The DAS Dark Site

	For Directions to the Deer Trail Dark Site, click here.
	For The History Of The DAS Dark Site.,  click here.  *** 03/05/2001 Update ***
	For the latest weather conditions in Deer Trail, CO.,  click here
	See Wayne Kaaz' site plan proposal, click here. (133kb)

The DAS Deer Trail dark site is located about 60 miles due east of the Mouse Trap. To get there, take I-70 east to the Deer Trail exit (exit 328), turn left at the end of the exit ramp and turn left again after you pass the Texaco station (open 24hrs with a Star Mart for health food purchases) on to CR 217. Take CR 217 a little over 1/2 mile to CR 34 and turn right (East). Stay on 34 about 6 miles until you get to CR 241. Turn left (North) on CR 241 and continue about 1.5 miles; there's a culvert with a wide gate on the right (East) side of the road. This is the DAS dark site!!! Return To Top

DAS Dark Site History:
The Deer Trail Dark Site Coordinates:    103^o 55' 45.3" W - 39^o 38' 53" N

2/98: DAS Signs 20 year lease on site notheast of Deer Trail, CO

---------------

2/98 -10/99: A culvert and gate were added, and roads were graded on the site.  DAS worked with Arapaho County to get a reasonable site plan approved.

---------------

11/99: At a Public Hearing, Arapaho County waived certain requirements, and a Use by Special Review was granted.

---------------

1/00: Final site plans were filed with the county.

---------------

5/00: Construction started.  3 concrete pads, each 10' x 20', were poured in the north end of the site.

---------------

6/00: Power was trenched from the existing power pole to the primary power distribution panel for the north end of the site.  Power was run to the 3 observing pads.

---------------

11/00: The DAS purchased an 8' x 24' commercial building for use as a warming hut.

---------------

12/00: The warming hut is installed in the north end near the observing pads.

---------------

1/01: Power was ran to the warming hut, and a lock was added to the power distribution box.  White fluorescent lights in the building are replaced by red incandescent.

---------------

2/01: Shields are installed over the red lights, a combination lock is added to the building door, and the west-facing windows are covered to reduce the chance of vandalism.

---------------

Future plans:  Plans for the near future include installing a timer to automatically shut down power at the warming hut, pouring of more observing pads (beginning spring '01) and construction of a vault toilet.

---------------

Note: Construction on the DAS Dark Sky Site is funded entirely by member donations.  The pace of site construction and improvement is largely dependant on the rate at which donations are received.
 
 

Directions to the new dark site can be seen above.

 Back to Top