This is going to be somewhat long. If you're not planning on joining us
next week for the El Camino del Diablo expedition, you can probably skip
this posting.
We will be meeting next Sunday, January 19, at 8:30 AM at the Wellton
entrance gate to the Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR). Directions below.
We will probably enter the range very soon after 8:30, so if you are
late you will have to enter on your own and catch up to us. However, we
will wait for you if you can reach us by radio (FRS or CB: Channels 2
and 12, Amateur: 146.52 simplex).
Important reminders:
All adults (18+) must have an individual permit. Search the email
archives on azgeocaching.com for more information on how to obtain a
permit.
Fill up your gas tank in Wellton. There are no services within BMGR.
Bring sufficient food and water.
Don't forget to call the telephone number you were given when you
received your permit to advise them of the required information, and to
receive any information on travel restrictions for the period you tell
them you plan to be in BMGR. Call before you leave in the morning. The
number is staffed 24/7, and there is no guarantee of any cellular phone
coverage, even at the gate.
Directions:
After driving myself nuts trying to get the columns to line up even in
plain text, I decided instead to attach a text file with the directions.
You can line them up on your own computers if necessary.
Finally, since someone asked in an earlier post, you may be interested
to know that the authors rate the difficulty of the road a 4 on a a
scale of 1-10 high. They define Difficulty 4 as: "High-clearance 4WDs
are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Expect a rough
road surface with rocks larger than 6 inches, but there will be a
reasonable driving line available. Patches of mud are possible but can
be readily negotiated; sand may be deep and require lower tire
pressures. There may be steam crossings up to 12 inches deep,
substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades, and
sections of moderately loose road surface."
Using a similar scale, they rate the scenic attractiveness at 9.
Steve
Team Tierra Buena
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness". -- Dave
Barry
El Camino del Diablo Directions:
First, some disclaimers -- I have not tried these directions myself. I am copying these directions, mileages, and coordinates from a book that has proven itself to me to be reliable in the past, "Backcountry Adventures: Arizona" by Peter Massey and Jeanne Wilson. Also, I am not certain that the directions identify where the gate is located, but we will meet wherever the gate happens to be along this route.
MILEAGE COORDINATES DIRECTIONS
0.0 From I-8, exit 30 at Wellton, zero trip meter
immediately on the south side of the freeway
at the eastbound freeway entrance/exit. Exit ramp,
and proceed south on the paved road. Immediately
cross over the Wellton Canal.
1.3 N 32 39.560 Turn right onto graded dirt road, immediately before
W114 08.490 the Mohave* Canal and levee.
5.1 Zero trip meter and turn left and cross over Mohawk
Canal on bridge, then immediately turn left again.
0.0 N 32 38.130 Continue toward Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range.
W114 12.600
0.1 Cross over levee bank, tracks on right and left along
the top
1.2 Crossroads, edge of the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force
Range. Valid permit essential from this point. Graded
road on right and left along the boundary.
1.5 N 32 37.200 Cross through fence line.
W114 12.570
And I'm assuming that's where the gate is. *Note: I said the book is reliable, I didn't say it is perfect. I think this reference to "Mohave" Canal should be "Mohawk" Canal, because that's the only one I see on my maps, and the next instruction says "Mohawk" as well. But "Mohave" is what is in the book. Won't know for certain until we get there.
(text/plain)