Celestial Campout: Pinnacles National Park
Details
Join CDARC for a camping trip to Pinnacles!
We're headed South (about 2:30 hours from Oakland) to the rugged scenery and dark skies of Pinnacles National Park! On this trip we'll take over a group campsite where we can set up tents and telescopes and have a campout. Those up for a photographic night stroll will hike the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail and capture nightscapes of its spectacular canyon walls and pinnacle formations against the starry night.
Cost: You will need to pay for National Park entry, and we will split the cost of the group campground (which we have already reserved site G 125). You'll also want to bring your own provisions and camping gear for the campout.
The group site G125 accommodates 20, but Pinnacles is a relatively easy park to find a site if our group site fills up, so you can grab your own and meet us. There's a single large campground in the park, so all sites will be at a walkable distance.
update 4/18 4pm.
It looks likes we will be clouded out tonight here in Pinnacles NP. Sam and Paolo will still be here with a couple other folks but unfortunately astrophotography won't be happening. Youre still welcome to stop and hang out.
Be on the look out for next month's astrophotography outing.
Update 4/16:
An update on the weather forecast: Friday night looks mostly clear but Saturday night is looking cloudier than it was a couple days ago.
We actually rented the group campsite (G125) for two nights (Friday and Saturday) because the park requires 2 nights minimum. Due to the weather situation we have decided to open up the site on Friday to Meetup members. The organizers will be arriving Friday afternoon/evening, so if you come early, you may arrive before us. We will plan to do a night hike on Friday on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail after setting up camp.
The organizers will still be camping Saturday night, and others are welcome to also! We'll have a campfire, and there's still a decent chance the sky will be clear enough for wide angle nightscapes.
We apologize for the last minute change of plans. For better and worse, working around the weather is just part of the hobby!
Update 4/13:
*The forecast for Saturday night is showing partly cloudy, with a low of 42°F
- We're expecting good opportunities for landscape/wide-angle photography, and will be leading a night hike on the Bear Gulch Reservoir trail. We'll pick the exact time for the hike on Saturday, when we have a better hourly forecast
*Other than the hike the itinerary will be casual / DIY. Feel free to explore the campground / park on your own or with new friends - Due to the part clouds, telescope viewing / imaging may be somewhat limited. We will keep an eye on the forecast as the weekend gets closer and hope for the best! 🤞 If you have a rig we still encourage you to bring it and set it up at the campsite
*We're camping in group site G125 - Enter the park via the east entrance (put the Pinnacles Campground in maps)
*You will need to pay a $30 fee per vehicle at the gate (cash not accepted) - Please check in with Sam, Mason, or Paolo upon arrival so we can mark you on the sign-in sheet.
*The organizers are arriving on Friday so feel free to arrive any time on Saturday - We have extra waivers if anyone didn't sign one when they registered for the event
*Please review the park's safety guidelines and campground rules. - There is no cell service in the park campground
*Please bring your own camping gear (tent, food, warm layers, flashlights, water bottles, etc.) The organizers will not be providing these things. Bring food and beverages to share if you like, but arrive as though you are camping solo - If you have questions about gear/camping in general, please DM one of the organizers and we can help you prepare! 🙂
*One more time, for emphasis: It will be cold! Lows of ~42°F. Please bring extra warm layers and a warm sleeping bag / pad
TL;DR: It will be 42 degrees at night and partly cloudy. Bring all your own camping gear. Meet us at group site G125. Enjoy nature & community!
We're so excited to see you all this weekend! Don't hesitate to reach out via DM if you have any questions.
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The event organizers have camping and night hiking experience, and are happy to offer guidance and answer any questions on how to show up well prepared for this outing.
With that being said....
Safety / Liability Information:
*Please note that this outing may involve hiking in the pitch dark in a wildlife area. It may be cold and will involve walking in uneven ground. You may not have cell phone service on the trail.
- This is a community meetup between peers. You and any guests you bring are responsible for their own safety at all times.
*When you RSVP yes to this event, it should prompt you to check a box which indicates you've read and agreed to the liability waiver at the bottom of this event description. Members who do not agree to the waiver are not invited to participate in this outing.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to the organizers with any questions you have about this event. We'll see you in the dark! 🪐✨
-The CDARC Team
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Safety / Liability Waiver:
- I acknowledge that camping, hiking and walking activities involve risks, including but not limited to slips, trips, falls, and environmental hazards. I agree to follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by the organizers.
- I understand the physical demands of the activity and confirm I am in suitable health to participate.
- I release the CDARC Meetup group and its organizers from any liability for injuries or damages that may occur during the activity.
- I understand that CDARC is a title for a meetup app community and not an entity and I do not need to follow their instructions.
- I understand and agree that the organizers of this event are to be held harmless and indemnified of any and all claims against various liabilities, including personal injury, death, and property damage or loss.
- I affirm that any guests I bring to this event have also read and agreed to the terms of this waiver.