[AZ-Observing] Re: Leaving at Noon on I-17 for Happy Jack

 I should be there about the same time.  I don't have a CB though. 
Ken 

Steve Coe wrote: Howdy folks; 
I hope to see lots of people up in the High Country enjoying themselves this

weekend.  That was always the motivation that AJ and I had while looking for

this observing spot which became "5 Mile Meadow".  I will post the 
directions one last time at the end of this message.  It is just a large 
open spot in the trees, so bring all that you need to be comfortable over 
the weekend.  There is a small store at both Clint's Well and at the Happy 
Jack Lodge.  There are also pay showers at the Lodge. 

Dave Fredericksen and I are leaving at Noon Friday from the Waffle House at 
Bell Road and I-17.  We will be chatting on Channel 15 on the CB radio.  You

are welcome to join us. 

Clear Skies to us all; 
Steve Coe 

Author "Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist" 
Saguaro Astronomy Club website 
www.saguaroastro.org 

Dark Site near Happy Jack, Arizona 

"Five Mile Meadow" 

Take I-17 north to the Verde Valley turnoff and go east on Hwy. 260, the 
General Crook Trail, for about 30 miles east of the town of Camp Verde.  The

road ends in a "T" with Hwy. 87.  Turn left (generally north) and drive 
about 12 miles, through the little town of Clint's Well.  This is the gas 
station, restaurant and ranger station on your left.  After you pass through

Clint's Well, there is a left turn lane that will allow you to turn left 
onto Forest Highway 3, aka Lake Mary Rd.  As you drive north on Lake Mary 
Road you will pass the Happy Jack RV park on the left and pass through a 
large area of trees where there has been a forest fire. 

After about 12 miles on Lake Mary Road, look for mile marker 301 and slow 
down to look for a dirt road on your left.  The sign for this road says "Bar

D Ranch".  You will know you are on the correct forestry road by two brown 
signs, a small one with number 229 and another, larger, with Bar D Ranch 
distance.  You will pass under high voltage power lines at about 1.5 miles 
and there is a cattle guard at about 3 miles.  If you make no turns off the 
well maintained road then you will reach a cross road marked 305, on a brown

sign.  The meadow is straight ahead, past the cross road and just to the 
left.  The meadow is elongated in an easterly direction and, if you stay on 
the original road 229 it will take you just to the north side, where it is 
best to set up.  About 1/10 of a mile past the cross road is an opening in 
the trees to your left that leads to an opening where you can set up.  I 
called this site "Five Mile Meadow" because it is about 5 miles from the 
pavement on the forestry road. 

Important:  the one major restriction from the ranger station is "do not 
drive into the middle of the meadow"! 

Stay near the tree line. 

      North 

       FR 229 

        To Winslow 

      Happy Jack 

       East 

      Hwy 87 

     I-17 

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