Dark Desert Skies at Conglomerate Mesa Campout Event – THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL!

May 20 – 22 in Lone Pine and Conglomerate Mesa

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL. PLEASE CONTINUE TO VISIT OUR EVENTS PAGE TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER FREE OUTINGS FROM FRIENDS OF THE INYO. THANK YOU.

On this Friday-through-Sunday event, you will see films on Friday night, May 20, in Lone Pine, then have a chance to survey the skies and bask under the  moon and stars with neighbors and friends on the foothills of Conglomerate Mesa on Saturday, May 21, and continue exploring the desert at Centennial Flat on Sunday, May 22. We will have films and food in Lone Pine on Friday. On Saturday, we will head up to enjoy the spring flowers on Conglomerate Mesa, then camp out among the Joshua Trees, view the skies through telescopes provided by gracious volunteers, and have a camp talk about the joys of the desert nightlife that crawls around the Mesa. On Sunday morning, we will set out early for a day hike and view the wonders at Centennial Flat. We’re looking forward to a beautiful night under the stars in the California Desert. Can’t wait to see you there!

Event Kickoff Details

Friday night starting at 5 o’clock, we will view some films at the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History. After the films, there will be food provided by a local vendor. Saturday morning we will meet at the Lone Pine Interagency Visitor Center at 8:30 am and head to the north end of Conglomerate Mesa, which is off Saline Valley Road. Exact campsite location and logistical details will be distributed to the sign-up list as the event draws closer.

Equipment Required

You will need to bring your own camping gear, food, plenty of warm clothes and water. You will be able to

reach the Saturday night campsite in a common sedan, but not the trailhead for the Conglomerate Mesa hike. A high-clearance vehicle with strong, well-inflated tires (and a spare) like 4-Runner, Tacoma, or F150 is highly recommended. This will also help with carpooling for the Sunday hike. Friends of the Inyo will bring some additional supplies in the event something is forgotten.

Tentative Schedule

May 20

5:00 pm: Films at the Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History

7:30 pm: Dinner at the Museum

May 21

8:30 am: Meet at Lone Pine Interagency Visitor Center

12:00 Begin Hike on Conglomerate Mesa, Botany discussed by Maria Jesus

4:00 pm: Leave Conglomerate Mesa

6:00 pm: Arrive at Campsite

6 – 7:30 pm: Settle in, Set up Camp, and Make Dinner

7:30 – 8:30 pm: Round Table Talk featuring Dan and Cindy Duriscoe, Ron Stormo, Kayla Browne, and Wendy Schneider

• CM Wildlife at Night
• Update on Threats to Conglomerate Mesa
• Dark Sky Photography
• Astronomy

8:30 – 9:30 pm: Free Roaming Among the Telescopes

May 22

8:30 am: Leave Santa Rosa Campsite

10:00 am: Meet again at the parking area to Hike on Centennial Flat

2:00 pm: Head Back to Lone Pine

Trip Leaders

About Wendy Schneider, Executive Director: A native of East Tennessee, Wendy began her political work in Washington, D.C. where she participated in campaigns and lobbying efforts on behalf of Al Gore, Handgun Control and U.S. PIRG.  Environment California recruited her to run their Los Angeles fundraising office, so she moved out West, became a lawyer, founded and ran a nonprofit benefiting street children in India, and discovered the Eastern Sierra. As Executive Director of Friends of the Inyo, Wendy is excited to use her political, fundraising and legal expertise to continue increasing the organization’s ability to protect the Eastern Sierra’s public lands.

About Kayla Browne, Desert Lands Organizer: When she experienced the beauty of the Eastern Sierra for the first time thru-hiking, Kayla knew she needed to make this area her home. After moving to Lone Pine from her home state of Michigan in 2017, she became involved with the Alabama Hills Stewardship Group, still volunteers with the Bureau of Land Management caring for the Alabama Hills, and spent the summer of 2021 working as a Trail Ambassador with FOI. In her new role as Desert Lands Organizer, she is excited to connect people and communities to the untouched landscapes that make this area so exceptional, focusing on Conglomerate Mesa and southern Inyo County. Kayla enjoys all the recreation the east side offers, including mountain biking, trail running, rock and ice climbing, hiking, and skiing.