SHADY COVE-PERSEIDS METEOR SHOWER CAMPOUT
August 9-11, 2024
Shady Cove Group Campground in the
San Bernardino National Forest near Running Springs.
Once again, the Perseids meteor shower returns to illuminate the night sky with a spectacular display for your viewing pleasure. We have secured 2 group sites at Shady Cove campground high up in the San Bernardino National Forest for this event. The campground is easily accessible, just off a paved road with stunning vistas of the surrounding area. It has forested tent sites and is situated in at an elevation of about 6,000 feet. Amenities include drinking water, picnic tables, vault restrooms, grills, trash containers, group fire ring and plenty of tent space. Plan on getting here during daylight hours for best viewing of the beautiful scenery along the way, Due to parking and space limitations, there is no room for RVs in the parking areas.
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best shooting star displays of the year, caused by the comet Swift-Tuttle discovered in 1862. Watching pieces of comet debris burn up in a bright burst of light, streaking a vivid path across the sky traveling at 37 miles per second is an amazing site! Although the moon will be 50% illuminated at the time of the Perseids' peak, it will set around midnight, so there will be dark skies until dawn — perfect for meteor hunting! On average, you can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour during the Perseid's peak.
For some real adventure during the day, take the short drive from our campsite to the Keller Peak Fire Lookout. You can also hike to the lookout but it’s a steep climb considering it’s perched on the edge of the mountain at 7,882 ft. It’s an active look out station with trained observers who are happy to explain the use of the Osborne, a device used to locate points within the forest when smoke is spotted. The views are awe inspiring! On clear days you can see the ocean, Catalina Island and the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range to the northwest. You can view two memorial plaques at Keller Peak lookout. The first designates the 1926-built tower as a historic landmark. The second, located 200 yards (175 m) to the west, marks the spot where a B-26 bomber crashed on December 30, 1941. Some of the wreckage is still visible.
Hiking, biking and birding are popular activities in the area and many trails begin at or near the campground. There are lots of interesting boulder formations to climb around and photograph and be sure to pick out your favorite boulder for lounging while meteor hunting.
For last minute groceries or dining options, Running Springs offers a variety of dining and shopping options with a grocery store, restaurants and fuel stations. You may also want to visit Lake Arrowhead Village with its many shops, restaurants overlooking the lake and a Stater Bros. supermarket. Lake Arrowhead is a private lake, so no swimming or boating is allowed unless you’re a resident. You can however book a tour of the lake aboard the Arrowhead Queen, a paddlewheel boat that takes you around the lake, pointing out numerous historical homes and sites. Tours leave every hour on the hour from 11:00-5:00. Ticket info: (909) 336-6992
Directions to Shady Cove. From Highway 330, exit at Running Springs. Turn right on Highway 18. Drive approximately one mile to the Deerlick Ranger Station (aka: Children's Forest Visitor Center). Turn right just past the Ranger Station on Keller Peak Road (the street sign was down last time I was there. If you pass the Valero Gas station you went too far) and proceed five miles to the fork in the road. Turn left at the fork and proceed to the Children's Forest Trail Head. Turn left at the Children's Forest Trailhead and follow the signs to Shady Cove, sites B & C. These are group sites so your vehicle may not be adjacent to your tent location.
Tentative Schedule of Events
Friday, August 9th
- Check-in after 2:pm (please don't arrive early, they are strict about this)
- 6pm - Meet n’ Greet. Bring snack or light refreshments to share, if you want
- Group campfire (bring firewood, locally bought if possible)
- Meteor shower viewing; best around midnight but still visible before
Saturday, August 10th
- This is free-form campout where everyone is encouraged to self-organize. Plans for hikes, trips to the lookout tower or picnics by the reservoir can be arranged on Friday or throughout the day.
- 6pm - Potluck (bring a dish to share). Desserts will be provided.
- Group campfire (bring firewood)
- Meteor shower viewing; best around midnight but still visible before
Sunday, August 11th
- 8am – get in an early morning hike or pack up and clean up, say our tearful goodbyes, lots of hugging encouraged!
- 12pm - Check out
Prices: $30 per person. Each person going must complete a separate registration. We do this so each registrant acknowledges our liability waiver condition.
Parking limits: This campout is limited by the number of vehicles allowed at the group sites. Our site comes with only 20 parking spaces. Therefore, we encourage carpooling. Besides, it also saves gas, reduces traffic congestion and pollution, and may earn you the respect and admiration of your peers.
During registration, please note if/who you will be carpooling with. We will assign the first 20 parking spots in the order people register.
If the trip is sold out, please add yourself to the wait list. Based on the number of vehicles from other registrants, you may still be added to the trip in the order added to the waitlist if we can fit you in.
Carpool/ridesharing information: Due to liability and insurance reasons Great Outdoors cannot organize carpools and hike/trip leaders cannot take an active role in making arrangements for participants' transportation. If you would like a ride, or could provide a ride, members can sign up on your own here è https://groupcarpool.com/t/pf3xuy
Payments: This event is limited to GO members. When you register, you'll need to have your credit card (MC, VISA, Discover or Amex.) ready and pay your registration fee within 15 mins. If you are not a member yet, you can first join as a member online at Greatoutdoorsla.org and then return here to register.
Refunds: Cancellation for a refund, minus $10, will be allowed only if there is a waitlist and must be received by August 2nd. All cancellation requests must be sent to the Trip Leader (see email above).
What to Bring: Camp chair, camping/cooking gear, food, warm/cool/wet weather clothing, potluck item, one bundle of firewood per person and the Ten Essentials.
Think eco-friendly. Everyone brings their own reusable plates, utensils, cups, napkins, etc. For the potluck, remember to bring your own serving dishes, bowls or platters with serving utensils. Be sure to pick up your dishes when you leave. Let's aim to minimize trash/ single-use disposables. Thank you for pitching in to keep our camp clean.
Health issues/allergies: It is the responsibility of participants to carry on their person a record of significant allergies, medications and medical history in the event of a medical emergency. Discuss any medical concerns with the hike leader if you wish.
Pets: Are permitted if they are properly restrained and under the control of the owner. Dogs must be licensed, restrained on a leash no longer than six feet, and always attended.
Contact Trip Leaders: Steve Sisneros - via email to hikensteve@gmail.com or text (951) 318-0530 or Wes Stieringer-Sisneros fwsj69@gmail.com
