Milky Way core season is here and Joshua Tree is already packed

Last weekend I drove out to Joshua Tree for the first real core season shoot of the year. Got there around 10pm expecting a quiet Friday. The parking area near Skull Rock was full. Full. I counted at least a dozen other photographers with trackers set up, plus a few groups just hanging out with phone flashlights pointed everywhere.

I get it, the core rising over those rock formations is one of the best frames in Southern California. But the stray light from all those phones and headlamps is becoming a real problem. I ended up driving another 45 minutes deeper into the park to get anything usable.

For anyone else shooting out there this season, are you finding better results at Anza Borrego now? Or specific spots in the Mojave that haven't gotten as crowded? I'm also wondering if weeknight runs are the only real answer at this point. Would like to hear what's working for others.