Hi Jay, I have observed at Simpson Springs campground and it's a great place. What makes it especially nice are the restroom and the large concrete pad outside the restroom, big enough for me to set up my gear without blocking the door or (excuse indelicacy) smelling anything unpleasant. A closer spot, without a restroom or pad, is the Pit 'n' Pole site. The drawback is that it's pretty easy to get a flat tire on the old Pony Express Route, and there's a steep scary grade shortly before Simpson Springs. Also, there's no cell coverage from Simpson Springs but there is about three and a half miles closer to SLC. I wouldn't try the route in the winter. But for summer I think it's a good place. -- Joe --- On Thu, 12/10/09, JayLEads <jayleads@gmail.com> wrote: From: JayLEads <jayleads@gmail.com> Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Simpson Springs Campground Observing To: "Utah-Astronomy" <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009, 9:33 PM I saw on the story of that missing West Valley mother and wife that her husband claims to have gone camping at Simpson Springs Campground. They searched and no trace of camping or her. Hope they find her. On another note I noticed that this area might also be a good observing spot come spring, summer and fall (perhaps winter but the road is dirt so one doesn't want to get stuck out there). If you go to this website http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/salt_lake/recreation/camping/simspson_springs... and look at the upper right at the Simpson Springs Map it shows on the map of the general area, north of the campground a gravel pit. I wonder if that are some of the other areas on the map would be good areas? Anyone ever observed out here? Thanks for the input in advance. _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php Visit the Wiki: http://www.utahastronomy.com