[AZ-Observing] Leaving at Noon on I-17 for Happy Jack
- From: "Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 26 Sep 2003 08:55:24 -0700
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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