Supposedly, Comet ISON may put up a show in early December -- comets are hard to predict. But if it does (and even if it doesn't!), I want to head to dark skies in the desert for some photos. So here is my wish list -- dark skies, not too cold, good horizons without mountains or cliffs (since the comet will be low in the sky at dusk and dawn), good hiking during the day. We don't need campgrounds -- in fact, we prefer boondocking.So, for example, the Gooseneck area would be great, except that there is not a lot of hiking nearby. Or Canyonlands would be great, except that the cliffs block the horizon.So what would you recommend?? Thanks in advance!

I read here it was November 28th but I saved this article awhile ago. Has the date changed?Comet ISON"Edit" - - Sorry, I misread the article but will leave it up for those wanting more details.

ancient astronaut theorists suggest you may not like to witness what you might see with this comet... That is the word I get from watching Discovery Channel at any rate...Roy Ken

Lake Pleasant, AZ. A Maricopa County Park on SW corner of lake. Located just NW of Phoenix. And you can camp "off the grid" on the water. Cost about $10 per night.Dark sky's, good hiking, and within a short drive of metro Phoenix.

Nov. 28 is when it get closest to the Sun -- it'll then be visible from Earth in a few more days.Unless, of course, it gets roasted by the Sun or explodes, which could happen!

Utah or Ariz camping in Dec for the comet: advice?

SorryDangDog
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
I read here it was November 28th but I saved this article awhile ago. Has the date changed?

Comet ISON

"Edit" - - Sorry, I misread the article but will leave it up for those wanting more details.
harold1946
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Quartzite Az.
RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2013
ancient astronaut theorists suggest you may not like to witness what you might see with this comet...

That is the word I get from watching Discovery Channel at any rate...

Roy Ken
muelldawg
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
Lake Pleasant, AZ. A Maricopa County Park on SW corner of lake. Located just NW of Phoenix.

And you can camp "off the grid" on the water. Cost about $10 per night.
Dark sky's, good hiking, and within a short drive of metro Phoenix.
profdant139
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2013
Nov. 28 is when it get closest to the Sun -- it'll then be visible from Earth in a few more days.

Unless, of course, it gets roasted by the Sun or explodes, which could happen!
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2013
muelldawg wrote:
Lake Pleasant, AZ. A Maricopa County Park on SW corner of lake. Located just NW of Phoenix.

And you can camp "off the grid" on the water. Cost about $10 per night.
Dark sky's, good hiking, and within a short drive of metro Phoenix.

Lake Pleasant has too much ambient light from Phoenix. It would probably be much better out at high desert areas that are farther from the city. Maybe Lake Roosevelt.
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
profdant139

I'm not sure why you say that there is no hiking near The Goosenecks? I think that it's magnificent there.

I'd stay at The Goosenecks, drive up the Moki Dugway, and then out to Muley Point to watch the comet.

We camped next to a German couple that had traveled from Northern Alaska to Patagonia over 10 years in their Unimog. I directed them to Muley Point. We encountered them a few days later, and they said that was the best campsite that they had stayed in over their 10 years of travel.
TenOC
Nomad
Nov 05, 2013
profdant139 wrote:

So, for example, the Gooseneck area would be great, except that there is not a lot of hiking nearby.

You can always drive to the Valley of the Gods and hike there. Or drive up to Natural Bridge NP and hike around the Natural Bridge. Lots of good trails, more than this old man can hike.
TenOC
Nomad
Nov 05, 2013
Pangaea Ron wrote:
profdant139

I'd stay at The Goosenecks, drive up the Moki Dugway, and then out to Muley Point to watch the comet.

While the dirt road to Muley Point was somewhat ruff when I drove there about 5 years ago. There is several good places to camp.
Lauren
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
Tucson has two major observatories; maybe there is a reason! Kitt Peak and then south of town about 30 miles is Mt. Whipple. We live out near Mt. Whipple. There are even laws in our area to limit the light to the skies so as to not affect Whipple.

But we are in civilization and not the desert!