Wild & Woolsey Traditional Cache
Hidden : 11/19/2005
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

On top of Woolsey Peak.

Woolsey Peak is named for King Woolsey, a prominent figure in Arizona history. His Agua Caliente ranch was just a few miles southwest of the peak, along the Gila River.


From the web:


King Woolsey


Born in Alabama and raised in Louisiana, Woolsey's contribution to the early settlement of the Arizona Territory was monumental.

In 1849 Woolsey arrived in California via a British ship. It is rumored his prior activities involved military action in Cuba, was jailed and freed by the British Consul.

In California, Woolsey was a miner for nearly a decade. His success in this venture is not recorded. He moved to the Yuma, AZ area working for a brief time as a teamster, then bought the Agua Caliente ranch. Here he dug an irrigation ditch to power a small flour mill and water his fields of hay. Woolsey secured a contract to supply the California Column of Union troops during the Civil War. He did not let his Southern sympathies get in the way of money.

In 1863, he establish the Agua Fria ranch near present day Dewey, AZ. On the eastern edge of civilization, he farmed, ranched and mined. His ranch was built with stones from a nearby prehistoric ruin, the thatched roof was covered with dirt and he enclosed the property with a stone wall about shoulder high.

Woolsey was also subject to Indian attacks. His first encounter with the Apaches was with two companions after they had returned to the Agua Fria ranch with a load of hay. They found themselves surrounded and outnumber. Woolsey calmly faced this roving band with their only weapon - a double-barreled shotgun. He waited until the chief came within a few paces and fired. The chief was instantly killed. The leaderless band fled. As a grisly reminder to marauding Indians, Woolsey hung the body from a mesquite tree where three years later it still dangled half eaten by animals.

In another incident on a mining expedition, King and his group were being harassed by Apaches. Suggesting a talk, Woolsey succeeded in getting the Apaches into camp. During the arrival King mixed some pinole (a mashed corn meal) with strychnine and placed it in a light pack on a burro. While Woolsey and the Chief were talking, the warriors were looting and found the pinole. Downing the deadly eats, one Indian, then another fell into a fit and rolled on the ground. Frighten by the sight, the menacing visitors left in a hurry.

In 1864 as thefts and menacing activity increased, Lieutenant Woolsey led three expeditions against the Apaches killing a number of the "enemy" with only a loss of a few of his men.

In the early 1870s, he centered his business in the Salt River Valley area of Arizona developing a lucrative trade in packaged salt and with partners established the Phoenix Flour Mills. He served on the Territorial Council five times. Twice as the president.

In his forty-seventh year and at the height of his success, King Woolsey suffered a stroke of apoplexy and died on June 30, 1879.

He is buried in the Pioneer Memorial Park in Phoenix, AZ. The inscription on his headstone reads "He braved the dangers and hardships of frontier life for 19 years with success and the hero of many battles with the Apaches in Arizona."

A more complete version of the King Woolsey story is available HERE

This is the cache we intended to place on our previous visit to the area. Our late arrival that day made a journey to the top of the mountain unwise, to say the least, so we have returned to complete the quest.

Approach is via Old US 80. Just south of Arlington, turn west at Agua Caliente road N33º 15.614 W112º 47.848, and right onto dirt at N33º 15.441 W112º 48.516. Then turn south at N33º 15.514 W112º 48.705 bypassing the gas pipeline compressor installation. Keeping on the main track should be easy until you reach N33º 11.599 W112º 53.101, where you can park, or continue up the east side of the fence, where the definite EVT is at N33º 11.073 W112º 53.128.

ShadowAce and I followed a line that was virtually an extension of the road/fence line from here, all the way up the mountain (see route map). We were elated to hit the top of the mountain EXACTLY at the summit/summit register! How close did you get?


The usual wilderness caveats apply:
1. Bring plenty of water.
2. Wear sturdy, ankle-supporting footwear.
3. Tell someone where you will be going, and when you plan to return home. Then stick to your plan.
4. Beware prickly or poisonous plants.
5. Keep a sharp eye out for rattlesnakes, don't step or put your hands where you can't see. The use of a hiking stick is highly recomended.
6. Bring plenty of water.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ng gur sbbg bs gur qbhoyr fnthneb.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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