September Sunday Drive - Picnic on the Peak! (Updated 07 September)

copyright Kitt Peak National Observatory

Reserve the date - 14 September 2014.  We'll have our Sunday Drive up to Kitt Peak for "Picnic on the Peak."  This is a joint event between the Fun Italian Automobiles of Tucson (FIAT) and the Southern AZ Pantera club.  We'll meet in west Tucson for a drive over Gates Pass and through part of Saguaro National Park West and then head over to the junction of AZ-86 and AZ-386 for a twisty drive up to Kitt Peak for a picnic and self-guided or docent-lead tour of Kitt Peak National Observatory at the top.   Please RSVP > here < so we know how many plan on going and can adjust plans if needed.

This is a non-competitive pay-as-you-go and bring-your-own-basket (BYOB) event. Make sure your car is in good working order as there are no automotive services on the mountain.  Kitt Peak is on the Tohono O'Odham Indian Reservation and all rules and applicable restrictions apply.

For more information about visiting KPNO select > here. <  Check out the KPNO webcam images > here. <

What to bring:

Dress in layers. It could be nice. It could be cold. Might be breezy. Could be hot - although the top of Kitt Peak is typically 20 degrees cooler than Tucson. There will be a chance of showers/rain since the drive will take place while it's still the monsoon season. We'll do a weather check Sunday morning. Pack a lunch, beverages, snacks. Don't forget your sunglasses, camera, binoculars, mobile phone.

Prep your car! Oil, Coolant, Fuel, tire pressure (spare tire, too!). Make sure your jack and tire iron are IN the car! Check/update your emergency kit. Consider bringing extra oil and coolant, duct tape, tow rope, tarp, jumper cables (just in case) and don't forget your AAA card if you have one.

If you don't have your Italian car operational, feel free to drive something else!

The Drive:

Beginning Rendezvous Point: Circle K, 1735 W Speedway Blvd, Tucson AZ 85745. Line up behind Circle K / Autozone (South side - behind buildings).

• Arrive Time: 10:00 AM
• Depart Time: 10:30 AM

Scenic Drive: West on Speedway over Gates Pass to Kinney. Left on Kinney. Past Old Tucson Studios to Ajo Way/Highway 86. Right on Highway 86 (west) to Three Points General Store/Chevron. (Approximately 28 miles / 45 minutes)

Rendezvous Point: Three Points General Store, 16225 W Ajo Highway, Tucson, AZ 85735. Food/Fuel

• Arrive Time: 11:15 AM
• Depart Time: 11:45 AM

Drive: West on Highway 86 to Junction with AZ386. (Approximately 16 miles / 15 minutes)

Rendezvous Point Junction of AZ86 and AZ386. Gather, assess conditions, determine if staging / staggering is needed.

• Arrive Time: 12:00 Noon
• Depart Time: 12:15 PM

Scenic Drive: South on AZ386 to Kitt Peak Observatory Complex. (Approximately 12 miles / 20-25 minutes).

Arrive Kitt Peak main parking lot around 12:30/12:45 PM

Picnic!

Bring your own lunch/beverages. There are picnic tables available at the Complex There are also vending machines available. OPTION: There is a picnic area just west of the Complex but uses a gravel access road. It's in amongst some trees and in near a large radar dish telescope. Outhouse available.

Feel free linger at the Complex and participate in a docent-lead tour or tour on your own. Also feel free to depart at your own leisure.

Departure:

Planned departure is at 2:00 PM. The Southern AZ Panteras club is planning a return drive back through Saguaro Park West and a “spirited” drive on Sandario Road to Picture Rocks / NW Tucson. The Fun Italian Automobiles of Tucson will likely depart at various times from the complex.

Optional: IF there is interest and using an “every car for themselves” approach, we could regroup at Time Market on University (just west of UA Main Gate) at around 3:30PM for a “cold one” on their patio and then depart for home as everyone sees fit. 

DISCLAIMER:

• All times / distances are approximate and are for planning purposes only.
• All information, including date, time, routes, etc. is subject to change.
• This is intended to be a non-competitive event. Participation in this event is at your own discretion and risk. It is assumed that participants will be properly insured and obey applicable laws. Neither the organizers of this event or the Southern AZ Panteras or Fun Italian Automobiles of Tucson clubs assume any liability or responsibility for injury or death that may happen due to your or your guest's participation in this event.

Cars confirmed participating in this Sunday Drive as of 11 September 2014: 3-DeTomaso Panteras, 1-X1/9, 1-Fiat Spider, 1-Thunderbird, 1-Fiat 500L
Potential participants: 1-Lancia Scorpion, 1-Fiat 500 Abarth, 1-Challenger, 1-2014 Corvette, 1-Lamborghini Gallardo