Winter Oberserving

[Scooter]

Is there any one of our sites that people go to during winter besides special occasions? Or is there sites good enough for winter observing that people are willing to share?

[Deane Clark]

As far as I am aware, the only one of our sites that get regular snow removal to any major degree is ELO. The park plows the park roads and our driveway. We usually shovel out the walks so we can at least get into Onan and the classroom. If you want a place to set up your scope, you might have to set up on the driveway or shovel out a space on the concrete plaza.

[SEmert]

Actually, I learned today that we are now having the driveway at Cherry Grove plowed during the winter, so that should now be available in the winter.
Edit: Not that it wasn't before. You could always use whatever was available as long as you parked up on the road since the driveway was plowed in from the county road snow plows.

[Sureshks]

Hi Scooter,

Carver Reserve in Victoria is a site that our members can request permits for, and can use 24/7. We observe there fairly often in the winter since it's pretty close for those of us who live in the west metro. We tend to just use the parking lot in the winter to get away from the snow. As it is part of the Three Rivers park system they keep it plowed pretty well, and it's generally good enough for observing.

Suresh

[Deane Clark]

Actually, I learned today that we are now having the driveway at Cherry Grove plowed during the winter, so that should now be available in the winter.

Great news Steve!
How much are they going to plow? I assume the drive and at least part of the parking area?
In any case, I would expect to do a little shoveling to clear a space to observe that is screened from headlights on the roads.