Gilbert Ray Campground AZ

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PancakeBill said:
Asking for a friend, are we still talking about Gilbert Ray CG in AZ? When I walk my dog today, I will be mindful of any snakes, but especially the 'Jumping Cholla Cactus'.
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After 41 posts, that would be rare to stay on subject, just as in real life longer discussions.

But yeah, many people lean about the cholla cactus the hard way. And don't let your dog get too close to them either.

For those who don't know, do not get too close to these:

1715790307227.png

-Don- Reno, NV
 
DonTom said:
If you would like to see the opposite opinion in writing (the one I agree with) see here.

"Garter snakes are perhaps the most well-known and frequently encountered native snakes in Alaska. "

While I will admit the jury is still out on this one, I gave my reason for believing they are native in AK.

But this is not something that can be proven either way.

But notice the recent date. It looks like they even discovered a few more snakes that they assume are native in AK. And none of those are surprises to me. The Rubber Boa has been known to dig into snow! I found one at above 8,000' elevation here in NV. The very top of Mt. Pevine near here, a few years ago. Right at the base of an antenna tower at the very peak. That was around this time of year. Every Rubber Boa I ever saw (many) I found in the month of May.

The Ringneck prefers damp cold places. While all could live in parts of AK, I see some herpetologists now expect these are also native. Perhaps three known native snakes in Alaska.

Again, cannot be proven either way. But nobody can be 100% sure of the exact range of any reptile.

-Don- Reno, NV
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I actually agree with you. But here is a link from AK Fish & Game: SoundsWild Episode - Radio Program Alaska, Alaska Department of Fish and Game
 
I am now at the Gilbert Ray Camp, Tucson, AZ. In a very scenic section of the Sonoran Desert, just a mile or so south of the Sonoran Desert Museum. Electricity only (50-30 & 20 amp) at the sites. Water and dumping at a central location within the camp.

Here it says:

"There is a seven-day length of stay limit."
When I get here, I pick up a page at the closed booth that says clearly in writing:
"A seven day camping limit is enforced without exception. Campers must leave the campground for a minimum of seven days before returning."

But I am booked for 11 days and they accepted my money and I received this confirmation email:

"Your reservation has been approved. Your payment method on file has been charged."

Reservation Dates​

  • November 1, 2024 12:00 PM - November 11, 2024 11:00 AM MT
So why am I an exception to the "without exception" ?

There is nobody to ask here in this campground, so I will try asking here.

-Don- Gilbert Ray Camp, Tucson, AZ
 
Maybe they changed rule after you booked, I wouldn't worry about it, enjoy your 11 night stay!
 
I have seen that in some places. I researched a couple and their stance was that you were supposed to know the time limits before you booked.

Personally since they took the reservation i would stay the 11 days and claim i never saw the time limit. If anyone said anything i would just show them the reservation was accepted.
 
rvlifer said:
I researched a couple and their stance was that you were supposed to know the time limits before you booked.
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Okay, we are supposed to know, so when somebody pays for more than they allow, what happens?

When I booked, it did say something like that but it wasn't clear with their wording if they were only talking about the busy season or for any time. The busy season here starts on Jan 1.

But the wording on the page of rules here is quite clear with the "without exception".

It makes no sense to have such a 7-day limit for hotter months such as July here. I would seriously doubt if this place would then be busy--probably nobody in this entire camp then.

But there are more people here than I would have expected for this time of year. It was in the 80's when I arrived, but I see the next few days will be cooler and even some rain coming on Sunday night.

-Don- Gilbert Ray Camp, Tucson, AZ
 
BTW, five bars of 5G here on my Verizon Wireless portable Hotspot. And I was wondering if I would have any cell service at all up here.


-Don- Gilbert Ray Camp, Tucson, AZ
 
DonTom said:
Okay, we are supposed to know, so when somebody pays for more than they allow, what happens?

When I booked, it did say something like that but it wasn't clear with their wording if they were only talking about the busy season or for any time. The busy season here starts on Jan 1.

But the wording on the page of rules here is quite clear with the "without exception".

It makes no sense to have such a 7-day limit for hotter months such as July here. I would seriously doubt if this place would then be busy--probably nobody in this entire camp then.

