This geocache is located in the North Study Area of the Sonoran Preserve Master Plan. It is adjacent to, but just outside, the Cave Buttes Recreation Area - a new parcel of land under the jurisdiction of the Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department. There are numerous trails and dirt roads throughout the area. It is also a popular area for hot air balloons to launch.
The cache is located just off the end of a well defined trail. You will need to find the trail once you get there since it is not on the USGS topo maps. It gets rather steep and loose towards the top, so take care when going up and down. The best approach is from the south. The coordinates above were recorded with WAAS enabled and functioning.
Update 4/23/02:
The cache itself is located on federal land (probably BLM). It is just outside the boundaries of the Cave Buttes Recreation Area. The main access to the Rec. Area is off of Cave Creek Rd. north of Pinnacle Peak Rd. Motorized travel within the Rec. Area is restricted (although apparently not strictly enforced). Technically, you are not supposed to drive to the cache area. There are other ways to enter the Rec. Area but they involve crossing State Trust Lands or possibly private lands. Some of the State Trust Lands in the area are also restricted to motorized vehicle travel. The cache is about a mile bike/hike from Happy Valley Rd. and 7th St. (which will involve crossing a short stretch of State Trust Land).
