'm leaning toward Kickapoo Cavern SP. It's only been open for camping since June of this year. Bat flights are cool. Should have decent dark skies. Only about a 3 hour drive to get there.
   Bill