Within 20 minutes, we had our gear and were back on the trail. We stopped by the closest gas station to buy some coffee and drinks along with a few snacks for the journey. When I reached the spot I had left them, I noticed that they werent answering my hollering for them. How many parks have you been to? haunted. It also means that you will rarely have access to water sources or shade. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. If you appreciate native flora, join a ranger as they guide you on an easy going and informative hike highlighting some of the Sonoran Desert's staple (and seasonal!) What is the curse of Superstition Mountain? Berardi, Joe. Here is a place of sprawling rugged wilderness, encompassing the Superstition Wilderness Area and drawing in hikers, rock climbers, campers, and all manner of those looking to enjoy the natural splendor and outdoor activities on offer. . Just east of Phoenix, the rugged Superstition Mountains shoot nearly 6,000 feet into the sky. We searched around the area, leaving no stone unturned. Superstition Mountain Home for Sale: Fabulous views from this . The Superstition Mountains in Arizona are bound to be home to at least a few good stories by virtue of their name alone. He never found it, but he did establish something that came to be known as the Dons of Phoenix a name that honored the Spanish dons who explored the area in the 1600s. Places. There we met up with Antonio and made our way down to pick up Dave in Logandale, Nevada. For questions about programming, membership or anything else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact. He never came home. Shaun, Antonio, and I wanted to press on to look for these mines/prospects, a few more miles away. This is a nice introductory hike to the Superstition mountain wilderness area. It was at this point that the tale of the Dutchmans Mine was spun. Superstition West Treasure Hunters Elk's Lodge 2455 N. Apache Trail Apache Junction, AZ 85119 www.superstitiontreasure.com. I mean, youre trying Yes, the famous Dutchman mine and its glory Legend is well known, but thats not exactly the real reason were here. After we packed up the gear and hiked back down to the cars we decided to go to the famous Lost Dutchman Mine restaurant. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . from simple to very rugged. We had no idea what lied ahead, so I changed into my hiking clothes, boots, and put my handgun on my hip and we were on our way down the trail. The Peralta family would go on to be suspected of having left some evidence behind of their discovery in the form of a series of odd stones mysteriously etched with codes, pictograms, and cryptic messages written out in imperfect Latin, which are said to hold the key to finding the treasure and which have been dubbed the Peralta Stones. These stones were allegedly written up by the family shortly before their massacre and left behind by Apaches who did not know their true meaning and so left them to rot away in the sun. After careful consideration, we agreed that we believe we have many clues, evidence, and time phases of history that go back for a very long time in this area. Be sure to catch a glimpse of Weaver's Needle, a rock formation in these mountains that serves as a monument to all who have searched for gold here and lost their lives seeking riches that may or may be hidden within. With its jagged ridges growing straight up from its surroundings, the volcanic range is recognizable from a distance. Weve spent months preparing for this trip and I have spent years researching this area. After a few hours of guy talk and singing along with many songs on the radio, I knew we were getting close to where we could see the famous Superstition Mountains from a distance. A four mile mountain bike loop trail has opened at the park this is a great way to enjoy the park's beauty while experiencing the famed Superstition Mountains! 2,742 Sq. Besides writing for online travel magazines, she publishes a travel blog, teaches Hungarian as a foreign language, and works as a freelance translator. We were heading out for the day and we were ready! There were other weird clues found about the body, such as the presence of two bullet holes to the skull from shots fired at point blank range, and it was speculated that he had perhaps been killed for his secret knowledge or committed suicide, but there was no weapon found. As a sort of reward for this generosity, he was apparently one day asked to put on a blindfold, after which he was told he would be led to the mythical lost cavern of gold. The Prime Rib was very good and its a fun atmosphere. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. Sit back and listen to the quiet stories and emotions that linger in his folk songs. I looked at a few of the pics they had shown me and we were able to pinpoint the area with our GPS. ~ The Lost Dutchmans Mine, Many Have Tried and Many Have Died Timothy Draper, Day 2 The Hunt for the Lost Dutchmans Mine, Day 4 The Lost Dutchmans Mine Another Day, Teknetics Metal Detectors and Accessories. After the trucks were packed up, we made our way to the local gas station to buy a parking pass for the lake, stock up on food and drinks for the day, and we were off. The Apache warriors who had massacred them are then said to have reburied the entrance to this enormous trove of gold, and to this day the area where this is believed to have happened has been labeled the Massacre Grounds, and there are other places names that denote this grim history such as Massacre Falls and others. Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Contest Rules More experienced hikers should try the Siphon Draw Trail, the most scenic in the area. Will We Ever Be Able to Sleep Our Way to the Stars? So firmly do the Pimas rely on this prophecy that they will not cross the Superstition Mountains, for there sits Cherwit Make-awaiting the culmination of their wickedness to let loose on the earth a mighty sea that lies dammed behind the range. Phoenix: Wilson Austin Surveys and Maps, 1960. Trail conditions vary from fair to very poor. His skull was discovered with a hole made by what AZ Central reports to be an Army-style .44 caliber revolver. There has been much speculation as to who killed him and why, but no conclusions have been drawn. Happy Cactus Tour to Apache Trail & Superstition Mtn 38 Recommended Art Classes from $125.00 per adult Full Day Apache Trail Adventure Tour from Scottsdale 13 Recommended Full-day Tours from $175.00 per adult Private Half-Day Apache Trail Tour with Pickup 3 Bus Tours from $450.00 per adult (price varies by group size) He would take this secret location practically to his grave, but as he lie dying from a bout of pneumonia in 1891 he allegedly told all, laying out the secret location of the lost and cursed Apache treasure, giving detailed but cryptic instructions on how to navigate the rough terrain to the entrance, as well as scrawling out a crude map to it all as he lay on his deathbed. The Apaches told him he could grab as much of the gold as he could carry on his person, which he did before being led back out, never knowing the precise location, although he did mention a sharp peak of rock, which is thought to have perhaps been Weavers Needle, a popular landmark in the area. GREGORY DAVIS: You Arizona is host to one of the great treasure legends of not just America, but of the world: The Lost Dutchman Mine. According to these legends, this treasure was almost never seen by mortal eyes, at least not by anyone who lived to tell about it, but there are some tales of outsiders stumbling across it. miners, as well as Spanish settlers, and Native Americans who lived in the Along with the body was found a mysterious note ensconced within a bottle, which said that he had broken his leg and needed help, but which also stated that he had had managed to find the legendary Lost Dutchmans Mine. Superstition Mountains While rescuers found a strange note he had written stating "P.S Have found the lost Dutchman," when his body was found in 1932, things got even more strange. Praying Hands to Slot Rock. ARROYO That he found in a mine? E Superstition Mountain Drive Property Records (Gold Canyon, Arizona) View property records for 20 addresses located on E Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon, Arizona, including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. Dave and I raced to Mesa city to get his tanks filled with oxygen before the store closed at 8:00 pm. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? Covered by all varieties of cacti on lower elevations, they burst with color in the spring, when wildflowers bloom. In later years there is the story of the adventurous Spanish born Doctor Abraham Thorne, who was at the time living among the Natives of the region and studying their medical practices. This was one of my best trips yet! We wanted to be there now, and it seemed like it took forever. Mine. it. Pan for gold at Prospectors Palace, visit the historical museum and a reptile museum, stop at one of the curio shops, and visit the Bordello and the church on top of the hill. I wish I could explain more about the specifics, but remember, a good treasure hunter keeps his closest secrets close and doesnt reveal too many pieces of the puzzle. His body would later be found with a bullet hole to the head. There is a well-developed trail system, and the western end of the wilderness receives heavy use during the cooler times of the year. Superstition Mountain, Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. Mountains over the years. Arizona > Superstition Mountains Highlights: Rough, rocky mountains east of Phoenix, covered by saguaro and other cacti, and split by many canyons. The area's history of ancient floods, pre-Columbian farming, boom and bust mining, stagecoach travel and 20th-century hydro power, is still evident today to the curious and informed. Rocky terrain and a change in elevation make this trail hard for most people. rises to more than six thousand. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. Consider the severe elements in the Superstition Mountains, during that past 250-300+ years, and the fact that the marker in that area would not be made of granite, but of porous stone that would severely deteriorate. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. Another reference told of a prospector who found 200 prehistoric war clubs in 1884 in the Arizona Superstition Mountains. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. Let me push pause here for a minute. Luckily, we had two boats out on the lake with us which helped for filming and spreading out the team so we could cover as much of the lake as possible in a shorter amount of time. Now let me remind you, this was late February and even in Arizona, this water was COLD! by Tiffany Owens | Posted on January 19, 2015. Then, Jacob Waltz comes along a Germany-born prospector who, according to Grunge, was mistaken as being Dutch. All Treasure Hunting. However, the doctor did not know the path to the place as he was blindfolded by those accompanying him. Besides the campsites for both RVs and tents, you can also rent a cabin for a more comfortable but still rustic experience. In June 1931, Dr. Adolph Ruth set out on a two-week voyage through the legendary Superstition Mountains in search for the lost treasure. After carefully scoping out the area, we headed down the road as there was so much to do and only so much daylight. We spent at least 2 hours looking and we had had no luck, not a clue! We had a hike scheduled for the day and we needed to secure our boat rental for the next day. There have been other mysterious and ominous disappearances as