Highlights from the 2004 Skyscrapers Trip to White Mountain, California
July 2025 :
Back in July 2004, The Skyscrapers Astronomy Club took a trip to White Mountain Research Station, CA, to do astrophotography. The facility belongs to the University of California and is used for ecological research. 21 members in our group flew to Las Vegas, rented SUVs, and traveled to Furnace Creek resort at Death Valley. After a one night stay, we drove through Death Valley, to Bishop, CA, and then to WMRS.
White Mountain’s peak is at elevation 14,252 ft. WMRS is at 10,150 ft. We stayed there for 5 days, had comfortable bunk rooms, and great catered meals by the house chef. The weather was perfect and the night sky was spectacular. There were no clouds at night, no light pollution, and had a new Moon. The Milky Way was stunning in its beauty and would cast my hand’s shadow as I held it over the ground. The North American Nebula could be seen naked eye.
I will never forget this experience as long as I live. Friends of club member Al Hall brought a 22 inch Dobsonian telescope to add to our amazing adventure. Side trips during the day were hiking in the area, visiting the Bristlecone Pine Forest, Owens Valley Radio Astronomy facility, and Mono Lake. After our stay, we headed back to Furnace Creek and explored Death Valley.
I would have never attempted a trip like this without the combined efforts by the Skyscrapers membership.
