FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] 3 clubs observing Saturday at "Two Trees" site south of Sedona.

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

Folks from three different clubs are planning a joint observing session on 
Saturday night, at the "Two Trees" site just south of Sedona.  The clubs 
include the Sedona Sirius Lookers, the Astronomers of the Verde Valley, 
and the Coconino Astronomical Society.  The Two Trees site is about 5 
miles south of Sedona, with directions and maps on the site available from 
the Sirius Lookers web site, at 
http://www.users.qwest.net/~emwalczak/HomePageFrame1Events.htm .  Their 
directions are:
"Two Trees Area is between Sedona and Cottonwood, 89A from Sedona to FR 525.  
FR 525 
about 1/3 mile to the Y. Left at the Y to the RC Aircraft field. We set up 
in the field on the left before the RC field. If you are planning on camping at 
Two Trees be sure to buy a Red Rocks 
Pass. I just found out that we are a mile inside the pass area. Buy the 
annual pass for $20 in case you plan on using the site more often."

In addition, coming from the north, it's useful to know the turn-off from 
US89A south to FR 525 is about 8 miles south of the 89A and 179 "Y" in 
Sedona, and about 1 mile past where the speed limit increases to 65 MPH. 
Turn right onto FR 525 and follow directions above.

Coming from the south (e.g. the valley or Prescott area), one should 
proceed to US89A in Cottonwood.  Then head towards Sedona on 89A north. 
About a mile past the Page Springs turn-off there will be a "scenic 
overlook" pulloff on the right.  Just past this is Road 525 to the left. 
Then follow directions above.

For those of you who haven't been there, this is a pretty good wide open 
site, surrounded by low hills that provide a good horizon - blocking out 
all direct lights except from Jerome several miles away up on the side of 
Mingus Mountain.  There is some glow to the south from Cottonwood and 
Phoenix beyond, but the horizon is very good in other directions and it's 
quite dark over much of the sky.  The site is beside an area the local RC 
aircraft club has developed (with National Forest permission), including a 
"porta-john", but their area is of course never used at night.

Weather permitting - current forecast is for partly cloudy - I hope to see 
some of you there, particularly those from northern Arizona.

- Brent Archinal


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