This field trip will take you to the dark clear skies of East County.  For those of you unfamiliar with Ramona, the drive time from Coronado is about 60-70 minutes.  I recommend carpooling with a classmate/shipmate.

Showtime is listed in your syllabus.  Meet at the entrance to the Mt. Gower Open Space Reserve.  Its located at the end of Gunn Stage Road in the San Diego Country Estates, just outside Ramona. There will be parking along the road, and youll make a short walk along a dirt road to where the telescope and viewing area will be set up..

What to bring:

        These Directions!

        Comfortable clothes & shoes

        Jacket (cooler temperatures at night)

        Flashlight (preferably with a red lens)  You can make a red lens by taking a red balloon and stretching it over the lens of the flashlight, then securing it with a rubber band

        Binoculars (if you have them)

        Lawn chair or lounge chairit will allow you to view the night sky from a relaxed position without straining your neck

Your best bet will probably be to take Interstate 8 East to El Cajon, and take State Route 67 North all the way to the outskirts of Ramona.

Another option is to take Interstate 15 North to the Scripps Poway Parkway exit, and head East.  Eventually youll intersect Highway 67.  Turn left at the light so that youre heading North to Ramona.

Highway 67 will change from a divided highway (around Lakeside) into a scenic, but fairly twisty country road.  As you approach Mt. Woodson, you'll encounter a few more twists.

Once youre a ways past Mt. Woodson, the scenery will open up to reveal rolling hills and ranch land.  You'll continue on 67, coming to charming rural cowtown of Ramona.

The stoplight in Ramona will at the intersection of Hwy 67 and Dye Road.  Turn right on Dye Roadwatch out for a sharp left turn about two miles down, followed by another sharp right turn onto Warnock.  Just after the dairy farm (on your left) next stoplight will be the intersection of Warnock and San Vicente Rd; turn right.  You will continue down San Vicente Rd (its twisty) through the first light (Wild Cat Canyon Rd) into San Diego Country Estates (golf course on your right, small shopping center on your left  The shopping center has a pizzeria, which is a good rallying point.  Its also the last place youll find a rest room!)  Turn left at the next light onto Gunn Stage road.  Follow Gunn Stage for about 2.5 miles to the end of the road; thats where Mt. Gower is located.  Park in the center median portion of the road just before you reach the road's end.

Special note:  Don’t park in open space at end of road!!! That’s where we need to set up the equipment.  Park on road instead.