[sac-forum] Directions to Dirt Boulevard observing site

Howdy all;

 

A.J. and I took some time off of work this Friday and drove out to try and
find a spot that we could use to replace Flatiron.  I believe that we did
just that.  Obviously, we need to spend some time at the site during the
night, but it does look good so far.  I will give the Lat and Long position
from AJ's GPS receiver, so that the map geniuses in the group can try this
place out from the comfort of their computers.

  

33 15.125  

112 53.749  

983 ft. altitude.

 

It is beyond the little town of Arlington, Az. and off of Aqua Caliente
road.  The trip involves 6 miles on a dirt road, but it is pretty well
maintained.  The good news is that there appears to be no interest in
staking this place out for a housing project.  So, maybe it will last for at
least a while.  There is enough room for 100 vehicles, it is a desert
pavement larger than either Flatiron or Sentinel.  And, it appears to be on
BLM land as far as my old map tells me.  I will listen to others with more
computerized map info than me.

 

Please do me one favor, I have had some trouble posting to the freelists,
let me know that this got posted OK.  Directions to follow.

 

Thanks;

Steve Coe

 

Directions to the "Dirt Boulevard" observing site

 

Drive west on I-10 and turn south at Hwy. 85 as if going to Gila Bend.
About 5 miles south of the freeway is a well marked three way stop with a
Shell station on the northeast corner.  This is the last place to stop for
ice or other supplies.

 

Go straight through the three way intersection and the highway bends sharply
right, get in the right lane.  In 0.7 mi is a sign that directs you toward
Arlington, Az.  Turn right at the sign, it is before the wide bridge over
the Hassayampa River.  You will immediately notice a sign that says "Old
U.S. Hwy 80".  Stay on Old Hwy 80 for about 12 miles, along the way are two
stop signs, take a left at the first and a right at the second, staying on
Old Hwy 80, traveling west.

 

After you pass the Arlington Post Office and the Desert Rose Bar and Grill
is a sign for Aqua Caliente road, it is a right turn.  On the left side of
the highway is an abandoned cotton gin.  

 

Turn right onto Aqua Caliente road and zero your odometer at this point.
Turn right again onto a dirt road that is 0.6 miles from the turnoff.  At
2.8 miles you will pass under a set of power lines.  At 5.3 miles there is a
cattle guard.  At 5.5 miles is a yellow sign to warn you that the road turns
right, but don't go that direction.  Take a left at the fork in the road and
you will be on the "Dirt Boulevard".  It is a very wide dirt road, actually
two of them, with a median strip in the middle.  At 6.0 miles there is a
very large desert pavement on the right.  It is a large, pretty flat area of
dark rocks.  That is it, turn right off the Dirt Boulevard and set up your
scope.  

 

Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant is 12 miles north.  Sentinel is 29 miles
southwest.

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