So yesterday I got out and visited old observing grounds and made a new one my choice site for quick evening observations. I'll explain why. I also observed and will post that in the next couple of days.
The first site I went to was on old one. It is called Pit n Pole. It has been used for years by amateurs in the Utah Valley Astronomical Society and in the Salt Lake Astronomical Society and by those unaffiliated but into the hobby. The drive out has changed. The traffic in Saratoga Springs is much more intense with all the development there. I also noticed out by Cedar Mountain that there is a new set of townhomes going off of SR 73 out by the Tyson Plant that went in a few years back. More development and more light pollution coming in as more and more people come in.
It reminds me of the song Rocky Mountain High by John Denver:
"Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear
Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend
While they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more
More people, more scars upon the land"
In this case though I do understand why more people are coming in. Utah is an excellent place to raise a family, has great outdoors access and was affordable at one point. So the inevitable is happening, more and more development as that results from more and more people. The result is more light pollution. My favorite sites have degraded and I'll mention that later.
The drive out is what is always is for me, a spiritual journey, one where I lay aside the cares and wares of daily life and transition out to become an observer. It is here I realize how wonderous I and you are as individuals, how we are unique yet also have so much in common. However as I set up and observe, I realize that on the cosmic scale I am nothing. All that I have, all that I think is mine, isn't. It belongs to creation, in my case I believe to my God but as others feel, it is the universe's. It will recycle and renew as that is the purpose of creation. During my time here, I get to experience this ongoing event we call life.
It is a juxapose for me as I love people and interacting and being with people. Most who know me would say I am an extrovert and I can be. Yet at my heart I am an introvert and am learning more to be that way. It is better to be known well to just a few than to open oneself up to the world. My wife, my son and my daughter know me as well as perhaps a good friend or two. For the most part I keep myself now to my wife as I trust her completely and that is all.
Back to Pit n Pole. As I drove out this day I shut off the music and radio, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet of the drive. I arrived at Pit n Pole and have to admit I was a little dismayed. The area that had once been used by friends and myself in years past is now overgrown with Sage Brush. It is evident that no one really uses this site anymore. I would not set up by the pit or by the pole and if I were to use this site, it would be on the area just to the south of the road leading to the Pit n Pole area. Here are pictures.
Just south of Pit n Pole. Looking South.
Just south of Pit n Pole Looking SE.
Panoramic View of Pit n Pole South of Road SE to W
The problem with Pit n Pole is it has become a shooting range. The bern that is on the north side of the pit is now set up with tons of garbage and shooting targets that have never been removed. I won't go there anymore because of all the junk. It is a shame but with the increase of population more and more people are using the desert and not taking care of what they bring out. I have no problem with people using the land, it should be used and enjoyed. However, if you bring out a TV to shoot up, take it with you. Be respectful of the land and to others.
The next area is what I call top view. It is located 1.4 miles west of the Pony Express marker. You turn left onto a nice gravel/rock road which means no mud initially during the wet times of the year.
The sign where you turn to Top View
Sign and Gravel/Rock road leading out to Top View
The sign from the Pony Express Road.
The drive out to Top View is about a half mile and it leads gradually up. You'll pass a set of four poles identifying a watering source and then a little bit farther you reach the site.
The road out. It is nice in the wetter months as there isn't a lot of mud!
Looking east and actually looking back toward the Pit n Pole location with Mount Timpanogas in the background.
Zoom in view of Mnt Timp and looking east. This location is at 5200 feet and Pit n Pole is at 4300 feet. It is why at Pit n Pole in the fall I have to use my dew heaters at times but I never have at this site. The higher elevation means less dew. You do feel the breeze when you get there as the desert is ALWAYS breezing at evening but it stops after sunset.
Looking south past my Ascent. Scope is in the back.
Looking West
Looking ESE
Looking South
South
West SouthWest
Northwest
This is where I go for a 3-4 hour observing session now. SQM reads 21.54 here on average so it is a good site. Pit n Pole measures SQM of 21.43 now. So Top View as I call this site is what Pit n Pole use to be before the increase of light pollution.
Next was FR 006, which is my favorite place to observe. No one was here and I was alone, just me and the coyotes! The sites have changed since the forest service several years ago took out the Juniper to improve sage grouse habitat and make it better for the cattle that roam in the summer. I miss the Juniper but it makes for more open viewing.
This use to be called Juniper Grove but is now Site 1 for me. The sage brush has grown back and what had multiple areas to set up now only have one big area. RV's use this as you can tell and the ground is unsettled. Still some flat spots but this site is now my 3rd favorite.
West
North
This IS my favorite spot. It is called Top of the World for your at 6300 feet in elevation and have a commanding view of the valley and of FR006. It is at the end of FR006 where there is a gate on the road. Wide open field with lots of area to set up. It IS next to FR006 but I never had had an issue at night with someone driving on it unless we are done and pack up and drive out. No dew and SQM shows 21.77 here on average and is an hour and twenty minutes from home now.
Looking SE
Ground area
North
East
North actual
Northeast
South
Southwest
West
Southwest
South
When I go out to FR006 this is the site I am after and will set up here first and foremost if it is available. I have had some wonderful nights here and will have a lot more!
The next one is just south of Top of the World on FR006 and is my second favorite spot now. Just off the road from FR006 I like it a lot. Your at 6175 feet, down 125 feet from Top of the World but still great views! I will be going here more as it is off the road.
West
Southwest
South
West
Northwest
I surely hope that at next new moon during the week the weather and conditions allow me to get out to FR006 either Top of the World or Site 2. I will also be going out to Top View to observe there if not. Depends on our winter.
I will say that I love the desert and the mountains and FR006 gives me parts of both. When I do multiple days of observing I go hiking during the day in the Sheeprock Mountains to the west. I simply drive and hike. It is beautiful there and so peaceful. It gave me a good reset being out as it always does.
I will say that yes, light pollution has degraded these sites. Pit n Pole was in the 21.5's and now is mid 21.3 to low 21.4's now. Top View was upper 21.5 to lower 21.6 and is now mid 21.5's. FR006 was 21.8 to 21.89 and is now upper 21.6 to mid 21.7's now. Still a great site but you can see the impact from light pollution and more importantly, you can tell more and more people are coming out to use these spots. At least now since I can observe during the week when I am off, I know no one or very few are out there.
Yes, there are impacts, and with the increase growth along the Wasatch Front I expect that. Truly going to Elizabeth Ridge in the summer is where I go to get to 21.8 skies where I won't see anyone. However FR006 during the week has only the coyotes, or once in a while another group RVing but they leave you alone and that makes it my favorite site. I can usually use it year round, mostly and if not, Top View gives me a decent alternative. FR006 is 1 1/2 hour drive out from my house. Top View is a 50 minute drive from my house.
