Planning a trip to Skull Cave!

[Hippy]

I've always been one for a good superstition tale and when i read about the battle at salt river cave or "skull cave" as Bark called it, i just HAD to see, so here i am asking any advice from any who have made the trip.

i've read its pretty dangerous and a bit extreme, is this true? i'm a pretty experienced hiker and i think i'll try it out no matter what (not alone of course)
but any advice would be much appreciated. and i'm also looking for a topo map of the area but cannot for the life of me find one, any ideas where to get a good map???

oh, and we'll be hiking from the ground up, not taking the boat trip via canyon lake, that doesn't seem as challenging to me ;)
thank you in advance!!! anyone care to join us too?? would make a great end of the year hike!

-HH

[FreespiritAZ]

A while back Skull Cave peaked my interest as well. My brother and I went onto Google Earth and used the GPS coordinates (along with some tips for HAZ) to map out a good route. I still haven't had the time to go and hike it, but the route is plotted. If you don't have a GPS Google Earth can be very helpful for giving you an idea of the terrain.

[PLC92084]

Thanks to all the information that's been posted, I'm feeling pretty confident I'll be able to navigate with minimal problems. After studying all available maps and photos of the area (to, from and around the cave), I can't tell if Blue Tank Canyon is navigable from the River back up to Hell's Hip Pocket. Does anyone know if it's possible (or even advisable...). I'm going to have a few days in the back-country and would like to explore the area as thoroughly as possible... Any and all advice/recommendations welcome!

[nonot]

Hells Hip Pocket is not navicable by hiking alone, it is a class 3 canyon with 2 50 ft rappels or since you are going up...cliffs.

Edit: Clarification: From the lake up Blue Canyon to the confluence is navicable...but you can't go far up HHP.

[PLC92084]

Thanks, nonot! As long as Blue Tank Canyon is passable, I'm good to go on this trip... Once I've honed my climbing skills, it sounds like HHP may be an adventure unto itself! Might be fun to try it with someone experienced...

[Hippy]

just to clarify
Have not yet done the trip! Planning for mid to late september, the water may be a bit colder but thats fine with me I know how the heat can destroy me even in september
I'm currently recruiting some of my friends, we are thinking of paddling out from canyon lake marina and taking 2nt/3day in total.

i've read that it would be easiest to paddle to blue tank canyon and climb up to the cave but i have also heard of the gear needed to do it. we only have rock climbing gear enough for one person and only 2 of us have experience.
what are your thoughts on this?

ALSO
How far can a passenger car drive along the Apache Trail to the N. Apache Trail? I've got a little chevy malibu that I rack my kayaks on and I know NOTHING of the AT out that way :/
Part of my crew wants to drive out along N. Apache Trail right up to the river and kayak down the river to BTC from there...thoughts on this?
thanks everyone for your imput!

also, as i said im planning mid to late September if anyone would like to come along for the trip let me know!

[joebartels]

You can drive the entire Apache Trail in a car, thousands do it daily. No climbing gear required to get to the cave from Canyon Lake. Look at the maps on the trail page and start right below it. Blue Tank is too far over.

[Hippy]

awesome, thanks Joe, my cousin keeps saying BTC is the best way to go but you're right i think it's too far over.
i google earth'd the apache trail and it tells me to pull over on part of it park, launch and paddle downstream to the cave, i'm not sure if that's do-able though, i suppose depends how far the road is from the water...

[joebartels]

Unfortunately the access from the north (FR80) is closed before it drops down to the lake. There's an FBI sign warning of huge fines if you enter. Some have walked it without issue. I do not personally know of anyone taking a kayak down that road, nor could I recommend that for obvious reasons. It's a homeland security risk since the road leads to a dam which could seriously alter the Phoenix water supply. The paddle from Canyon Lake is around six miles.

[PLC92084]

If you're planning on 2 nights, 3 days, BTC may be viable since a canoe trip to the "cave" would only take a day. From the maps and track data I've seen (thanks, Joe!) as well as the triplogs I've read (thanks, everyone else!) it's possible to go up BTC through HHP and bypass the technical sections. From the cave, it looks like there may be a navigable route back to BTC along the river (has anyone here actually tried it? - Google Earth doesn't show cliffs and drop-offs very well...).

If you were to consider doing this trip the first weekend in October, I could probably fit it in with my Royal Arch trip the following week (just a thought...). PM if interested.

[Nighthiker]

Miss driving down the road. At one time a sign was placed along the shore of the lake that refered to the cave. Giving the impression that the cave is above the lake at point but its not. The remains (bones) that were located many years after the battle were removed and placed in a common grave at Fort McDowell. But I have also noted they were buried in a cemetary not far from the location of the Tovrea Castle in Phx. This cemetary may also have the grave of a buffalo soldier who was awarded the medal of honor. I have been to this cemetary in the late 60' and early 70's. I don't recall a grave for the people who were killed at Skull Cave or of the Buffalo Soldier at this location. I have not located a grave at Fort Mcdowell either. If you visit the actually location of the site refered to as Skull Cave, it was a battle site. Please be respectfull.

[Hippy]

I planned on doing nothing more than photograph the cave. not only is it a battle site/grave site, it is a historic place to be remembered and protected! I have read and re-read the stories of the battles that took place there and when my tiny "crew" and I arrive I planned on telling them the tales and giving them time to reflect upon the past.
Arizona holds many sites such as this, some of major importance and some of even less, but to me they are all worth the trip and their stories must be told aloud to be remembered in their hearts and to be retold to others.

and ummm, why did my last post disappear? :/ strange...

[joebartels]

and ummm, why did my last post disappear? :/ strange...

?
Last moderator edit on site was on Aug 10th

[Hippy]

hahaha, weird! oh well, Nighthiker's reply fit perfectly with the missing post so it's all good