Judi and I got our permits today in preparation
for doing the El Camino del Diablo cache in January. I'll try to pass along as
much information as I can here.
A single permit is good for the Barry M.
Goldwater Air Force Range (BMGR), the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge,
and the Sand Tanks area of the Sonoran Desert National Monument. Everyone age 18
or over who enters any of these areas must have an individual permit. Visitors
17 and under must be escorted by a permit holder.
In order to obtain a permit, you must visit one
of the offices where they are issued (more on this later) and view a 22-minute
video. It covers most of the rules and regulations, and it's somewhere between
interesting and enjoyable to watch. You can then fill out the "hold harmless"
agreement, which basically says you promise not to sue the government if a bomb
lands on your car, and then they'll hand you a permit. Figure on a total of
30-45 minutes at the office, unless you have to wait for someone else to finish
watching the video (we didn't).
According to the documentation they gave us with
the permit, the only visitors who are REQUIRED to watch the video are those
visiting portions of what is sometimes known as "BMGR East". That area is all
northeast of Ajo and east of SR 85. If that information is correct, then you MAY
not need to see the video in order to get a permit for getting to the El Camino
del Diablo cache, but you'll need to check on that. Tell whoever you're talking
to that you're only planning to be in the area between Wellton and Tule Well,
but don't be surprised if you're told you have to see the video anyway. The
ladies who helped us knew nothing about the range or its geography, they just
knew we weren't getting a permit without seeing the video.
Again, according to their documentation, the only
places that have the video are the two BLM offices in Phoenix, and the Luke AFB
Auxiliary Field south of Gila Bend on SR-85. (I guess nobody in Tucson ever goes to the BMGR.)
Don't know about hours for all of them but the BLM office we went to (7th
Avenue just south of Deer Valley) is open M-F 7:30-4:15, though they ask you
arrive by 3:15 if you're getting the permit. If you don't need to see the video
then you should be able to apply by mail. All permits expire June
30.
If you want to try doing it by phone/mail, I'd
suggest contacting the Cabeza Prieta office. They probably have the best
knowledge about the geography and the lowest volume of calls, etc.:
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
611
North Second Ave.
Ajo, AZ 85321
520-387-6483
Steve
Team Tierra
Buena
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and
"mental illness". -- Dave
Barry