To reach our cache, we headed south on Hwy 83 and then turned east between Milepost 40 and 39 (N31° 46.127' W110° 40.950'). Follow main road in and past the sign that says Headquarters and follow the part of that sign that says to All Other Roads. Main road ends at a T. This road is known as South Road or EC 900 or EC 901. Turn north so that you'll be on EC 901. Drive past the Empire Ranch corrals (this is a working ranch and during the week, you'll often see cowboys, horses and of course- cows here). Just to the east of all the corrals is a gate. Drive through it, after opening it of course, and you should see a prominent sign says EC 901. You will need to drive about 5 miles up EC 901 until you get to a left hand U turn at the junction of EC 901, EC 910 and EC 914. You want EC 910. EC 901 is a good road with the creek crossings cemented. EC 910 is up on a berm and not too bad but it does have some deep puddle holes. You have 1 gate to open. You'll drive about 0.5 mile on this road until just after a corral. EC 912 is a right turn after corral. This road deteriorates rapidly, especially once you reach the State Trust Land, and is marked 4WD in this area. We're crazy and drove our Toyota Matrix and parked at N31° 49.885' and W110° 33.374'. 4WDs can go further but should park at N31° 49.753' W110° 33.292' because the road is turning the wrong way past here. Do mark your car with your GPS so you won't get lost coming back.
After the 4WD parking space, we bushwhacked over land because Trusty Companion wanted to eat his lunch in the shade of the palisades off in the distance. Then he wanted to climb to the top of them. I suggested we leave that one to Mule Ears. We also wanted to place this cache far enough away that Shadowace couldn't drive (no matter how crazy he is) to within 400 feet of it. Anyway, we made it to the shade where I swear the temperature dropped 10 degrees! We ate lunch and then hunted for a good spot to leave cache. We found an interesting hillside. Trusty Companion slid lots going up to the bushes we wanted to leave cache in so do be careful. Cache is at 4,400 foot elevation. We never made it to the top of the hills. We decided there were other places back in the Preserve to go and explore.
We walked this on a warm December day and still needed that water we carried. Also all the plants are dormant now and the creeks/washes are dry. Most of the grasses in this area are only 3 feet high but there are plenty of stickery bushes. If the wash is not dry, mentally add more difficulty to this little walk.
FTF prize in cache- a woodcut horse head that is not a little ornament but rather, a piece to stand on a shelf. Oh yeah, before I forget. We didn't quite remember the name of the canyon while in it. So the tin and logbook says Maddie Canyon when you are actually in Mattie Canyon. Helps to wear reading glasses when looking at itty bitty writing on maps too!
After getting back to car, draining yet another bottle of water, we headed back west on EC 912 to EC 910 to the junction of EC 901 but we took EC 914. This will take you to our next geocache of the day Cinco Canyon View.
State Trust Land permits are easily obtainable in Tucson or Phoenix. Information can be found at: http://www.land.state.az.us/programs/natural/rec_offroad_permit.htm. In Tucson, the office is on the edge of downtown and free street parking is available.