A mean hike to Grant Falls Traditional Cache
davethe10r: I won't be able to redo this cache, and it sounds like the area is so damaged by forest fire that maybe it isn't worth it. Permanently archive.
A mean hike to Grant Falls
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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If you've never been to Grant Falls, you're in for a treat. This used to be the source of fresh water for Fort Grant, and you'll see the old pipes and pumping stations along the way. You'll need to hike in, bike in or take a 4x4, because after the first couple of miles the trail is otherwise impassible by anything else. Bring a picnic lunch and your camera. The falls are beautiful and the water is cold and clear. It's a little-known gem you wouldn't expect to find in southern Arizona.
Take Highway 266 and then the north 266 spur to Fort Grant, AZ.
It's a prison town in the middle of nowhere, so don't be surprised if people look at you suspiciously. Don't pick up any hitchhikers!
Turn right directly after the helicopter pad (N 32° 37.330, W 109° 56.563) and follow that road past the houses to the main gate (N 32° 37.616, W 109° 56.684). Go on through, but make sure to close the gate behind you.
You'll go a few other gates, and they all ask you to close them beyond you. It's public land, but also used for grazing. You'll also go over several pretty rough cattle guards. If you're driving anything other than a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you won't get far before you have to park and continue on foot.
There's a lower pumping station on the right hand side of the trail (N 32° 39.562, W 109° 55.172) that tells you that you're about a mile away from the falls. A shack a bit further on (N 32° 39.976, W 109° 55.058) tells you you're still on the right track.
When you get to a fork in the road (N 32° 40.007, W 109° 55.066) PAY ATTENTION! You want to take the RIGHT fork to get to the falls. The trail narrows here and goes over the creek, along with the water pipes. No vehicle traffic (aside from maybe a mountain bike) from here on -- you'll be on foot the rest of the way.
When you get to the sluice with the helpful ladders, you'll know that you're close. You'll hear the falls from here. Another turn or two and you'll be treated to one of the best-kept secrets in southern Arizona!
I placed the cache in a location that should guarantee it won't get washed away by early spring runoff or flash floods during the summer monsoons. Hope you enjoyed the hike!
(I took several photos of the exact cache location, so send me a message if you want some visual spoilers.)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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