well, including an abandoned campsite found in the mountains in 1958 complete with blood-soaked blankets, but no bodies and no suspect. And you couldnt do anything about The story of the Lost Dutchmans Mine would go on to become a persistent legend and obsession for many would-be treasure hunters over the years. I could hear the rest of the crew talking about how beautiful the sunrise was and I didnt want to miss out. Having abandoned modern civilization to live with the tribe for several years, the Apache people wanted to thank the doctor for the medical attention that he had provided to them. 27.07 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Flames of Prophecy, 29.07 - MU Podcast - Contract with the Goddess, 27.06 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Secret Vaults of Time, 29.06 - MU Podcast - Italian Disco Abductions, 27.04 - MU Plus+ Podcast - High-Res Healing, TikTok and Its Strange Proliferation of Mysterious Accounts of Skinwalkers, A 3,500-Year-Old Frozen Mummified Bear Found in Siberia. Arizona Superstition Wilderness Topo Atlas Paperback. He explained to us how in some areas, he couldnt see more than a few feet in front of him. Court, you made this trip possible and you did it during the time of your surgery and I want to say thank you. . Lets go, get up, its 7 a.m. I spent a minute or two getting my eyes to focus on the trailer and my surroundings. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than half a mile up the trail. Photos of the Superstition Mountains and others relating to the miner known as the "Dutchman" set to the music of Walter Brennan's rendition of "Dutchman's G. She was oblivious, baffled, and would apparently later sell the map of the now dead treasure hunter to parties unknown. . According to Legends of America, the Native Americans in the area believed the Thunder God of their religion lived in the Superstition Mountains, and thus they were required to protect it with lethal force, killing any who might set foot on the mountain and disturb their deity. When I say race, Im not kidding. After eating breakfast I called my cousin Court and talk to him we were ready to pack up. As we were driving closer, the 1,000-foot-high column of rock called Weaver's Needle, came into focus. It was a lot of fun to make some wakes and sight-see the lake. It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. Facilities: Restrooms Fee/Permit: No Hieroglyphic Trail on AllTrails looking to find one of the oldest legends: a gold mine. Indeed, we will keep an eye out for clues on it, but we have other things on our agenda to do and look for in our time here. Please join us as we dive into the geologic past and bring you into the future. At four miles round trip, it takes you into the heart of the Superstitions, through vertical canyons and wildflower-filled meadows, and you might even see a waterfall, something you might not expect in the desert. Did you know that many parks today would not exist without the Roosevelt Presidents, who were both highly instrumental in pioneering the park movement in the United States? Once Daves tanks were out of the air and we got him loaded back up on the boat, we decided to hit the throttle and really cover a big part of the lake to document, take pictures, and film as much as we could. Thousands have searched, some have died, all in pursuit of one thing: treasure. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. I knew we were about 1/2 of a mile away from the mines but the rock monuments needed to be researched and explored. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. With 134 sites with picnic tables, barbeque grills, and fire pits, Lost Dutchman State Park is an ideal place to escape the city and enjoy the desert scenery. Wildman Phil will bring a number of live and preserved creatures including spiders, scorpions, lizards, and snakesfor the enjoyment and education of park visitors. This was a Mexican family which had amassed quite a bit of wealth by way of mining sectors of the Superstition Mountains. We got in the trucks and made our way back down the mountain. But, did you know that if you do find a gold mine youll never be able How he knew all of this no one knows, but one rumor has it that he learned the secret location of this massive stash of gold from the sole surviving Peralta family member. But in this case, the area of the possible arrastra looked right for Spanish mining activity and we still believe that its there, but we didnt find any clues of it this time. Join a ranger as we enlighten you with special guests and topics of interest. ~ The Lost Dutchmans Mine, Canyon Lake and the Wonders Under the Water The Lost Dutchmans Mine. As recent as January 2011, the Arizona Republic reported more remains found in the Superstition Mountains, suspected to be three Utah friends who disappeared the . More than a destructive force, fires promote growth and revitalization. Throughout history, foresters have had an interesting relationship with wildfires as they learned more about their ecological impact. Stroll through the native plant garden or challenge yourself to reach the Flatiron, Lost Dutchman State Park has trails to suit any hiking enthusiast. I felt proud of them! We made our way past Goldfield and the Superstition Museum and then on to Canyon Lake. The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. It was a job well done. He'd go out there looking for the mother lode. I jumped out of bed, had a good stretch to shake off the night and I quickly got dressed and headed outside. Fun atmosphere looking to find one of the Dutchmans Mine, Canyon Lake and the Wonders Under water! City to get his tanks filled with oxygen before the store closed at 8:00 pm a... Trail Junction is well defined and every trail Junction is well signed ready... 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