Join Washington Area Astronomy Meetup

You'll get invited to our Meetups as soon as they're scheduled!

Big Meadows - Camping, Hiking & Stargazing, June 26 & 27

Jun 26
Fri 6:00 PM
Location
Big Meadows

Mile 51, Skyline Dr
Luray, VA 22835

How to find us
"Blue Jetta. I'll be arriving at Big Meadows at about 9 Friday evening."

Estimated attendance
 14  people attended.
4.50 4.503

Who organized?
Gerry

Price

$10.00 per person
refund policy

Big Meadows Campground, Shenandoah National Park, VA
Group Site D167

Come camp, hike & stargaze.

See Clear Dark Sky for viewing conditions.

The Appalachian trail and various other side trails are nearby, which makes for good hiking during the day. The hike to Old Rag will depart at 9:00 Saturday morning from the campground. We may take the long route from Skyline Dr or the short route from the east side depending on the participants. We will discuss this Friday evening.

Old Rag

There is a large open area close to the campground that is regularly used for star gazing. The seeing should be great!

Appalachian trail

This is a group site that comes equipped with picnic tables & fire grates and has a maximum of 15 people. Please bring a large tent if you have one to reduce the number of tents and please carpool to reduce the number of vehicles. We have limited parking but there is an overflow lot. You must buy the firewood there - they have lots. There are showers which require quarters (they have a change machine).

It did cost to reserve this site. The people who have paid me are: Amy, Mary, Thad, Tom & Pras. It you haven't paid yet, please do so.

Photos of this Meetup

No photos yet.

Talk about this Meetup

  • Mary
    Posted Jun 30, 2009 6:37 PM
    Mary
    Link to photos: http://picasaweb.google.com...
  • Pre-Meetup comments below
  • Amy
    Posted Jun 25, 2009 8:05 PM
    Amy
    Thanks Gerry! Super excited.
  • Gerry
    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:42 PM
    Gerry
    Organizer
    The group site is D167 - I've highlighted it above. There'll be small hut on the right as you enter. They should have maps. The campground is not that large - it should be fairly easy to find.
  • Amy
    Posted Jun 24, 2009 5:55 PM
    Amy
    Can you share the campsite # so it is easier to find you come Friday night? It looks like this is a fairly decent size campground and I see at least D167 and D163 are group sites. Thanks and I am looking forward to it!!
  • Mary
    Posted Jun 24, 2009 10:35 AM
    Mary
    Also, for those joining in later and trying to find the group - does anyone have an FRS Radio? I have given one to my +1 in hopes to help him find us Saturday if we are out on the trail when he arrives.
  • Dyanna Miller
    Posted Jun 23, 2009 4:28 PM
    Dyanna Miller
    We won't be joining in on the hike. We will have our dogs with us so we may go on another hike. Question: How will know we are with the correct group?
  • Mary
    Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:42 AM
    Mary
    Btw, is there a particular time frame we are shooting for to meet up on Friday night and for the hike Saturday? Need to see if my +1 can make it to the hike or not, it depends on when we were planning on doing it Saturday. Not sure my cell will workout there either.
  • Mary
    Posted Jun 22, 2009 12:39 AM
    Mary
    Ok, very excited to go. I will be going and my +1 will only be coming on the second night (sat). I have paid for both spots now, though. :) Thanks Gerry!
  • Gerry
    Posted Jun 17, 2009 4:18 PM
    Gerry
    Organizer
    You can come for one night if you like - but you'll be missing out!
  • Gerry
    Posted Jun 3, 2009 11:33 PM
    Gerry
    Organizer
    Yes, that's the idea.
  • Dyanna Miller
    Posted Jun 3, 2009 2:19 PM
    Dyanna Miller
    Is this camping for 2 nights?
  • John Robert Mallernee
    Posted May 20, 2009 7:28 PM
    John Robert Mallernee
    I'm not able to use Pay Pal. Is there another way I can pay my fee?

Who attended?

  • 14 attendees
    • “ The stargazing, hiking, camping, and company were great. Thanks, Gerry. ”
    • Amy
      “ Saw a ton of wildlife, including a bear and bear cub and was amazed at Gerry sharing his scope so we could see the rings and planets of Saturn, details of the moons craters and can't forget the globular clusters. Great hike to Olg Rag too. The only bad thing about the trip was that only 4 people showed up out of 16 or more who RSVPd yes. Id like ask that people be a little more considerate of the planning that goes into these trips. Gerry could have easily have reserved one regular camp site instead of a group site for those who did show up. Instead he is paying for the group site out of his own pocket. ”
    • Mary (+1 guest)
      “ Would have liked more detailed info on the costs associated with the trip (we didn't take enough money), the distance to go for hikes (driving and mileage of the hike), type of terrain, etc. Good group, but over my current health/experience level and had to turn back on the trail. Astral viewing was beautiful with Gerry's scope - thanks for including us in all this. Beautiful area to camp and hang out and hike in. :) ”
    • Katie Firich (+1 guest)
    • Jeremy Osinski (+1 guest)
    • Crystal (+1 guest)
    • Dyanna Miller (+1 guest)

Your organizer's refund policy for Big Meadows - Camping, Hiking & Stargazing, June 26 & 27

Refunds offered if:

  • the Meetup is cancelled
  • you can cancel at least 7 day(s) before the Meetup

Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.

Close this