Friends of the Inyo presents: Dark Desert Skies Weekend – FREE
Friday to Sunday, May 19th-21st, 2023
Survey the skies and bask under the moon and stars with neighbors and friends among the Joshua Trees on Lower Centennial Flat on May 19th, 20th, and 21st with Friends of the Inyo. On Friday, we will have films and food in Lone Pine. On Saturday, we will drive to the Lower Centennial Flat turnoff and then carpool to the Conglomerate Mesa trailhead for a nice hike. In the evening, we will view the skies, and have a camp talk about the joys of the desert at night. The following morning, we will set out early for a drive and day hike to Black Canyon Spring. We’re looking forward to a beautiful night under the stars in the California Desert. Can’t wait to see you there!
Event Kickoff Details
Friday night we will be viewing some films at the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History starting at 5:00 pm. After the films, there will be food provided by a local vendor. Saturday morning we will meet at the Lone Pine Interagency Visitor Center at 8:30 am and head to the Lower Centennial Flat turnoff. Exact campsite location and logistical details will be distributed to the sign-up list as the event draws closer
Equipment Required
You will need to bring your own camping gear, food, plenty of warm clothes and water. A 2-wheel drive high-clearance vehicle will be sufficient to reach the campsite. A high-clearance vehicle with 4-wheel drive and strong tires like a 4runner, Tacoma, or F150 is highly recommended for reaching the Conglomerate Mesa trailhead. This will also help with carpooling for the Saturday & Sunday hikes. Friends of the Inyo will bring additional supplies in the event something is forgotten.
Tentative Schedule:
Friday, May 19
5:00 pm: Films at the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History
7:30 pm: Dinner at the Museum
Saturday, May 20
8:30 am: Meet at Lone Pine Interagency Visitor Center
9:30 am: Leave vehicles are Lower Centennial Flat turnoff
9:45 am: Carpool to Conglomerate Mesa
11:45 pm: Begin Hike on Conglomerate Mesa
4:00 pm: Leave Conglomerate Mesa
6:00 pm: Arrive at Campsite
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Settle in, Set up Camp, and Make Dinner
8:00 – 9:00 pm: Round Table Talk (topics TBD)
9:00 – 10:30 pm: Free-roaming Amongst the Telescopes
Sunday, May 21
8:30 am: Carpool to trailhead for Black Canyon Spring
9:00 am: Hike up Black Spring Canyon
1:00 pm: Return to Centennial Flat Campsite and pack up
2:00 pm: Head Back to Lone Pine
Please follow the link to register:
https://friendsoftheinyo.salsalabs.org/DarkDesertSkiesSpring2023/index.html
