"Smuggler's Cave' hike

 

This was another 'destination' hike that started at the front door of the house.  But this time instead of walking out east across the flats and into the foothills we went west towards Blue Tank wash.  It used to be a pretty good horseback riding trail, but does not seem to have been used much lately.  So it turned out to be more of a 'route' finding type hike than following an established trail.

The whole goal of the hike was to find the 'smugglers cave'.  I had not been to the cave in 30 years and it is slightly off the 'trail'.  So we had to find the trail and then find where the cave is in relation to the trail - and we did it!

The smugglers cave is actually a prohibition era bootlegging operation.  Back in the day it actually even had the still inside - these days we did not find much inside. But the cement framed door is pretty cool.  I was kind of amazed my sister was able to find it because it is pretty well hidden.  It was hidden for a reason and there is still no trail directly to it.

Patrick

This used to be a pretty good trail