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Death Valley Astrophotography Adventure - 2 Nights (May 16-17, 2026)

$895.00

Two late-spring nights in the darkest bowl of the Mojave, timed to the new moon on May 16 for maximum star contrast and clean, stackable skies. We’ll work Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for S-curve compositions at golden hour, then push into blue hour → astro with tracked and untracked Milky Way plates. Sunrise options include Badwater Basin’s polygon salt crust, the ochres of Zabriskie Point, and elevated twilight from Dante’s View. May brings warm tones, steady air, and the Galactic Core arcing low enough for foreground-first storytelling—expect graphic silhouettes, rim-lit grasses, long-exposure dune textures, and pinpoint star fields over minimal light domes.

Two late-spring nights in the darkest bowl of the Mojave, timed to the new moon on May 16 for maximum star contrast and clean, stackable skies. We’ll work Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes for S-curve compositions at golden hour, then push into blue hour → astro with tracked and untracked Milky Way plates. Sunrise options include Badwater Basin’s polygon salt crust, the ochres of Zabriskie Point, and elevated twilight from Dante’s View. May brings warm tones, steady air, and the Galactic Core arcing low enough for foreground-first storytelling—expect graphic silhouettes, rim-lit grasses, long-exposure dune textures, and pinpoint star fields over minimal light domes.

Difficulty & pace

  • Rated Easy–Moderate. We’ll make multiple 0.5–2 mile round-trip walks on sand or salt flats carrying camera gear (100–250 ft total elevation per session). Dunes walking is strenuous—expect uneven footing.

  • Night sessions run 3–4 hours with breaks. You should be comfortable hiking back by headlamp.

Heat & safety

  • May can be very hot. We schedule pre-sunrise and late-day field time with a long midday rest. Hydrate constantly (plan 3–4 liters per person per field block) and use electrolytes. Wide-brim hat, sun gloves, and light long sleeves required.

  • We avoid slot canyons and long exposed climbs. If temps exceed safe thresholds or winds create whiteout sand, we pivot to higher, cooler overlooks (e.g., Dante’s View)

Vehicles & roads

  • All primary locations are paved or well-graded. High-clearance 4×4 is required for Racetrack/remote backroads and is not part of this workshop due to tire and remoteness risks; we’ll brief independent add-ons if conditions/permits align.

Logistics

  • Base area: Furnace Creek / Stovepipe Wells corridor for shortest drives.

  • Meeting times: 3:30 pm (afternoon field) and 2:30 am (astro blocks), adjusted to weather/wind.

  • Cell & services: Limited. Keep tanks topped off; carry extra water at all times.

  • Park permits: We comply with NPS guidance; any needed permits are handled by participants for commercial filming/crews if applicable.