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Raven
02-16-2007, 10:32 PM
Lodging & Weather

Hotel
Lazy8Motel
Our hosting lodging is the locally owned Lazy8 adjacent to Tucson's famous Silver Saddle Steak House. The Lazy8 is a great location with secure parking, clean rooms, convenient access, and WIFI. Call in to make your reservation and be sure to ask for a courtyard room. Visit their website for contact information.

Cancelations
Please coordinate any room cancelations on this ST-owners thread prior to canceling with the Lazy8. Thanks!

Camping
Gilbert Ray Campground at Tucson Mountain Park
Located approximately 15 to 20 minutes from the Lazy8, the Tucson Mountain Park's Gilbert Ray campground offers a magnificent desert setting. Click here for a campground map.

The majority of the sites are geared towards RVs but there are 5 exclusively tent sites in the "B" section. The roads through the campground are paved but the actual sites are graveled. Site C18 is very small but has a covered ramada over the picnic table. Sites C22 & C25 share a ramada and would be convenient for a group of 5 or 6 tents.

The exclusive tent sites are rather small and a bit of a walk from the facilities. B1, B2, and B3 could hold 2 tents each and there's a water faucet. B4 and B5 would be convenient for sharing and could hold 4 or 5 tents each but they are a bit of a walk from either water or facilities.

The official rules say one camping unit per site but there were a couple of RVs that had tents next to them on the same site. There were also a couple of tent sites with two tents so it looks like the rules can be bent a bit.

Weather
Tucson Weather
Tucson's average February high is 69° F. while the low is 42° F. The forecast is calling for highs in the mid-70's for the DesertSTOC weekend. Sunny days can sometimes be as warm as 80 while a clear night can easily hit freezing so you can expect the weather to be fairly temperate but be prepared.

Even if the weather is cool, it's important to remember to drink plenty of water because the climate is quite dry. One can easily become dehydrated even if the temperature isn't in the 100's.

February does get some rain but by the end of the month the winter rains have usually stopped. It's a good idea to have rain gear with you just in case.

Changes in elevation can also cause dramatic temperature changes. It may be quite warm in the valleys while mountain areas could easily have snow. Be prepared to use layers to effectively navigate the different regions as well as times of day. Once the sun sets, expect the temperature to drop rapidly. Figure that the typical sunrise will be a little before 7 a.m. while 6:15 p.m. is the typical sunset.

Raven
02-17-2007, 11:30 AM
Hey Campers -

I'll go out Thursday morning and reserve a couple of campsites. I'll try and snag TENT SITES 4 & 5 as they are fairly flat (while 1, 2, & 3 are slightly sloped). Since y'all probably won't have web on the road, figured I'd go ahead and post this now so you know to check those sites first when you arrive.



http://www.desertstoc.illzoni.com/DesertSTOC/roadtrip/images/maps/GRcamp.jpg

Also, here's the map of the route from the campground to the Lazy8:

http://www.desertstoc.illzoni.com/DesertSTOC/roadtrip/images/maps/camping.jpg

motomac
02-17-2007, 08:18 PM
Raven, Thanks, Mother Nature just dumped 2-3" more snow on me today and I'm not sure when I can leave now. The roads are not passable for me on the bike. Maybe tomorrow afternoon I can get started. I'll post again just before I leave(if I leave) Mac

Mellow
02-17-2007, 08:33 PM
Raven, Thanks, Mother Nature just dumped 2-3" more snow on me today and I'm not sure when I can leave now. The roads are not passable for me on the bike. Maybe tomorrow afternoon I can get started. I'll post again just before I leave(if I leave) Mac

Don't push it... to be honest, I could use another day to deal with the site and some work issues so if I don't leave 'til Wed and bypass the hike, it's no biggie we can do it anytime.

George
02-17-2007, 09:06 PM
I'm planning to arrive Friday in time for lunch. Should I hit the campground before or after? Either way, Raven, please save me spot. And thanks for getting in there for all us campers.

Also wanna try the obstacle course and dinner.

George
in Kingman, Arizona

TX Matt
02-18-2007, 05:11 PM
Room Available:

I have a courtyard room available at the Lazy 8, Thurs arrival through sunday. If noone takes it by monday pm I will be cancelling. I am unable to attend.

EJ's 97ST
02-18-2007, 07:19 PM
Hi ya folks! Say, I'm going to try this run buy starting out on Thursday AM. I think that most of my ducks are in a row but haven't done this for a while. If any one is runing I-25 south of Alb. on the 22nd let me know, sure would like a riding partner or two. I plan on leaving the Belen area between 8 & 9 AM.
Thanks, hope to see you that are attending DesertSTOC at the Lazy 8, hope to be in Thursday afternoon 4 ish . I-25 south til' Rodey, across to Deming, on I 10 on in.

Thanks, EJ :D

motomac
02-19-2007, 04:11 AM
I am leaving this morning and will arrive by Thursday.

Mark
02-22-2007, 12:38 PM
Anybody notice there is a Waffle House almost right next to the Lazy 8?

I wonder if Curt has been there... :D

Mark