Shooting the Core of the Milky Way (Joshua Tree National Park)

It’s Milky Way season! And I’m shooting the Milky Way on Tuesday, 05/18/2021. The location will be at Cholla Cactus Garden inside of Joshua Tree National Park, where an L.A. astrophotography group went there this weekend under windy conditions. Having read their Meetup board, they were still able to have a great night. But 05/18/2021 will have better shooting conditions than 05/15/2021 because the wind will be a lot weaker.

The plan (just like what the astrophotography group did): In case other than me are interested, we will meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Denny’s parking lot, at 56895 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/56895+Twentynine+Palms+Highway,+Yucca+Valley,+CA+92284/@34.1202533,-116.4232492,3a,75y,100.89h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swo8zCvWELQfOCwUkm5L1yA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x80db27f6f274d007:0x253bd60d431afa30!8m2!3d34.1202343!4d-116.4231236

Then at 7:00 PM, we head to the shooting location.

We go to the Cholla Cactus Garden through the Joshua Tree North Entrance.

After entering the park, we will drive for about 5 miles before turning left on Pinto Basin Road. After about 10 miles, Cholla Cactus Garden will be on the right side. And the cactus garden is a short walk from the parking lot. Feel free to explore the garden to plan your shots. Note that there are no restrooms at this location.

I plan to stay past midnight and into the early morning like what the astrophotography group did. But anyone who attends this event may choose to tailor one’s own schedule.

VHC has done many hikes inside the Joshua Tree National Park. So, please consider that there may be no cellular coverage in the area where we are going. For adequate preparation, I recommend that one uses Google Maps with its offline feature.

Sky quality forecast near the vicinity:

https://www.cleardarksky.com/c/JSAATCAkey.html?1

Recommended Items to Bring:

-DSLR/mirrorless camera (I’m just bringing an APS-C sensor camera because I just gave away my Canon 5D Mark III full frame camera)
-Lens (Preferably wide-angle and fast prime lens)
-Tripod
-Remote shutter release or intervalometer if one plans to use a star tracker and stack pictures
-Lens warmer (in case conditions are too cold)
-Camera batteries
-Memory card
-Lens blower
-Headlamp/Red light
-Trail/hiking shoes
-Warm clothes
-Food/water