The Potluck and star party held on Saturday, January 17th was a great success. We hope to have more in this area in the future. If you would like to receive notifications for this and other star parties please email me and I'll add you to the distribution list. -James Yoder
Rattlesnake cove is a recreation area in Tonto National Forest. It is a day-use area with verandas, picnic tables, grills and restrooms(no running water). There is also a beach. We have talked to the rangers, and we have been given permission to stay over night for observing (No camping). This is a fee area (see Expenses/Cost below) and cost is per/car. While we cannot reserve this area, it is lightly used during this time of year, so there should be no problem finding a location to setup.
Time/Schedule: Arrive as early as you want, there are a number of activities you can do. Here is the schedule we have planned: 4:00pm: Potluck (for those who want to participate) - Likely to be held at one of the Verandas close to the beach front area or the lower parking lot. 5:43pm: Sunset, Time to start setting up your astronomy gear (Upper Parking Lot)
Expenses/Cost This is a National Forest Recreation Day use area. Cost for use is per/car - No extra cost if you have a America the Beautiful pass - $8/car to pre-purchase a day use pass at Cave Creek Ranger StationWebsite Link (On the left Just as you turn onto the Bartlett Dam Road on the way to Rattlesnake Cove). You can also purchase a pass from one of the Tonto Pass vendors. - $12/car if you purchase a pass at one of the kiosks
Available Facilities/Services - Verandas, Tables and Grills - Bathrooms - NO RUNNING WATER - LIMITED CELL COVERAGE
Available Activities (plan your own) - Hiking: Palo Verde Trail #512 (There and back again trail) Topo Map - Fishing: Fishing Permits may be purchased on-line through the Arizona Game & Fish website, or the Walmart on Cave Creek Road can help you obtain a fishing license. - Boating/Kayaking etc. - Bring your own gear - Astronomy: The main reason we are using this site, the skies are quite dark here with skyglow from the Phoenix Metro Area to the South-west. Light pollution maps indicate it is about as dark as Picketpost (Bortle 4).
Keeping Warm - Layers of clothing - Warm Socks, gloves, Hat - Hand Warmer
Driving There Google Maps - Rattlesnake Cove Drive time depends on where you are coming from but for most folks in the Phoenix Metro area it should be about 1:20 minutes - Take 101 North (20+ miles? on 101) - Take exit 36 onto North Pima Road (11.3 miles on N. Pima Road) - Take a right onto East Cave Creek Road (4.2 miles On E. Cave Creek Road) - Take a right onto Bartlett Dam Road (12.9 miles on Bartlett Dam Road) - Cave Creek Ranger Station is the first left you can purchase a Day use pass at the office for $8 - Take a left onto North Bartlett Dam Road (0.7 miles on N. Bartlett Dame Road) - Take a right onto East Lower Rattlesnake road (0.5 miles to Rattlesnake Cove Day use area) - Arrive at Rattlesnake Cove
Parking - Map - Parking lot has lower and upper levels, one way traffic - Lower level parking for cooking/pot-luck - Upper level for astronomy (more clear sky area) - Folks leaving early/before midnight should park at end of the upper level parking lot. - Imagers should setup in the middle
Pot Luck
We will be hosting an optional Pot Luck for anyone who is interested in participating, there is no obligation to participate! More details will be posted here as they develop. Sign up for an item(s) on the Sign Up Genius page HERE. Start Time: 4:00 pm
Participants/Assignments (As of 01/12 8pm ) | Name | Party Size | Assignments | ------------------ ---------- ----------- | A. Matthnias | 1 | Gas Stove, Cooking Utensils, Sliced Onions, Tomatoes, | | B. Padgett | 3 | | B. Teague | 2 | Cake | C. Skowronski | 1 | Paper Plates and Napkins, Ketchup, Mustard, Pickles, Relish | J. Pariti | 1 | Desert - Cookies & Cupcakes, Bottled Water (24 pack) | J. Yoder | 1 | Coal, Cooking Oil, Hot Drinks (Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate), Water for hot drinks, 8 Veggie Burgers & Buns, Ice, Coffee Pot | | J. Foreman | 1 | | J. Nystedt | 1 | Styrofoam cups for hot drinks, 8 Hamburger patties and buns | | J. Knittel | 1 | | M. Jencks | 2 | Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad | M. Laskar | 3 | Potato Chips (2), Bottled Water (24) | R.& S. Tong | 2 | Spoons, Forks, Cups, Side Dish - Japchae | S. Bradshaw | 1 | Hamburger patties and buns (8) ----------------------- Total Participants: 20
