Cache is located a short distance south of the New River Nature Preserve. Take New River Rd. north to the I-17 Frontage Road. After the road crosses the river it is unpaved but is suitable for cars. Park at the intersection of Old Stage (or Stagecoach) Rd. & N. Coyote Pass Rd. and follow your GPSr. If the river is flooded and they close the road, the cache is available by using Coyote Pass Rd. from New River Rd. We believe the stone structure was built to hold water from a spring coming out of the rocks. It looks like the spring has dried up and the stone basin filled with dirt, then plants.
Rio was the starving, injured cat who found us when we were walking in the Preserve several years ago. He valiantly hobbled back to our vehicle and adopted us. He weighed 4 pounds in the beginning and soared to 17 pounds before we put him on a diet. We wanted to set up a cache honoring him and other abandoned cats who have managed to find a new home. Cache container is a hidden camoed metal can and contains a variety of swag and some cat-related magnets.
The New River Nature Preserve is a 20.8 acre spring-fed riparian area along the New River now owned by the Desert Foothills Land Trust. In 1886, it was the headquarters for the Flying Y Ranch owned by the Frank Alkire family. The reserve was deeded to the DFLT in 1994 by rancher Steve Bragg. Take the time to stroll through this unique oasis in the desert. It includes a rare cottonwood and willow forest, a mesquite bosque, and is home to a variety of bird and animal life. No motorized vehicles are allowed in the preserve. For more information about this and other DFLT preserves, Click Here
Congratulations to Cactusart kids for the First to Find!
Update 8/20/13--New container placed. It is now a camo painted 2-cup Ziploc screw-top plastic jar and contains a few small swag items. Coyote Pass Rd. has been graded and is okay for cars.
Update 5/31/15--Last year's flood event changed where the river flows and dropped a lot of debris. Stay west of the gate & fence; the cache is not inside the fence. Happy Hunting!
Update 3/22/18--The terrain has again changed due to flooding; water & cattails block the direct approach. When you’re about 100’-150’ from the cache you’ll see an old road heading NW with a gate blocking passage. Go up to the gate and around to the left before heading toward the cache. This approach is fairly easy.