an astrophysical research site...
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Safety is a very important aspect of our work on Mount Graham. We are all proud of our safety accomplishments and are strongly motivated to maintain our exemplary record. Your attention to "safety issues" will assist us greatly in maintaining this goal.
The road from the Base Camp to the observatory site is 30 miles of winding switchbacks. The road is narrow and there are no guardrails. The first 21 miles of roadway are paved and the remaining 9 miles consist of a dirt/gravel surface. Tire traction is amazingly low on the dirt surface. Vehicle speed (yours and the other persons) is an important ingredient for your safety. You must not only drive defensibly but you must continuously watch for the other person who is probably driving "hell bent for leather" to get their fishing hook wet at Riggs Lake. Or you may round a very narrow, sharp turn and find yourself head-on with a semi-tractor trailer rig that may be slightly wider than the road... Please drive with the utmost caution.
The "Wildcat" Snowblower is moving
it out... |
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During the winter the road surface can
become extremely hazardous, covered in "black" ice or packed snow. The road is
maintained by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the MGIO maintenance
crew. Typically ADOT takes care of the paved road surface and MGIO takes care of the last
nine miles to the site. We will do our very best to provide site access via a four wheel
drive vehicle with tire chains on all four wheels. During the winter, please check with
the Base Camp to ascertain road conditions.