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truly distinguishes Fremont Peak State Park. "The view is one of the best features. If you look straight to the west, you line up with the Moss Landing towers, so you have a perfect view of the Monterey Bay all the way from Santa Cruz from Pacific Grove. On a clear day, you can see the waves breaking," Davis says, adding that sunsets at the park are second to none. On those clear days, visitors take in 360- degree panoramas that stretch across Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey Counties, along with the Santa Lucia, Gabilan and Diablo Ranges. And, thanks to the park's dis- tance from cities and light sources, it has long been popular with professional and amateur astronomers. After telescope maker Kevin Medlock partnered with California State Parks to install his 30-inch Challenger telescope at Fremont Peak in 1986, a nonprofit formed to establish an observatory and an array of public programs that now span three decades. "A primary element of our mission is astro- nomical outreach. We share with members of the public the wonders of the night sky," says Fremont Peak Observatory Association (FPOA) president Doug Brown. "We teach people about astronomy, and what is out in the universe and where are we in it, as well some of the history and dynamics of what's going on out there." More than 100 local and distantly located members support FPOA, leading viewing events, astrophotography sessions and presenta- tions for guests. Local university students also volunteer, enjoying rare technical experiences that sometimes inspire them to pursue related Fremont Peak, which is part of the Gabilan mountain range, is now a registered California Historical Landmark. A monument and memorial at the park honor John C. Fremont, and several television and radio stations transmit from the 188-acre park. 128 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 Snow may fall in the park, offering visitors coming from Monterey Bay beaches a sampling of Monterey County's many microclimates—sunny, dry, foggy, damp, hot and cold. Photo: Derek Davis