This cache appears to be very close to GC1D9D, but you will
probably not be able to claim both on the same trip.
I 'discovered' this general area some ten+ years ago, and made
several trips to explore. On one of these trips I 'hiked' up this
canyon following the route I will describe here. I didn't make it
all the way to the cache site on that trip due to time restraints,
but vowed to return someday and go as far up the canyon as
possible.
That goal has been accomplished.
This trek will require a high level of wilderness navigational
skill, LOTS of boulder-hopping, and a small bit of class four
scrambling. You should allow a full day to reach the cache and
return. It took a full eight hours for my very hardy companions
Highpointer, Alpha Bolinite, Mister X and I to make it to
the cache site and back to our vehicle, even though the distance is
only 2.72 miles one way!
Signal reception in the canyon is spotty at best, so the final
co-ordinates may not be very accurate. Despite this, the cache
location will be fairly obvious as you just can't go any further up
the canyon! I am including some 'spoiler' photos to help identify
the cache location. It would be a good idea to study the pictures
closely, or perhaps print them to take along on your visit.
Approach Information Somehow get yourself to the
Globe-Miami area and take the Apache Trail out towards Roosevelt
Lake, turning north on the Globe-Young highway towards Young. Then
turn left on A-Cross road, and turn off at approximately
N33°42.986' W111°00.111'. Proceed up the track and park at a nice
shady spot N33°43.811' W110°59.706'. It's best to hike from here,
but you may be able to drive to N33°44.227' W110°59.700' where you
will enter the stream-bed and head on up.
We found the easiest way to make progress was to hop the rocks
in the stream-bed, and avoid as much of the surrounding vegetation
as possible, but the final choice is yours, of course. At one point
along the way you will encounter a seemingly impassable waterfall.
This may be circumnavigated by climbing a rockslide to the south
and doing a bit of fourth-class scrambling to the top of an
intermediate 'shelf' along the canyon wall that will bring you back
to the area above the falls. When you reach the second waterfall,
you should start checking the trees for the cache.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so please study the
included photos carefully to aid in your search.
The usual wilderness caveats apply:
1. Bring plenty of water.
2. Wear sturdy, ankle-supporting footwear.
3. Tell someone where you will be going, and when you plan to
return home.
4. Beware prickly or poisonous plants.
5. Keep a sharp eye out for rattlesnakes (we saw two), don't step
or put your hands where you can't see. The use of a hiking stick is
highly recomended.
6. Bring plenty of water.