FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: No. AZ Observing Sites & Forest Closures

["Brent A Archinal" <barchinal@xxxxxxxx>]

AJ -

Although "overnight camping" is not allowed in the parking lot itself, the 
nearby surrounding area (that is not in Wupatki National Monument) is all 
in the Coconino National Forest and is open (even now with all the fire 
restrictions) to camping.  E.g. a mile or two before you reach the parking 
lot, there is a FS dirt road off to the right where one could pull in and 
camp.  The horizon's of course slightly better at the parking lot, but 
since this area is all Pinyon, the horizon is not really that bad anywhere 
unless you want to look relatively close to the horizon.

There is also a developed campsite (Bonito Campground) about 15? miles 
away on this same loop road, by Sunset Crater.  See 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/volcanic/bonito_camp.html for info.  The 
Cinder Hills Overlook nearby (at about 8000') in the Sunset Crater 
monument is also an adequate observing site although not as dark as around 
Wupatki.  The Crater rises high in the southwest, but this blocks most of 
what light there is here from Flagstaff. 

A map of this whole area is available as 
http://www.nps.gov/wupa/ppmaps/wupamap.pdf

By the way, I've also been told by a ranger at Wupatki that sites there 
could be used for overnight observing and camping (and there are several 
very good such sites), but only after requesting and receiving a special 
use permit.  They don't really have any objection to a few people staying 
overnight to observe, but they're of course very concerned about pot 
hunters, etc. stealing stuff at night.

- Brent

----- Forwarded by Brent A Archinal/GD/USGS/DOI on 06/01/2002 01:02 PM 
-----


AJ Crayon <acrayon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent by: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
05/31/2002 06:26 PM
Please respond to az-observing

 
        To:     az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
        cc: 
        Subject:        [AZ-Observing] Re: No. AZ Observing Sites & Forest 
Closures


Bill, guess that shoots a two nighter down for that site.  Coming from 
Phoenix, a
trip that far is a bit much for an overnighter - unless it was for 
something
special.

Thanks,
aj

BillFerris@xxxxxxx wrote:

> AJ Crayon wrote:
>
> > Bill, do people camp there for a couple of days or so?  I'm thinking 
of say
> > Friday through Sunday.  Is this even allowed?
>
> Unfortunately, overnight camping isn't allowed at Doney Mtn picnic area.
> There was a couple from New Jersey who spent the night in their rented 
RV
> following an observing session with some members of CAS. Apparently, 
they
> weren't disturbed. I've never encountered any forest service staff 
during the
> handful of times I've observed there.


--
This message is from the AZ-Observing mailing list.  See this message's
header if you want info about unsubscribing or the list's archive.

This is a discussion list.  Please send personal inquiries directly to
the message author.  In other words, do not use "reply" for personal
messages.  Thanks.