Stewart Peak Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The hike of about 2 miles to this cache has about 600’ elevation gain (7085 at Cache), following faint trails and old woods roads to a volcanic outcropping mountainside with outstanding views of the Mogollon Mountains (near Glenwood) to Cookes Peak (north of Deming). Take time at each waypoint to find the faint old road or faint trail in order to avoid the brush that grows really thick. Allow plenty of time to enjoy this seldom visited mountainside, which has no maintained trails.
From Silver City, drive out Little Walnut Road about 8 miles to way point N32 51.886, W108 18.143 and park on the left. Watch out for the brush stubs left from thinning. The following way points give only the minutes. The degrees are all N32 and W108. (The following route is the only one I have found that pretty well avoids the thick brush.) From the parking area look for an old road to follow at 51.701, 18.274 which will take you to a trail junction at 51.708, 18.341. Continue on the trail to 51.720,18.374 and turn left to follow a faint woods trail going by points 51.715, 18.444 and 51.692, 18.478. Go a short distance up canyon and take the right canyon fork at 51.654, 18.486.
Following this small canyon you will find a faint old woods road to climb the hill at 51.435, 18.723, and again at 51.391, 18.953, continuing through 51.391, 19.026 and 51.412, 19.069 and 51.431, 19.060 to a fine cliff top over look at 51.485, 19.023. Find the road again at 51.603, 19.119. If you don’t find the road at this point you will be fighting bad brush until the road exits the brushy area at 51.626, 19.168 with relatively open hiking to the Cache at 51.508, 19.304. Be sure to notice the fine view of an un-named peak to the northwest, which you will want to climb for a better look around. Stewart peak has a good view to the north and west, but trees block the other directions.
The Cache contains a monocular, a digital watch on a bead necklace, and the usual log book. I am always impressed where old woods roads may be found, and wonder when and why they were used. There are several Indian Ruins in the area, the location of which is better left undisclosed for conservation. Thanks and Enjoy the hike!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur pnpur vf n gurezbf uvqqra va n ebpx pelcg haqre gur ovttrfg whavcre gerr nebhaq.