Fellow astronomers, it is with great
pleasure that I write this edition of Stacy’s Stargazing Getaways. Humbly
written, you will find a truly spectacular location that my fingers are
twittering and all a flutter just to write about it. Oh, the anticipation of
being able to tell you about Lassen Volcanic National Park. So sit back, feast
upon the words and enjoy.
Literally, star date July 17, 2001. A truly deserved vacation from work was
beginning. 6 days and 5 nights of viewing in a new and totally different place
was the destination. As part of a larger astronomy group, it was planned to
meet up at Lassen Volcanic National Park, 40 miles east of Redding on highway
44. Leaving San Francisco the night before at 9 PM, a decision made entirely by
my companion, we drove, nay flew, up Interstate 5 making various stops for
food, more food, ice and gas. While on the way up and gazing out the window of
the van, a fortuitous portent graced the nighttime sky – a green fire
ball, last about 10 seconds as it lit up the alfalfa and mustard fields on
either side of the highway. It was a good thing that we were between towns and
highway intersections with gasoline stations’ lights blurring out the sky.
At last, our turn-off through Redding…it was nice to be able to slow down
somewhat and get away from the numerous trucks making they’re way between
metropolitan areas. It is at the point the excitement overwhelmed me and I fell
asleep – but then too, it was about 1.30 AM. Luckily for me, my companion
is adept at driving at night so I slipped into a slumber worthy of a baby. It
was about 45 minutes later that my body perceived the slowing of the van and
then a stop. Ah, we were here – Lassen. But of course, it was nighttime
and not much to see except the pine trees surrounding the parking lot at
Manzinita Lake. So it was decided that rather than drive to the campground and
disturb everyone with our arrival, we’d napped in the van at the lake and
dawn, drive down the campground. My friend soon found out that sleeping across
a telescope case and tripod case can be downright uncomfortable. I on the other
hand was snuggly ensconced in the seat that reclined. (Please note that I did
offer the prime seat to my companion as he is quite a bit bigger than me and it
would afford him more room. However, he declined, twice.)
So it was at dawn as wonderful thing to make our way to the group campground,
to join others of our ilk and set up camp, albeit quietly as it was 6.30 AM and
no doubt those who had arrived the previous day would have done some observing
that night. However, it was amazing to see some of our colleagues up and about.
Not that they were very conscience at this point, but they were moving and able
to go through the motions in making coffee.
The first night was an eye opening experience. Having eaten a scrumptious
dinner of chicken Italian sausage, marinated tomato slices and a lovely pinot
noir, we headed up to Devastated Parking lot – 6 miles from the group
camp. Devastated is so named because when Lassen last erupted in 1914, a large
area NE of the peak was completely wiped out. It is only now that the forest is
returning to its lower slopes with a considerable coverage. As I was sitting up
and the sky was darkening, Mars made a grand appearance. Quite red and large.
It just seemed more vibrant up here at 6200 feet. Soon Antares made its debut
for the evening and it was a fine start. As the evening pasted into nighttime
and my eyes kept getting more dark-adapted, I started seeing incredible detail
that I had not seen since the previous summer. Out came the binoculars and my
jaw proceeded to drop to the ground for the next 6 hours.
How does one describe the beauty of the cosmos with accurate words that will
convey the sense of oneness, smallness, gratitude and excitement all rolled up?
Quite simply, one cannot. However, let me describe what I saw. First off, it
was dark. Really dark. I mean, really, really dark. You could make out
Triagulum and M33 nekked eye. At one point, even the red light off my observing
flashlight was too much and I had it turned down to almost nothing. The Milky
Way looked like electrified sugar that had been strewn across the sky. Nary a
breeze was blowing so the seeing was steady, the clarity brought stars’
light to pin points. For the better part of my viewing session that night, I
used my two best instruments – my two eyes. Next, I went for the 7x50 and
9x63 binoculars depending upon what had caught my eye as I gazed up. I did use
my 120mm refractor, but needless to say, the eyes and the binoculars would have
been enough that first night.
I must inform you dear reader that it was with this first night, that I
officially started pursuing my Messier certificate. And, I was able to get off
to a good start with the incredibly dark skies, good transparency and steady
seeing. That’s what you get at Lassen…some of the best stargazing
conditions in California. For the remaining 5 nights, the conditions pretty
much stayed as close to perfect. One night the seeing was a little soft and
dewy, so it was an early turn-in.
So did I mention that this place was dark? Really dark? If I was remiss in
stating that fact, let me re-iterate. Lassen Volcanic National Park is REALLY
DARK.
This is one of the more spectacular parks in the National Park system that does
not get over crowded…while it’s good to call ahead and make a
reservation at one of the campgrounds, there are areas that are first come,
first serve…which aren’t taken up by Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.
Getting there is quite an easy drive and the park does have amenities near the
entrance not to mention a very good museum about the history of the park and
area. Daytime activities range from a moderate hike up to the peak of Lassen,
to multiple hikes, fishing, good photography possibilities and scenic areas.
All in all, I have to rate Lassen Volcanic National Park at stunning 9 stars!
But Stacy, it’s a 4-6 hour drive! But it’s a very easy drive –
piece o’ cake! So that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Good
seeing!
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