I see that access to water sources between Tiger Mine TH and the Gila River (Passages 14-16) is by permission of the land owner only. Has anyone ever received the required ok (if so, how?) or figured out another way to deal with this otherwise long and dry stretch of trail (cacheing is not a practical option for me)? Any opinions on the reliability of the public cache that has historically (and mercifully) been maintained at Freeman Road? Thanks for any suggestions!
Matt
Matt, see this recent thread:
Re: permission of landowner - it’s mostly top-down legalize. Same with the “permit for crossing state trust land” business. No one lives out there. Tread lightly, don’t camp near the tanks, and drink early and often.
blisterfree
Last year I resupplied in Tucson, rented an Enterprise for 3 days for $64. Enterprise picked me on Catalina Hwy and return me to Molina Basin TH. Drove to Freemans and cached 7 gallons, and 3 gallons on the Florence-K road. Visited the Tom Mix Memorial. Beehive Well was good and Triangular Bar ranch hands, brothers Jesus and Carlos were very supportive; also gave me a gallon.
Teutonic Knight
Fred, I’m curious how reliable that will be through the end of April? Any idea who maintains that cache?
Thanks!
jamil
This late-starting thru-hiker is also curious about the water cache status towards the end of April. Can anyone shed some insight on the odds of finding a jug or two waiting at the road?
Matt
I think Ken and I will be behind everyone with our late 5/4 start. Leave some for us, too, please!
Marcia
Leaving Freeman Rd, there was about a gal. by the post. We did Passages 14, 15, 16, starting March 8th. Prior to that date we cached 3 gal. at Camp Grant Wash, (There was h2o at a windmill that wasn’t on our GPS)3 gal. at Beehive Well, 1 gal. at base of Anelope Peak, 3 gal. Freeman Rd, 4 gal. at Tecolate Ranch area, 2 at Lone Palo Verde Tree, 2 gal. at Kelvin/Riverside Bridge area. This was plenty for 3 people except at the Bridge. You really needed more h2o going over that mountain following ribbons. (Bushwacking) I just about lost it at the top. Good luck, it’s really a tough hike thru this area. If you’re going in May you may need more h2o than what we put out.
Connie
The “public cache” at Freeman Road is about 0.1m N of Freeman Road under a tree next to trail.
Fred G