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eR1c
   
location:
Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
 |  |  | Skaggs Island -Military Base??
< on 8/26/2005 2:47 AM >
|  | | | Hey All,
I had a small amount of time to explore Skaggs Islang.
I believe it was a military base... that has now been closed.
Like nearby Mare Island, as soon as the military left it has become very accesible.
I went and briefly checked it out. The front gate had a hole in the chain fence, and the main guard room/post on the inside of the gate was completely vandalized. I walked about 1/4 mile past the gate and saw that the road went for quite a distance... In the distance I was able to see several structures that all looked interesting from a distance.
I did not have enough time to make a day out of the trip.. so I had to turn back.
curious if anyone has been out there? what's all to see?
-on the subject, I've noticed some other structures along HWY 37 that all look very promising....
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eR1c
location:
Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 1 on 8/26/2005 2:58 AM >
| | | | here is a link to a sattelite image of skaggs island,
http://mapper.acme...3&height=2&dot=Yes
-in the norhtern corner of the island you'll notice a loarge cluster of structures... there are also some radio towers and other interesting structures spread out around the island, the majority are in the northern corner though.
-the ghost town of Wingo is nearby...just to the north east slightly of skaggs island, ...w/in walking/biking distance it looks like... (i made a post about wingo in another thread about a month ago).
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Yuichi Kanai
 
location:
Oakland, CA
Gender: Male
| | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 2 on 8/26/2005 3:16 AM >
| | | | Yup, but I don't have any pictures, though. I recall on the day I sucessfully reached Skaggs, became my private day of infamy and triumph to me (which I now share with you), I was the catalyst in a civil war; months later, I discover the bad guys who I felt were the good guys at the time and the actual good guys who I thought out of control needed to fsck themselves. But in the end, the true ass hat badguys get fscked, ehehe. I feel semi-vindicated, ahahaha. Next, I'm going to burn their f'n flag and I'm going to video tape it. Yep, no pictures, so I got to use a thousand words. Damn that was ambiguous, sorry.
Can you really get on Mare Island? I got on there years ago just after they closed, I said "yeah" to the guy when he said something unintelligible and cruised in. But it turns out that really, he said "Are you going to the golf course?". About an hour later the security guy sees me on the north end (by 37) no where near the golf course I knew nothing about. Of course, nothing at all is opened, since it's so fresh. So, I get escorted to the gate! My excuse was "Oh, was that what you were asking?". So everytime I've attempted (twice) to go past the private security at the security gate I've been denied. Your pictures capture what I totally missed, eR1c
It sounds like you went to Skaggs Island from Hwy 37? If so, to get to Skaggs, you really have to go in from the North end of the "Island", and you're going to have to have a map. Then you're going to see something, oh yeah. I just parked right there at the gate, didn't seem like anybody cared.
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eR1c
location:
Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 3 on 8/26/2005 3:46 AM >
| | | | -skagg's:
yep, the north side seems like a better way to enter.
I am going to fix my mountain bike so I can travel quicker... out there around skaggs and mare island a bike is the way to go...
I'll be checking out skaggs in about a month or so... i have a wedding to go to next weekend, and then off to Mexico for a long deserved vacation... going to see the ruins in Chichen Itza and all that... nice 
-Mare:
yes, I too remember trying to get on the island once in the past but a police cruiser sitting in front of the gate wouln't let me get in... seemed they were pretty on top of it.
Not sure what changed, but the north gate from HWY 37 was wide open when I visited last weekend.. i drove right in and explored... i was stopped by a police cruiser in the north area... only after I went in and out of a building.. I actually wonder if there are cameras? as he was all over me as soon as I came out of the building. I know there was no way he saw me go in, as no one was around and I was very stealth. He told me to stay out of the buildings... that was it. I continued south on the island and checked out the rest it had to offer... didn't see the cop again.
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Code_Finder
location:
SF,CA
Gender: Male
North of Nellis AFB access rd east of Rachel
| |  | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 4 on 9/5/2005 8:12 PM >
|  | | | Look at my journal for Skaggs Island Info. I will put up a few pics soon, but i'm not feelin this site too much with the member status bullshit so if you want more photos email me.
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eR1c
location:
Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 5 on 9/6/2005 6:09 PM >
| | | | hey code_finder,
how do I view your journal??
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scabskate
location:
Marriottsville, Maryland
Gender: Male
| |  | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 6 on 9/6/2005 7:36 PM >
| | | | Posted by eR1c
hey code_finder,
how do I view your journal??
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click his name and then click the icon that says "view this user's journal"
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Code_Finder
location:
SF,CA
Gender: Male
North of Nellis AFB access rd east of Rachel
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 7 on 9/7/2005 6:14 PM >
| | | | Do you get into it?
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eR1c
location:
Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 8 on 9/7/2005 11:19 PM >
| | | | got it, thanks!
yep, I too got into skaggs, but realized I'd need a bike to visit all the area had to offer...
i am fixing my bike tonight, accessing what it needs exactly... it's been in storage for a few years..
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greater
Gender: Female
| | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 9 on 11/13/2005 6:53 PM >
| | | | I took a trip out there today with my bike. There are not any no trespassing signs, and the gate is open. It's not a short ride to the base itself... but not too long. The main concentration of buildings is really cool, tons of places to go inside. I didn't have too much time and only iso 125 film so I didn't go inside much. There's an incredible amount of graffiti too, it makes me wonder why people bother to tag out in the middle of nowhere. There's a larger building off in the distance to the left as you ride toward the base; I might go back and check that out. I went to the top of the water tower you can see in the distance from the highway nearby too. Beware: there's tons of bird crap (I think) up there.
It's definitely a place to go back to. Fairly easy access (after a 10 minute or so ride across flat desolate land... it feels like a long time), lots to see.
