While my first day at Joshua Tree National Park was mostly driving and setting up camp, my first night I spent at Pinto Basin pullout trying to capture the stars. A park suggested by a ranger at the visitor center because it’s the darkest part of the park. I spent several hours sitting and waiting but too many factors were against me and I only ended with one usable image (click photo for full-screen image to see details):
Joshua Tree – Stars at Pinto Basin
Definitely not my best but I’m not sad about it. There’s always something unforeseen (in this case light pollution stronger than I anticipated & particulate matter from either the desert / LA smog / CA wildfires).
More hiking activity in day 2 – stay tuned!
Lat = 33.8010406 , Long = -115.7814865 -- Show at Google Maps