[sac-forum] Re: Directions to Dirt Boulevard observing site

I had pointed Steve in this direction at the last meeting. the location I
saw was a bit further east on Agua Caliente road, about 700 ft East of where
the road turns north. Google maps showed a large round area of desert
pavement there, right off the southern edge of the road. Looks like Steve &
AJ went a bit farther and found something further off the road (which is
probably;y a good thing). any I too looked at it's relationship to the
prison & GB. From Steve's Location, the prison is 14.76 miles on a true
bearing of 108Deg.Almost due east. As has been pointed out before, If you're
gonna have lights, east is the best place for them. Gila Bend is 23.5 miles
at 155 degree true.Woolsey Peak & Spring Peak lie in the direction of Gila
Bend and would make a nice light block. Woolsey peak is 3045 feet high and
spring peak is 1945. the line of sight runs between them. the highest point
along the LOS is 1846 ft at 8.25 miles If I remember my high school trig
correctly, Woolsey peak would obscure on 4 degrees of the horizon. 
 
Steve, looks like we may have a winner. We talked about going out there for
the Feb. SP. IS that plan still viable, or are you planning something
sooner?
 
BTW, Dan, Yes it's on the Gillespie Quad.
 
As far as I can see it is indeed BLM land. Andrew, your expertise in
checking that would be appreciated.
 
Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
President
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org


 

  _____  

From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Dan Gruber
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 9:49 PM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Directions to Dirt Boulevard observing site


Got it. It looks very interesting on Google Maps. From TopoZone, I?d say
it?s on the Gillespie 1:24,000 quad. 
 
Somebody previously mentioned concern about the bright prison lights on Rte.
85. I?d say the site is about 15 miles WNW (around PA 290°) from the prison.
However, that bearing line runs right between the Buckeye Hills, which are
due E of the site, and the Gila Bend Mountains, which extend across the
southern horizon of the site. So there doesn?t appear to be anything besides
sheer distance that would further block the prison lights. Of course, you?d
expect the lights to be aimed at the prison yard but there?s no telling how
well shielded they are.
 
As Steve said, the only way to find out is to try it at night. Maybe Peter
Argenziano could bring his new sky brightness meter out there.
 
Many thanks to Steve and AJ for exploring.
 
Dan Gruber
 
-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Steve Coe
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 8:38 PM
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: acrayon@xxxxxxx; Matt Luttinen; Tejera, Rick
Subject: [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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