Description:
The Ferguson group camp at Cedar Flats Campground has been reserved.
Moon Phase: New Moon
on Friday, September 11
Sunset: ~7:05 pm (Big Pine)
Location:
Ferguson group camp at Cedar Flats
Clear Sky Chart:
Tips for First Timer:
For those of you who have never been to Grandview, here are some tips to help prepare for the trip:
While the star party is scheduled for Thursday night through Sunday morning, most members do head up on Friday. Do not worry if you do not have a telescope. There will be many scopes there and we enjoy sharing! (We often get visitors from the campground – it’s always a pleasure to show the sights to a newcomer!)
The Cedar Flat Campground is located at about 7373 Ft elevation – be prepared for temperatures that range from very warm during the day to quite cold at night. The site can have gusty winds at times – especially in the afternoon. During the summer months, it is not too uncommon to get an occasional thunderstorm in the afternoon. Don’t forget the sunscreen, either – at elevation, you will burn much more quickly. This is a DRY SITE (dry and dusty!) – bring plenty of water – the closest water or other supplies is located about 20 miles down the hill in Big Pine. The campground facilities are limited to vault toilets – campsites have picnic tables and fire rings.
Meal Planning:
Saturday Morning we do coordinate a group breakfast – bring something to contribute to the potluck if you’d like. Plates, Glasses, and Flatware are always needed.
Saturday Evening Dinner: Pizza and Pot Luck or BYOF. Please bring something to add to the dinner such as Salad & Dressing, Bread or Rolls, Drinks, Dessert, etc.
Sunday Morning we break camp and sometimes go to the coffee shop in Pig Pine for breakfast.
Star Party Etiquette
As with all star parties, please be courteous to other participants and observe standard star party etiquette. Here are some tips: Club members
enjoy talking and showing the sights; just be sure to ask before handling any telescope equipment. White light is of particular concern, as it ruins dark-adapted vision; taking up to 40 minutes for eyesight to fully recover. If possible, please arrive before dark. If you do arrive late or plan to leave early, please ensure that headlights or reverse lights do not shine on participants; use parking lights while nearby and park so it’s easy to leave without backing up. If possible, disable or shield car door and dome lights. Use only red diode or red-filtered flashlights; red light preserves dark-adapted eyesight. Most
importantly, be prepared to relax and enjoy good company under the night sky.
Additional Materials:
Last Updated on December 30, 2025
Becky if you don’t see anybody near the picnic tables we may be setting up telescopes in an open area about 1/8 mile further up the road.
I won’t be attending for numerous reasons, none of them health related. Hope you folks have clear dark skies and steady seeing.
I’m not going to be able to make it this time. Two of my cats have been having health issues this past weekend and it’s too early to tell if they are on the mend. I’ve got vet expenses now and gas prices are so high.
Hope the cats get better Gerald.
Thanks.
I will be coming up on Friday afternoon, staying until Sunday.
I will be attending Tom Bennet’s Star party and will not be attending Grandview 2.
Hi! I’ll be a first timer this coming weekend. Do I understand correctly: You guys are camping at the lower campground (Cedar Flats) and stargazing at the upper campground (Grandview)?
Thank you!
We will be both camping and observing at the group area. There are three group sites that are separated pretty well. We will have the Ferguson area
Group site being Cedar Flats. There will be a wooden sign to the Ferguson site. Should be plenty of room
Awesome, thank you!
I plan on going up Thursday through Sunday
How does weather forecast look here ?
The nearest station is Big Pine which is “down the hill” from the campsite. The weather looks good for that weekend: https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/ca/big-pine. The typical weather pattern for the campsite is warm in the day, clouds come by in the late afternoon and clear out after sunset. The overnight can be chilly to cold depending on the time of year. The altitude is around 7500 feet.
Definitely worth taking a chance.
Hard to say this early but Thursday and Saturday look like the better nights. Best to check again say on Wednesday. Try the Bishop forecast for general cloudiness trend. The temperatures at the site will be colder than Bishop by 15-20 degrees or so. Bring warm clothes, hat, gloves, boots.