The Nat'l Weather Service's forecast for the Fishtrap area looks decent enough
for tonight's SAS Star Party:
"Today: Sunny, with a high near 59. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Calm wind becoming east 5 to 8
mph in the evening."
As an added bonus, at midnight you can catch some trout at Fishtrap Lake
("Opening Day" of fishing season), and see the Lyrid Meteor Shower (
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/lyrid-meteor-shower-peaks-this-weekend/
).
________________________________
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of David
Luders <LudersDG@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 3:36 PM
To: SAS
Subject: [SAS] Re: Friday Fishtrap?
I just drove to/from the SAS Fishtrap dark viewing site on Miller Ranch Road.
Here's a picture of the 4"-5" deep water that is easily traversed:
https://flic.kr/p/SPuiee
[X]Miller Ranch Rd, 20 Apr 2017<https://flic.kr/p/SPuiee>
Miller Ranch Road (150 yards east of the Old State Highway) had 4"-5" of water
over a 150'-long stretch of road. If you drive slowly, you won't have any
problem. The distinctive white house is at the background. From the "high water
mark" left by wetland reeds, the water had been 24"-30" deep.
[https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/33355234803_9663afe177_b.jpg] ;
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/42988571@N08/33355234803/>
[https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/33355234803_9663afe177_b.jpg]
The roads are in good shape to the SAS dark viewing site. The gravel parking
lot has rock ballast and orange cones marking a soft spot:
https://flic.kr/p/TRBzTF
[X]Fishtrap SAS Dark Site, 20 Apr 2017<https://flic.kr/p/TRBzTF>
The Fishtrap BLM "Wildflower Viewing Area" off of Miller Ranch Road is used by
the Spokane Astronomical Society for their "dark site" Star Parties. 1-1/2"
rock ballast covers the large parking lot. Stay out of the coned-off soft area.
Note the unisex vault toilet in the background.
[https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/34035646401_8cc6e5aeae_b.jpg] ;
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/42988571@N08/34035646401/>
[https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/34035646401_8cc6e5aeae_b.jpg]
________________________________
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Nick
Monkman <nmonkman@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 3:12 PM
To: SAS
Subject: [SAS] Re: Friday Fishtrap?
Good info, thanks Dan....and good luck this weekend. Wish I could be there...
On Thu, Apr 20, 2017 at 1:50 PM, Daniel Bakken
<dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I just talked to BLM. Access to the site is good. Water is on part, but should
be OK. There are some cones marking off soft spots in the parking lot, so just
stay away from those. Fingers crossed, but will reserve final call until
tomorrow afternoon for us. I want to see M42 with my new eyepiece!
Dan
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of
David Luders
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:20 PM
To: sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [SAS] Re: Friday Fishtrap?
The National Weather Service's pinpoint forecast for the Fishtrap SAS Dark Site
is good:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-117.86393216764631&lat=47.3327341306059
I say "Let's Go For It!" Who knows what the weather will end up like on the
"official" SAS Star Party on Sat., April 29th....
________________________________
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> on behalf of Eide,
Phyllis <eide@xxxxxxx<mailto:eide@xxxxxxx>>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:12 PM
To: sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Eide, Phyllis
Subject: [SAS] Re: Friday Fishtrap?
Called BLM – no reports of road closures…
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Luders
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:09 PM
To: sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [SAS] Re: Friday Fishtrap?
The Fishtrap BLM site's weather conditions look promising:
http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/FshtrpWAkey.html?1<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.cleardarksky.com_c_FshtrpWAkey.html-3F1&d=DwMFAw&c=C3yme8gMkxg_ihJNXS06ZyWk4EJm8LdrrvxQb-Je7sw&r=Ml_VDo9mLh34fgIsxjlDug&m=cpxb_gVwo90PQm98TaNd1q3SC9ta05aQ4feRg8kuhpY&s=6mVFKZRT_lrR4mJOtgIHnwqDySZYhtS77L8PUs4Ck5I&e=>
Somebody said at the April 7th SAS meeting that he could set up his telescope
on Miller Ranch Road, despite the deep water.
________________________________
From: sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> on behalf of
Michael Finch <michael.finch96@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:michael.finch96@xxxxxxxxx>>
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 1:05 PM
To: sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:sas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [SAS] Re: Friday Fishtrap?
I wonder if the flooding has subsided?
_____
Message from:
Michael L. Finch
Spokane, WA 99208
E-mail: michael.finch96@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:michael.finch96@xxxxxxxxx>
On Thu, Apr 20, 2017 at 1:03 PM, Daniel Bakken
<dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Itching to get out, Friday night looks possible. Anyone know the current
conditions at Fishtrap? Any interest?
Dan
![https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/33355234803_9663afe177_b.jpg]](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2935/33355234803_9663afe177_b.jpg] ){kind=link}
![https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/34035646401_8cc6e5aeae_b.jpg]](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2936/34035646401_8cc6e5aeae_b.jpg] ){kind=link}