But there are more people here than I would have expected for this time of year. It was in the 80's when I arrived, but I see the next few days will be cooler and even some rain coming on Sunday night.

-Don- Gilbert Ray Camp, Tucson, AZ
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I would say there is a strong case that because they allowed you to book that long it indicates the other rule doesnt apply. Prob the best thing to do is notify them about the discrepancy
 
rvlifer said:
I would say there is a strong case that because they allowed you to book that long it indicates the other rule doesnt apply. Prob the best thing to do is notify them about the discrepancy
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There is a phone number I can call-or even email them. But I will not do such and just see what happens. I assume nothing when I stay here until the 11th.

BTW, the only reason I can see for such a rule with many empty spaces--is because we are dealing with a government here. This is a county-ran campground.

Tucson, AZ
 
BTW, because of my Garmin RV 770, I drove right by this place and there is no place to turn around for several miles.

And mine has the latest updates but took me to a locked gate a little past this place. The sign for this place is hard to notice.

The Gilbert Ray Camp is really at:

N32.22078, W111.13828 (this is close to where I am now parked).

-Don- Tucson, AZ
 
jackiemac said:
Any recommendations for best loop for our truck and trailer please?
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A52 is quite large. It's right next to this spot, but my spot is very small but this motorhome is a perfect fit in it. The size of the spots here varies like crazy. I am in one of the smallest (A49):

My front and rear:MHFront.JPGHHrear.JPG

A 52 is several times the size of my A49.

-Don- Tucson, AZ
 
Something I had almost forgotten about---Avoid site A62 at Gilbert Ray. It's entrance is exactly at a curbed divider that splits traffic at a crossover, so you have only one lane to use to back in. It is a big enough site, but it means that you will have a VERY difficult time backing into your spot without going over the curbed and landscaped divider. It is hard to describe, but the curbed area is triangular shaped.

And don't miss the nearby Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum. It is a combination botanical garden and zoo that contains local animals. One of my favorite places.
 
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CharlesinGA said:
Hood up and a light, for pack rats I see.

Charles
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Speaking of pack rats--spend some time wandering in the desert looking for pack rat nests. They can be identified in the desert by the barrier of cholla links they set up to protect their babies in their burrows from snakes and other predators. Look for burrows surrounded by piles of sticks and cacti segments under sheltered areas such as bushes or clumps of cacti.

Pack rats make a mess of vehicle wiring, but they are interesting animals. They are a little bigger than a mouse, and do indeed steal and store things to decorate their nests.

Archeologists use ancient pack rat nests to track how vegetation in an area has changed over tens of thousands of years. In not quite so old nests, they can find bits of cloth or human made items like pieces of pottery, identifying who once lived in the area that the pack rats stole from! https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/archaeological-treasures-hidden-rat-nests-180973544/
 
CharlesinGA said:
Hood up and a light, for pack rats I see.

Charles
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I do not have a light in there, but many here have some type of long light strip under their vehicles.

The cable that looks like it is going to the hood is my ham radio coax going around the motorhome to a window right next to me here.

BTW, a few years ago, when I had this RV at the French Campground near Tom's Place, CA on a very cold day all of the 12-volt stuff stopped working suddenly. Such as the furnace fan, refrigerator and etc. Kinda of an emergency because a very cold night was coming (7,200' elevation) and would need the furnace heat. I ran a cable across the floor inside this RV to make it all work before night came. I assume pack rats ate through the main 12-volt cable that runs under this motorhome.

I still have the new cable inside, never bothered to try to repair it underneath. This way, it is very simple to work on, but I will most likely I will never need a repair with the main 12-volt cable inside.

-Don- Tucson, AZ
 
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JudyJB said:
And don't miss the nearby Arizona-Sonoma Desert Museum
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(Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum).

Over the years, I have been there at least a dozen times. The first time was in the 1970's when Tom & I went there. The last time was about a year ago, or the last time I stayed in Tucson. I have been to Tucson countless times.

I have always wondered why the snake section has never had a Sonoran Coral Snake when I was there.

-Don- Tucson, AZ
 
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