We became interested in tracing the Pantano while thinking about more geocaches being needed on the east side of Tucson. Then, recently I read about extending Valencia Rd. through the Pantano to Old Spanish Trail. So we had to get out the maps and look up this wash. Before you head to the first stage do drive north up Craycroft and cross the Rillito. Drive in the right hand lane and look out just before you cross the Rillito. You'll see a small wash running into the river. This is the Pantano. So we are having you trace the Pantano backwards, from the river to its not so humble beginnings. Prior to running into the Rillito the Pantano runs along Fort Lowell Park. Now, head to the first stage of this geocache.
Site #1 Island in the Stream
Do mark where you park. Once into the wash, it is occasionally difficult to see where you came from. There are several easy ways to get to the top of the island. Many local geomuggles use this island for biking so please be discreet. If you walk around the island, notice the geology of it. The natural cement stratum is pretty cool. You've probably noticed that you've crossed what seems like many streams. It is all the Pantano but there is typically only 1 active channel. That's why there are full-grown trees IN the wash.
On the way to Site #2 you should drive by the old Gemco at Speedway and Kolb (NE corner). The wash behind Gemco was once a dump area. The city now burns off methane and you can see the flames in the evening when you drive this stretch of Kolb.
Site #2 Bat Bridge
If you park near N 32° 13.245 W 110° 49.799 you will be very close to the Bat Bridge. This bridge is famous for the Mexican Freetail Bats that live underneath it. It is supposed to be quite a sight at sunset watching the bats come out.
Driving directions to Site #3. Drive east to Harrison and then go south and cross the Pantano on Harrison. The reason for this choice is because the Pantano crossing at Harrison is a ford here, not a bridge. After crossing the Pantano head over to Houghton and go south to Valencia. At Valencia, go east. I assumed from the news stories about extending Valencia that it actually ended at Houghton but only the paved road ends. The dirt roads you will now have to travel on are accessible to nearly everything. We have a Toyota Prius with only 4 inches of ground clearance! Cross the Pantano on Valencia and look around while doing so. There are houses here but you are also on State Trust Land. Local traffic drives at crazy speeds, be careful. After climbing out of the Pantano you will eventually come to a paved road in a neighborhood. This should be Los Reales. It dead-ends and doesn't go out to Old Spanish Trail like it should. So take a left on Camino Mirlo and a right on Ave. de Portrillo and another right on Cam. Garanon and that goes to Old Spanish Trail and comes out at THE gas station. Head north on Old Spanish Trail and go west on Irvington. Keep going past the Dead End sign. *[If you do not wish to drive through State Trust Land (or that dirt road) go north on Houghton to Escalante. Head east to Old Spanish Trail and then south to Irvington. Head west and go past the Dead End Sign.]*
Site #3 Beyond the Dead End
Park at N 32° 09.546 W 110° 45.312, and then walk down trail on the other side of white boulder. Small geotykes will have to be watched closely as you near the wash. Views are beautiful from here. I think this would be a great place to be at sunset. Do be careful getting to the cache. Notice the large appliance in the wash. How did it get there?
To get to the last site, head back up to Old Spanish Trail and go south to Vail. Just before Colossal Cave Park, you'll make a right to go into Vail (Pistol Hill Road). Near that junction are 2 geocaches: "A Prickly Cache" and "Beyond A Prickly Cache" that are nice caches to visit if you haven't already. Road into Vail eventually becomes Colossal Cave Road. You'll want to take a right onto Via Rancho de Lago. It says no outlet. It is heading into a bunch of new houses. Take a left onto a dirt road at N 32° 03.728 W 110° 42.368 and now you're heading for the Geocache site.
Site #4 The Pantano in Vail
This site doesn't need much explanation. Cache should be easy to find. We think the dirt road going up that hillside comes out at the high school (Anyone want to find out? Let us know). In any case, once you're finished, go back to the main road and turn right. You'll want to cross the Pantano and see it on this road. To the east begins the Cienega Creek Preserve and to the west is where you just were. The Pantano extends into the Preserve and somewhere around the bend the wash is called Cienega Creek. So if we were following downstream…Cienega Creek peters out to be the Pantano Wash, which in turn runs into the Rillito River. If you are interested in continuing further, visit the "Cienega Creek Overlook" geocache.