[AZ-Observing] New Eagle Eye Site to try and some fun observing

Howdy all;
I have had a very fun two nights of observing.  Thursday was much better than 
Friday.  I had a problem and I think I have fixed it.  The problem is that the 
posted site on Eagle Eye road is WAY too well known.  I heard that it appeared 
in a recent article in the newspaper about fun things to do with your All 
Terrain Vehicle.  So...... 

Between 9 AM when I was awakened by the noise of 5 ATVs and 11 AM when I had 
eaten breakfast and packed up to leave, there were another 15 or so ATVs.  They 
are being hauled up to the site on 20 foot long trailers in lots of 4 or 5 at a 
time.  Then tents are set up for the night and the ATVs are started up to make 
their way to the top of Harquahala Peak.  So, I started looking for a new site 
to use for observing.

I found a place where I think we can set up 12 to 15 vehicles easily and there 
is room for another 10 on the same road.  Here are the instructions to what I 
will call the: 

"Eagle Eye Survey Site"

Get on the I-10 freeway going west, as if going to Los Angeles.
Take Salome Rd. (exit 81) right and stay on Salome Rd. north for
10 miles from the freeway.  Take a right (north) at Eagle Eye Road.
Go 10.2 miles on Eagle Eye road, you will pass the sign for the Harquahala Mt. 
Road (the site we used to use before it got crowded).  Just after mile marker 
10 the paved road turns right, you will turn left (west) onto a dirt road.  Go 
5/10 of a mile on the dirt road and there will be a plastic white stake survey 
marker and an open area to your left.  That is the spot.  If you go too far, 
the road descends into a wash and becomes a very difficult jeep trail with many 
rocks.

Before the road deteriorates, it is easily good enough for any of the low 
riders to get into.  The dirt road is about the same as the road to Flatiron.

I did not get a chance to use this site under dark conditions because I left 
under cloudy skies, thinking that I would drive back and just have one night's 
observing.  But, the clouds cleared off and I stopped at Flatiron on the way 
home to find John Welch and several other observers setting up scopes.  Then 
Marshall joined in and we had a fun evening.

So, if someone does try this spot in the next couple of nights, let us hear 
about it.  I would be very interested to know if it seems worth the trip.

Clear Skies to us all;
Steve Coe



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