The cache is almost incidental to the amazing views from this
hiker-accessible hillside. Starting from the east and turning
clockwise you'll be able to see the Dragoon, Tombstone, Mule,
Huachuca, Mustang, and Whetstone Mountains. Climb a little farther
up and you'll see the Rincons, too. The incredible views are the
result of the location's position smack-dab in the middle of those
ranges and more than 450 feet above the valley floor.
Breathtaking view from the top
A hiking trail takes you most of the way. Turn into the dirt lot
at N31 37.811 W110 10.374 marked by a "Prevent Wildfires" sign on
the north side of Charleston Road. (See note below.) Continue back
toward the river and look for the trailhead sign and pedestrian
gate. The trail meanders across a wash, but strategically placed
signs will keep you on course.
You'll pass some ruins, which are the remains of Millville, an
1878 settlement that became part of bustling Charleston (the bulk
of which is on the West side of the San Pedro, with another cache
nearby). Millville hosted a stamp mill and the main office of the
Tombstone Mining and Milling Company. Both Millville and Charleston
are now ghost towns due to the earthquake of 1887 that flooded the
mines and reduced the San Pedro River to a sometimes-stream.
Hike on until your GPS indicates that you're about 1/4 mile from
the cache. Leave the trail and clamber up the rocky slope. These
hills are long-extinct volcanic cones, just as their shapes
suggest. Their slopes are easy to climb, as most of the rocks are
large and solid--almost a staircase in places. The brush, though
scratchy, is relatively sparse and mostly easy to avoid.
The cache is a camo-ammo can concealed by a rockpile. It
originally contained a Whoopee Cushion, toy handcuffs, Slinky,
water pistol, Geocaching compass, patches and pins, mini jigsaw
puzzle, USA flag pin, and a logbook.
NOTE: Please do not approach this cache from the powerline
road. This attracts the attention of local law enforcement, who
have better things to do than interview cachers. Give 'em a break
and use the legit parking spot. Thanks!