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greater
Gender: Female
| | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 10 on 11/13/2005 6:55 PM >
| | | | -on the subject, I've noticed some other structures along HWY 37 that all look very promising....
I went up a few of those side roads too, most of those buildings are inhabited or are privately owned and have people next door in a less rundown house.
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darkstuff
location:
NorCal
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 11 on 11/14/2005 6:54 PM >
| | | | Tried this location Sunday night from the north. Locked gate, but very easy to get in. Tons of abandoned 50's-style houses, quonset huts, old ball field, and that was just the tip of the iceberg. By the way, structures are slated to be demolished, and the entire area is going to be restored to wetlands, so this location won't last forever.
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darkstuff
location:
NorCal
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 13 on 11/22/2005 6:56 PM >
| | | | Took the bike out here again last Thursday and explored one of the larger structures in the center of the island away from all the other structures. The big one was a three story building that was trashed on the inside and had lots of round holes blown through the walls and roofs--it looked like the fire department had been practicing out there. There were some large metal cabinets near this structure with not too much equipment left inside, but conduits still in place and even some unbroken gauges. Looked like oversized school lockers.
Seems like the best stuff is back by the north gate. Many structures to explore, and quite a variety too. Have added a few more shots to the flickr set below, and here's a sample to whet your appetite
http://www.flickr....xwal/sets/1370834/
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eR1c
location:
Nor-Cal
Gender: Male
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 14 on 11/22/2005 7:24 PM >
| | | | very nice photos!!!
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Tvanwey
location:
Palo Alto, CA
Gender: Female
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 15 on 11/25/2005 4:55 AM >
| | | |
These pics are great! Did you do this with light writing? I have heard about that technique but I don't really know how to do color photography. Im just one of those newbs that only knows how to do black and white, but I really want to learn color.
Anyways where do you drive to get to skags and then where is the trailhead for biking? I hope I can check out this area sometime soon.
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birdy
Gender: Male
| | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 16 on 11/27/2005 11:34 AM >
| | | | Just joined this group to give you some info I've learned.
I just returned from Skaggs and the gate from RT 37 to it's south is open.
The base was a secure information facility involving incrypted messaging for ships at sea, at least.
If you want to really see it; go to Google and use Google Earth; [on Google page - choose 'More' link above search cel, and on 'more' page; bottom of left collumn find 'Earth'link']
Search for "Novato, CA" and then find 37 running east from 101, follow it east past Infineon [raceway] and 121 til you find Skagg's Island Rd nearby running north from it.
A bridge crosses a thin strip of water going north, passing a ransacked guard booth with only the 'in' side gate open 'and takes you in.
The first intersection has a deadend spoke to the right [east] to a bldg. full of heavy air handling and power supplies. Picture your fuse/breaker box enlarged floor to ceiling, - times several. A LOT of power!!
If you zoom in, the large white units in the parking lot are cooling units, not semi trailers.
Didn't have time or light to explore, but it is multiple floors, metal decks with catwalks.
Notice the circlular pattern around the bldg. Either security fence or the remains of the "Elephant Cage antenna" receivers used to catch the signals, that were a large circle of poles suporting wires.
Turning the other spoke [west] takes you to the titled Navy Security' bldg. Which inside is multifloors of offices.
A little further down Sgagg's Isl Rd. just before it passes over another thinner strip of water there is a turnoff to the right which is a gravel track, very bumpy, that takes you to what I think is an incinerator. This path can be seen but is not overlayed and titled on the 'Earth' photo.
It's just NW of the words 'Napa Slough' A gate stops you from driving to it all the way. A small square bldg. with a large round funnel shaped roof/exaust[?]
Continuing Skagg's Isl rd. takes you to the Main Base and you approach it down a corridor of fat low [25'] palm trees so lush it feels like south pacific.
base is standard issue bldg's; Dorm, duplex and single houses, store, bowling alley, theatre, etc., all trashed and scavenged. Just past these and around a curve the road is high fenced and closed, with a hay farms barns on the other side.
I'm curious why the base and the the 2 other major bldg's. are so far apart.
Reception interference? Security?The roads are paved and of course all level, but really overgrown on each side, so you drive down the middle. Good biking it seems.
Lots of birds. we saw MANY hawks at the same time right around us, and a beatiful large pheasant and mate. And leaving SEVERAL!! owls flew just in front of us at 10-20 feet and led us out of the camp down the palm drive. Almost like the dolphins [or is it porpioses] bow riding ahead of us. Amazing.
birdy |
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greater
Gender: Female
| | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 17 on 11/28/2005 1:17 AM >
| | | | How'd you get your car past the locked gate? It wasn't a problem for me with my bike, but a car...
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birdy
Gender: Male
| | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 18 on 11/28/2005 2:50 AM >
| | | | The swing arm gate was wide open, as was the guard post gate [inbound only]saw no cars but there were 2 [20's?] males dressed dark lurking and then making themselves seen as we left the base camp near dark.
By the way; the round holes in the bldgs. are from more recent [not WWII] Navy Seals training for Black Ops - in and out extracations, etc.
Google-ing Skagg's Island brings up reams of info, mostly birding or reclaimation. That's how I found this site yesterday and where I got most of the info.
birdy |
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darkstuff
location:
NorCal
| | | Re: Skaggs Island -Military Base??
<Reply # 19 on 11/28/2005 5:38 PM >
| | | | Great information on the south entrance--thanks. Must try this entry now. Sounds like there are a couple more buildings to visit.
BTW, on earlier question, photos from trips there used lots of light painting--camera set on tripod for long exposure, with flashlight or electronic flash used to enhance scene. Most exposures were 2 minutes +, so there is a lot of time to play with the light.
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