We all thanked him for his hospitality and for everything he did. For more than a century, people locals and visitors have ventured into this part of Arizona looking to find one of the oldest legends: a gold mine. Many come for He said the bars were all stamped with what appeared to be a crown. to find a little shaft thats been covered a least 6 feet in depth thats This was the trip that started it all! The area was flat, in a type of cove surrounded by tall cliffs, there was a running stream very nearby, everything met the criteria that we would expect an arrastra to be in. The body of a man who was 'fueled by obsession' to find a legendary gold mine has reportedly been found in the remote Superstition Mountains of Arizona. 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. The mine's location remains a mystery to this day. This comes as no surprise, especially considering that this mountain range is believed to have a pretty odd history which all centers around an alleged hidden treasure: the fabled Dutchmans mine, a treasure which has taken the lives of many who have gone in search of it. There is a well-developed trail system, and the western end of the wilderness receives heavy use during the cooler times of the year. Yet the mountains and their cursed treasure would get their most well-known mystery with the arrival of a German immigrant named Jacob Walz, also often spelled Waltz, who was a gold prospector in the Phoenix valley in the late 1800s. His body would later be found with a bullet hole to the head. You see, treasure hunting and historical research take a lot of time, dedication, and research. Following the Siphon Draw trail from the Lost Dutchman State Park lot, the trail starts out flat, but as you approach the mountain more technical features come underfoot. The trails in the Superstition Mountains range from short, easy strolls in the desert to strenuous climbs of some of the most dramatic volcanic peaks and everything in between. NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: The Superstition Mountains are one of the most visited locations in Arizona. Here are a few ideas for making the best of a visit to the area. Yet it is also a place of fabled mysteries, talk of dark curses, strange disappearances and deaths, high strangeness, and a secret treasure that it allegedly holds close to it, reluctant to ever give it up. It also means that you will rarely have access to water sources or shade. It now contains approximately 160,200 acres. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 13 min to complete. . The name came from area farmers, who heard tales from the Pima Indians. HOA Superstition Mountain - a great place to live and play. Facilities: Restrooms Fee/Permit: No Hieroglyphic Trail on AllTrails The underground tours last about 25 minutes. 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. Yampa Valley Steve (Steve Jones), a singer-songwriter, will entertain you at Lost Dutchman State Park. He says the Mexican The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. Theres still more, Todds interview at Goldfield, Ryans film at the Superstition Museum, and more. That night, we sat around the campfire and planned out the next day. I felt very excited to see the town I grew up in, its been years since Ive been back to Phoenix Arizona. 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. Description: The Superstition Mountains in Arizona cover 160,000 acres of desolate, rugged terrain. Gold has been found in various places, as most of the mountain range is gold-bearing. We go to get a good idea of what we are up against for the next time. 2,742 Sq. Arizona > Superstition Mountains Highlights: Rough, rocky mountains east of Phoenix, covered by saguaro and other cacti, and split by many canyons. Opened in 1977 at the foot of Superstition Mountain, Lost Dutchman State Park offers the perfect introduction to this desert wilderness. RODRIGUEZ: And that, Davis says is what has led Mountains over the years. Experts say theyre not haunted theyre enormous. 4 groceries, 44 restaurants, 39 parks. Moderate 4.6 (1800) Tonto National Forest. Pretty soon., When we saw it for the first time, it was like there was already a feeling of accomplishment. Featuring desert plants with interpretive signs along the way, this trail acts as an introduction to the area. Where am I? The road that led up to Canyon Lake was a winding road with many switchbacks. Since 1880 records show many have died or disappeared. Bring a chair and join us around the campfire! The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. Superstition Mountains in Lost Dutchman State Park outside of Phoenix, Arizona. Superstition Mountain Home for Sale: Fabulous views from this . Time will tell whether any of its great mysteries are ever solved. Is someone or something trying to keep this treasure hidden? While this is speculation and not necessarily factual, there was a report released indicating that in 1912, some lucky persons discovered $18,000 worth of gold ore in the general vicinity where the alleged murders happened. Shaun, Antonio, and I wanted to press on to look for these mines/prospects, a few more miles away. They are roughly bounded by U.S. Route 60 on the south, Arizona State Route 88 on t. He never came home. But, did you know that if you do find a gold mine youll never be able Also See: Wilderness. Waltz would not have had . Stars Keenan Johnston Mark Dodson Frank Augustine See production, box office & company info Watch on History S1 Go to history.com More watch options Add to Watchlist 27 User reviews Episodes 6 Top-rated Sun, Mar 15, 2015 S1.E6 Superstitions, found gold or knew where the golden spots were located. Next to the Grand Canyon, the Superstition Mountains are Arizona's most photographed landmark. 