37th ANNUAL SDSU GEOLOGY ALUMNI FIELD TRIP
Painted Rock Petroglyph Site/Campround Near Gila Bend, Arizonia
Saturday & Sunday March 2 & 3 2024
SDSU GEOLOGY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The 37th annual SDSU Geology Alumni Association Field Trip/Campout will be based at the Painted Rock Campground near Gila Bend, Arizona. Field trip stops have not been finalized. Potential field trip stops include the Sentinel-Arlington Volcanic Field, Warford Ranch Volcano, Painted Rock Dam, Woolsey Peak Wilderness, Gillespie Dam Bridge, Sundad town/mine, Agua Caliente, Painted Rock Petroglyph Site, and other spots that entice our curiosity. The Butterfield Overland Stage Route and the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail traverse the land near the campground. The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park can be visited on the way to/from San Diego and the main field trip area. Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and guests with the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences are welcome to attend. This is a great opportunity to get outside, look at rocks, and mingle with a bunch of cool folks.
CAMPING: Group Site B at the Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground has been reserved for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Weather permitting, there will be someone at a nearby campsite Thursday evening too. The flat, open group camp site is accessible for trailers and tents. Vault toilets are available nearby (but not real close) and a portable toilet tent option will be set up at the group site (wind permitting). No water/electricity is available at this facility, so be prepared for dry camping. Bring everything you need. The SDSU-GAA only provides the campsite.
DIRECTIONS TO CAMP: Exit the Interstate 8 freeway at Painted Rock Dam Road/Exit 102, about 12.5 miles west of Gila Bend. Travel north on Painted Rocks Dam Road 10.7 miles to Rocky Point Road. Painted Rocks Petroglyph Site is 0.6 mile west of Painted Rock Dam Road on Rocky Point Road. Group Site B at the Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground has been reserved. It is suggested that you fill your gas tanks in Gila Bend before arriving at camp. GPS 33.02287920, -113.04959870
COMMUNICATIONS: There is unreliable cell phone service in camp. FRS channel 4 (no tone) will be monitored on Friday evening and Saturday morning, but FRS has a limited range. For the Amateur Radio Operators or “Hams”, National Simplex 146.520 will be monitored Friday evening and Saturday morning. Call for Sue-KM6HLY (other ham contacts will be updated closer to the field trip).
PLEASE RSVP — QUESTIONS?
Contact Sue Tanges, Interim SDSU Geology Alumni Field Trip Chairman
s.tanges@att.net, 619-922-9539