<div>Don't forget that geocaches are not allowed in the Superstition
Wilderness Area (or any Wilderness Area, for that matter.) If you plan
to "drop" a cache while you're out hiking and looking for others, you
should keep that in mind. There are a number of caches in the area
between Lost Dutchman Park and the Wilderness Boundary though. To
avoid the fee for the privelege of 'parking' at Lost Dutchman Park,
I'd recommend one of the trailhead parking areas along First Water Road.<br>
<br>
<br>
I'm surprised no one has mentioned South Mountain as a hiking/caching
location within 20 minutes of Phoenix. South Mountain Park is the
largest municipal park in the country (if not the world) and (at least
the last time I was there) there is no use fee. There are miles
and miles of trails and possible elevation changes of over 1000
feet. It's in the heart of the city and sees heavy traffic but as
you get further into the interior you will forget you are in the city.
There are a couple of bookmark lists detailing South Mountain caches
which would indicate that there are between 50 and 80 active caches in
the area. A carefully planned hiking/caching trip could give
easily give even a moderately experienced hiker a dozen cache finds in
a day of hiking. My biggest complaint with the park is the fact that it
closes at night and you have to wait for the gates to open in the
morning to access the main trailheads but, if you know where to go, you
can avoid that inconvenience.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
-- Sprocket<br>
</div>
<blockquote style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;" class="gmail_quote">
Date: Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:44:00 -0400<br>
From: <<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:crystalh@cox.net">crystalh@cox.net</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [Az-Geocaching] Hiking in Phoenix area<br>
To: <a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:listserv@azgeocaching.com">listserv@azgeocaching.com</a><br>
Cc: Susan King <<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="mailto:susaneking@yahoo.com">susaneking@yahoo.com</a>><br>
Message-ID: <20080925174400.J8A16.484006.
<div style="direction: ltr;">imail@fed1rmwml41><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8<br>
<br>
Wow! That Siphon Draw trail looks awesome! I've been wanting to do some in the Superstitions, too. Thanks!!<br></div>
</blockquote>