WINTER DESERT MEETUP PLANS

Get ready for an awesome community experience out in the Eastern Sierras. Wanted to touch on a few things before we all get there. Below you will find a very detailed itinerary that may / may not represent our reality. Think of it more as a flow than an exact plan. We’ll try to stick to it as much as possible, but it may or may not work out exactly as below. You’ll also find some general information on what to expect and how to carry yourself. Please read this thoroughly and ask any questions you may have prior to arriving.

  • This is a community event. The purpose is to build community, friendships, and learn from each other. Please show up with this in mind.

  • Social awareness is a personal responsibility. Please don’t try to take over the group, sell your zine, say offensive things, and carry yourself in a reasonable and responsible way. If you’re being an a$$hole, we’ll ask you to leave.

  • If you have a large enough vehicle, please offer to carpool. Having a limited / low-key presence will be helpful in some of the places we’re going.

  • Plan on long days and car rides. We chose Ridgecrest because of its proximity to most things, and its infrastructure with hotels and restaurants. That said, some drives will be early and long.

  • Pack food if you can, or pick up something along the way. Bring plenty of water. A cooler with what you need is a good thing. If you have a cooler and have room, help someone else out if they need it.

  • Be cool with your gear. It’s common to swap lenses, try new things, and have fun with all of the gear. This is normal at a meetup. That said, be responsible for yourself.

  • Due to the size of our group, we won’t be taking a headcount at every spot. You are responsible for you. By showing up, you recognize this and hold no one else responsible for your well-being.

General Info and Expectations

ITINERARY

WEDNESDAY, FEB 18

  • Arrive in Ridgecrest

  • Group dinner for anyone who wants to (location TBA)

THURSDAY, FEB 19

For our first day, be sure to pack a lunch or pickup something along the way. Bring plenty of water, as well. Finally, pack a camp chair, and if you have an extra one for someone who doesn’t, bring it along! This will be a long day with a lot of driving. Carpooling is encouraged as much as possible. Make friends in the group chat or at dinner the night before.

  • Depart Ridgecrest by 4:45am

  • Arrive at Alabama Hills at 6:15am (sunrise at 6:25am)

  • Breakfast in Lone Pine from 8-10am

  • Depart Lone Pine for Manzanar at 10am

  • Manzanar from 10:15am - 11am (group photo on airstrip)

  • Depart for Keeler at 11am

  • Arrive at Keeler at 11:30am - 1pm

  • Depart for Trona at 1pm (If you to pickup need lunch, leave Keeler with enough time to still meet at Trona at 3pm)

  • Arrive at Trona entrance at 3pm (stop for gas if needed)

  • Trona Pinnacles at 3:30ish - blue hour (sunset at 5:37pm). As blue hour hits, we’ll have a small fire and for all who partake, bring your favorite beer or whiskey to share with the group. We’re asking everyone who partakes to bring a six or twelve pack to pass around.

FRIDAY, FEB 20

Like the day before, be sure to pack plenty of water. We’ll have a shorter day with much less driving, and more food opportunities. There will be a group break for food mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Go easy though, as we have a restaurant opening up for our group in the evening in Randsburg.

  • Depart Ridgecrest by 5:45am

  • Sunrise at Red Rocks (entrance lot, then into the park)

  • Depart Red Rocks by 9am and back to Ridgecrest

  • Breakfast in Ridgecrest at 930am - 11am

  • Depart Ridgecrest at 11am

  • Arrive at Trona Pinnacles Entrance at 11:30am

  • Explore Trona Pinnacles from 12-2pm

  • Depart for Ridgecrest at 2pm for coffee/break

  • Depart Ridgecrest at 3:30pm for Randsburg

  • Meet in Randsburg at 4pm for town walk

  • Group dinner in Randsburg at The Vault at 6pm

SATURDAY, FEB 21

By Saturday, you hopefully have made some friends. If not, then you missed the point of the entire gathering ;-) This day is a “dealers choice” day, where you can group up with likeminded individuals and pick a journey. Two itineraries will be given - one for a ghost town, and one for a return to Alabama Hills and then Owens Valley & Bishop. Additionally, you may be exhausted and want to head home.

  • Ghost Town: Ballarat & Darwin (Full Day)

  • Return to Lone Pine for Alabama Hills, Owens Valley Observatory, Bishop (Full Day)

  • Coffee and Peace Out

meetup playlist