EVAC has been using another east valley site, unofficially, for the past few months. This is the Picketpost Mountain Trailhead - located a tad closer to the mountain from the official Local site, Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Some folks prefer this site to BTA because it is further from the road, the ground is more level, and there are restrooms available.

How To Get There

To get to the Picketpost Mountain Trailhead site, take US 60 east past Florence Junction. As you come down from Gonzales Pass, watch out for the green Mile Marker 221 sign. Just past that you will see a yellow 'Truck Crossing' sign... and just past the sign is FR 231. The road is now easier to spot than in the past, as there is now a familiar brown sign indicating the trailhead. You'll know it's the right road because there is a small windmill visible just after you make the right turn. Follow the well-graded road about half a mile to where it dead-ends into another road. Another brown sign indicates that you should make a left turn (staying on FR 231) to get to the trailhead. This section of the road is asphalt. Follow the narrow road about a half mile until it ends at the trailhead. This site is easily accessed by any vehicle. When you reach the trailhead, bear to the right and circle around until you see the larger, flat area. Refer to the map below, ignoring the fact that it disregards the standard convention of showing north at the top.

Site coordinates:  33° 15' 21" N        111° 16' 26" W     Elevation 2375'

Map to the Picketpost Mountain Trailhead site

Alternate Observing Site #2 - Griffin Ranch EVAC has recently begun evaluating another site, primarily for use during the warmer months. This site should provide some relief from the higher temperatures at the sites on the desert floor. The site is an unmarked campground in the Tonto National Forest at an elevation of approximately 4500 feet with good horizons and very small light domes to the west from Globe and Phoenix. The campground is quite large and is fairly level. How To Get There To get to the Griffin Ranch site, take US 60 east through Globe. The turnoff to the site is just past mile marker 268 on US 60, 17 miles north of Globe. On the right is a sign for the Jones Water campground. Turn left instead onto Forest Road 303 /Griffin Ranch. Go 2.2 to 2.3 miles north along the dirt road to the camp site which is on the left. Griffin Ranch is approximately a mile in. This site may not be usable on popular camping weekends, as it will serve as overflow when the nearby Jones Water campground is full.  Coordinates:   33° 37' 07" N     110° 39' 44" W         Elevation 4600'                    Map to the Griffith Ranch site Red spot is approximate site location Alternate Observing Site #3 - Five Mile Meadow During the warmer months many stargazers seek an observing site off of the desert floor, where the nights are cooler. This site is located near Happy Jack at an elevation of about 6,800'. The one major restriction from the ranger station is that you are not allowed to drive into the middle of the meadow. Please stay near the tree line. How To Get There From the East Valley just head north on Highway 87 (the Beeline) toward Payson. Stay on 87 through Payson, Pine, Strawberry, and Clint's Well. This is the gas station, restaurant, and ranger station on your left. After passing through Clint's Well, turn left onto Forest Highway 3, aka Lake Mary Road (in red on the map below). As you drive north you will pass the Happy Jack RV Park on the left and a large area of trees devastated by forest fire. After about 12 miles, look for mile marker 301 and reduce your speed to spot a dirt road on your left. A sign identifies this road as 'Bar D Ranch'. You know you're on the correct forestry road if you see a couple of brown signs: a small one displaying 229 and another with the distance to Bar D Ranch. About 1½ miles later you will pass under some high voltage power lines, and cross over a cattle guard after another 1½ miles. Make no turns off of the well-maintained road and you will reach a crossroad marked with a brown sign displaying 305. The site is just ahead, past the crossroad and to the left. The meadow is elongated in an easterly direction, and if you stay on the original road (229) you will arrive on the north side, where it is best to set up. Coordinates:     34° 43' 10" N     111° 26' 35" W     Elevation 6834' Map to the Five Mile Meadow site Lake Mary Road shown in red The East Valley Astronomy Club (EVAC) is not responsible for the property or liability of any star party participant, nor will the club be held liable for their actions or possessions. EVAC is not responsible for any vehicular damage, theft, or mechanical difficulties that may occur while attending a star party.