FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site (formerly Painted Rocks State Park)

[gene lucas <geneluca@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Painted Rocks Reservoir is one of those "intermittent" AZ lakes that 
only fills when there is extraordinary run-off on the Salt/Gila River 
watercourse.  Some years back, when we had the "500-year flood(s)" -- 
several years in a row -- when the second Mill Ave. bridge span was 
under construction and the concrete forms collapsed from the water flow, 
Painted Rocks was either the no. 1 or no. 2 sized lake in the state (for 
a few months).  (Alamo Lake is another similar reservoir/holding area 
farther downstream.)
It was quite a number of years ago that SAC tried observing there, and I 
am sure conditions have changed.
As I arrived there after dark, I was not aware that we were at "the lake 
unit"; I think that was still some distance up the road from where we 
observed.  My recollection was that there was an entrance unit with 
camping, and then the second "improved" area, neither of which were very 
close to the lake.  One of the units features the petroglyphs.   As the 
water level has undoubtedly fallen dramatically and stayed low since 
then, I would not be surprised to hear that "the lake unit" was closed.  
Could be "miles" from the former lakeshore.  Also, the reservoir was 
heavily contaminated (even when it held supplies of water), and fishing 
was strongly discouraged.  All this >may< imply an area that is >not< 
popular with campers, just the thing for observing!
Gene Lucas
(17250)

Brent A Archinal wrote:

>I've been following the messages about possible alternate observing sites 
>to the Sentinel site, and was interested in hearing Steve Coe's and 
>others' reports about a "Painted Rocks State Park" (and also "Picture 
>Rocks State Park").  Having looked carefully at lists of AZ state parks 
>before, I was surprised that I did not recall hearing of this park before. 
> The reason, according to their web site at 
>http://www.blm.gov/az/pfo/paint.htm, is that it was a state park at one 
>time, but is no longer.  The current official name is the Painted Rocks 
>Petroglyph Site, and it's under BLM management.  The web site also notes 
>that there was once a "Lake Unit" with camping and access to a lake and 
>dam, but that area is now closed.  I'm guessing that may be one of the 
>areas that Gene Lucas refers to in his e-mail about a SAC star party there 
>several years ago.  However, maybe someone from SAC could get special 
>permission to use that part of the site?  If possible that might guarantee 
>a "disturbance-free" (other campers, lights, cars, illegal aliens) star 
>party.
>Given the distance from Flagstaff, I haven't observed at Sentinel yet or 
>even been in the area of these sites and of Painted Rocks.  But I hope to 
>make it down at some point on a long weekend for observing.  At least it's 
>a little warmer than the -5 F at my house this morning...
>
>- Brent
>
>
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