High altitude & cloud-free camping in mid-August?

Pat, the Grand Canyon area is great but has the same problem as much of the southwest -- monsoonal flow in the summer.

And green, "tipsy" nerds?? Nerds, yes, but never tipsy during meteor showers -- too hard to stay awake!

After pondering my own question for a while, it occurred to me that there must be historical statistics on the frequency of thunderstorms and the prevalence of cloud cover for different areas of the country. Sure enough, after some stumbling around on Google, I came up with this site:

Weatherspark data

Once you click on a state, various cities (mostly with airports) pop-up – and then you can look at the data for each town. There are really good graphs showing the likelihood of precipitation throughout the year, the extent of cloud cover, etc.

So after all that, it turns out that the best areas for clear, dry, skies in mid-August are eastern California and northeastern Oregon! I am surprised, only because we have had trouble in past years in the Eastern Sierra with monsoonal clouds and thunderstorms. But apparently, the statistics are in our favor, so we will probably be heading back there this August for the meteor shower.

Does the Mojave Desert Preserve do anything for you as a destination? I know a spot.....


Gary Haupt

Gary, thanks for the offer! But there are two problems with that area -- it is hot, even at night, and it is so far south that it is more likely to pick up monsoonal clouds in the summer.

Up in your neck of the woods, I would bet that the desert around Cache Creek would be great for meteors -- dry, clear, dark, bug-free, not too warm at night. And you should be up and around by August, right?? You really owe that excellent nurse a great camping trip!

profdant139 wrote:
Gary, thanks for the offer! But there are two problems with that area -- it is hot, even at night, and it is so far south that it is more likely to pick up monsoonal clouds in the summer.

Up in your neck of the woods, I would bet that the desert around Cache Creek would be great for meteors -- dry, clear, dark, bug-free, not too warm at night. And you should be up and around by August, right?? You really owe that excellent nurse a great camping trip!

Should you ever be heading that way..the Mojave..let me know. As I said..I know a spot.

Ah yes...my nurse. And indeed, she is due a great number of trips. The first is coming up in June, but it will be a fly out for the long overdue Birthday dinner, concert and home looking...for 10 days. Then, she will have peace and quiet whilst I spend the summer just doing the North. I keep telling myself I really need to learn to fly-fish from my Folbot kayak I drag around with me. And come August, we are on Haida Gwaii for 1o days. By mid-Septmeber I will be southbound for a tour of something or other, before the RV over-winters in Vancouver.


Gary Haupt

Steens Mountain!!!!

TUCQUALA wrote:
Steens Mountain!!!!

X2


Gary Haupt

Never heard of Steens Mtn -- did a little homework -- brilliant call, Tucquala! Some of the driest August skies anywhere in the US -- high, cool, dark, remote. Very intriguing -- thanks!!

Angel Lake, just outside Wells Nevada. Crazy road, but excellent star gazing.

profdant139 wrote:
Never heard of Steens Mtn -- did a little homework -- brilliant call, Tucquala! Some of the driest August skies anywhere in the US -- high, cool, dark, remote. Very intriguing -- thanks!!

If you do go to the Steens...and if you are coming up thru Denio, let me know..I can tell you where some hot springs are. But you can't be tellin anyone else, eh.


Gary Haupt