[AZ-Observing] Re: 5 Mile Meadow, prescribed burns, and other useful info.....

I was planning on taking the beeline, since I'm leaving from work in
Scottsdale about midday Friday. Also may stop and say hi to a friend in
Pine. I think I take the FR229 since Steve's already been down that road and
FR 305 is further up from the direction I'm coming. 
If any one else is leaving from the east side (AJ?), let me know and maybe
we can convoy. I'm planning on leaving work (airpark) about 1200 and hitting
the supermarket for provisions. hope to be on the road by 1300.

Clear Skies
Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: Thad Robosson [mailto:starstarcracker@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 8:47 AM
To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [AZ-Observing] 5 Mile Meadow, prescribed burns, and other
useful info.....


Hey All, 
Well, just got off the phone with a couple different Ranger Stations, and
what I've learned appears favorable given the circumstances.  The one I was
worried about, the Apache Maid/Stoneman Lake burn, there really isn't much
info on.
However, I did learn of a much larger one (2500 acres) that has been going
on 8 miles south of Happy Jack on/around FR81, which is S/SW of our site by
a few miles.  The one nice ranger I talked to knew the area and said the
smoke in general is subsiding ("The only thing blocking the sun is the
clouds").  He even added that the winds "generally" turn to the SW at night,
and any leftover smoke "should" drain into the West Clear Creek basin.
Given our site is higer, we "should" be OK.  He didn't know about the Apache
Maid burn (different ranger district that is not currently available), but
said that any smoke from that also should drain down into Brady Canyon,
given favorable wind conditions....Our mileage may vary, but at least we've
got hope.

Tidbit of Trivial info....the official name of 5 Mile Meadow is "Buck Butte
Meadow".  The guy knew exactly where I was talking about.

Also, he did say that we could save a good bit of time and even more mileage
by getting off of I-17 at exit 306 aka Stoneman Lake Road, aka FR213.
Follow it around the South side of what's left of Stoneman Lake (we may
catch a glimpse of a pocket of water he sez, "don't bother bringing the boat
along"...) and continue on FR213 until you get to Lake Mary Road.  About
five miles after turning onto Lake Mary Road, look for the Ranger Station.
1/4 mile south of that, there's turnoff (a right, headed West) for FR305,
which he says is better than FR229 and shorter, and best of all, takes us to
the same junction where the meadow is.  He added that around Stoneman Lake
there is about 8 miles of washboardy roads, but was very confident sounding
that this is the best route in terms of time and mileage despite this.  Any
thoughts on this Steve Coe?

I did ask about coming in the "back" way on FR229 (from FR213), and he did
say not to bother, that road is nasty.

Hope I've helped, and may we all get a star filled, cloud, smoke, and dew
free weekend. 
Thad





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