You may park your vehicle in this turn-out: (N33 37.473' W116 24.361').
Walk down the highway about 1/4 mile and then proceed to: (N33 37.419' W116 23.964'). The terrain to this point is 2-3 stars. Please, after viewing this most amazing 1000' deep canyon, take your pictures, memories and go back. Not all caches needs to be found and certainly no cache is worth your life.
Unless you are a skilled rock climber who is experienced on 3-4 class climbing on very loose rocks, DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT!
Now, for the experienced, you may proceed at will into the danger zone. At points on the ridge the exposure is most exhilarating! Did I mention very loose rocks?
On a solo trip in August of 1982 I discovered this route into the canyon and named it Cholla Ridge. As you climb down Cholla Ridge you are almost always on or near the ridge. However, at one point, you will be forced about 50' west of the ridge for about 100' of drop. Then get back upon the ridge.
At (N33 37.327' W116 23.874') EXIT Cholla Ridge and head northward if you value your life. There's a 150' overhanging cliff ahead if one was to continue down Cholla Ridge.
After a few hundred feet you should be about 100' - 150' directly above the cache. Climb straight down a ridge (more exhilaration, very narrow at one spot) to the "Are You Experienced?" cache. The AYE cache location is: (N33 37.349' W116 23.855'). The AYE cache is about 100' above the canyon floor. There are Palm trees, sandy beaches, deep pools, many waterfalls and most important, shade down there.
The air temperature in summer is often 100 - 110+ in the bottom of the canyon. It is best to wait in the bottom of the canyon until Cholla Ridge just goes into the afternoon shade before climbing out. The summer sun can be very brutal in this environment. Did I mention 100 - 110+ temperatures?
We (Jimi Hendrix, Coyote Clan & I) climbed down, placed the AYE cache and proceeded to the canyon floor without the use of rock climbing equipment or ropes. But, of course, we are experienced. Coyote Clan & I had in our packs, first aid kits, rock climbing equipment and ropes for our safety. We last saw Jimi with his GPS device heading down the canyon mumbling something about placing another cache.
Almost a year later (5/7/03) I became concerned about Jimi and decided to organized a Search Party. Jeremy (my nephew) was the only one who I could get to volunteer in the search for Jimi. The Search Party Team located the AYE cache and it was in excellent condition. Jeremy took one of the "Are You Experienced?" CD and left something.
About Jimi, even the most skilled rock climber cannot go up or down the bottom of this canyon without climbing equipment and ropes. For some reason this was not a problem for Jimi. The search for Jimi continues.
The AYE cache contains:
Personal first aid kit
Emergency "space" blanket
(4) "Super Alkaline" AA batteries
Log book
Ink pen
Permanent marker
Can opener
An Original World#1 genuine Duncan Yo-Yo
Smokey The Bear Date Book
And last, but definitely not least, Jimi left three of his CD's "Are You Experienced?"