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. Top ways to experience Superstition Mountains and nearby attractions Happy Cactus Tour to Apache Trail & Superstition Mtn 39 Recommended Art Classes from $125.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Apache Trail Day Trip Including Dolly Steamboat 8 Bus Tours from $215.00 per adult (price varies by group size) LIKELY TO SELL OUT* When we arrived at our base camp, we were greeted by my cousin Courtney, who had set up the two trailers for us. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. Copyright 2023 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD. Customary to most mysterious stories, there are several takes on how the mountain became the housing place of the legendary Dutchmans mine. An even better introduction to the town is a ride on the narrow-track train that follows its outskirts. In 1848, Apaches massacred between 100 and 400 men because they wanted them off their sacred land. Did Ellis Island Really Change Peoples Names? The Superstition . When I told the team that we were on our own and that we had to figure out how to pack up the equipment, they all said, Lets get to Work. After a few hours, we finally had everything ready to go. Once we were on the way home all the team members were very excited about the trip. Depending on the season, you'll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. 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. How many parks have you been to? by Tiffany Owens | Posted on January 19, 2015. After eating breakfast I called my cousin Court and talk to him we were ready to pack up. Reginald Martyr is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News, Join 1000s of subscribers and receive the best Vintage News in your mailbox for FREE. The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. There were a few nerve-racking thoughts going through my mind about the dive because this was the first trip that Dave had dove with us with his scuba gear. We decided to abandon our search because we were losing daylight and we still had to get to the next destination where Shaun and Antonio needed to reach a peak to do some climbing. KRISTOF: Its very I told him dont worry about it. Legend tells of the Lost Dutchman's gold mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of brutal Arizona desert known as the "Superstition Mountains." The promise of a $200 million mother. Following the discovery of what are believed to be maps engraved on stones which point the way to the Dutchmans treasure, many have gone hunting. They offer rides ranging from an hour to half a day long and will take you into the wilderness in and around the Superstition Mountains. The Superstition Mountain range is the biggest mountain range in the Phoenix Area and is mostly made up of true desert. Based on the report from Prairie Ghosts, the general take on this story is that he, along with a miner by the name of Jacob Weiser, was given a map to the treasure site by the surviving Peralta whose life the two are reported to have saved. are filled with treasures. Court only lived about 12 miles away. It turned out to be a very narrow and shallow canyon, but it seemed to be a great spot for Dave to make his first attempt to dive. They would be uncovered in the 1940s, but whether there is any truth to this story is anyones guess. After an hour or so of unpacking the trucks, we headed to the grocery store to buy enough food to last us the next few days. The best times to visit this trail are October through May. These two work hard to stay in shape and keep up with their training because there are so many places they get sent to climb down into like shafts, caves, & more. Denver Post reported that his remains were found wedged in an inaccessible crevice. Still, even though his body was found, his death remains a mystery. Stayed tuned for the 4th-day blog, our last day. The Superstition Mountains (their name inspired by Pima Indian legends) have been a source of mystery and legend since early times. Out in the remote badlands of the U.S. state of Arizona, just to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area lies a sun scorched, dried up, arid moonscape of twisted peaks and sprawling expanse of badlands called the Superstition Mountains, at one time called the Sierra de la Espuma by Spanish settlers. Stop at the visitor center and talk to the rangers to learn about the park and trails, then pick up a map and head outside to get on a trail and start exploring. unique features like the Weavers Needle stand at 4,000 feet. COVID update: Superstition Mountain Museum has updated their hours and services. We had a hike scheduled for the day and we needed to secure our boat rental for the next day. The Weaver's Needle is a landmark for the Lost Dutchman's Mine where many have mysteriously died or vanished while searching for its golden treasure trove. Sometimes the treasure is a vein of pure gold, or the abandoned mine of the Peralta family, or a cache of goods stolen from Mexican miners. poppy wildflowers that is. Dave! Reservations will canceled be refunded. In one of their episodes, Larry Hedrick talked about a lost shipment of Dragoon pistols. Covering over 160,000 acres, the Superstition Wilderness contains an abundance of cactus, wildflowers, and perennial water sources interwoven with the soaring mountain tops of granite, basalt and dacite.. Summer days may offer unforgiving heat or violent thunderstorms. For one, the desert area bears remnants of the cliff dwellings of an ancient people whose identity is still unknown. the Superstition Mountains recovered some, and then hid it. An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. Dave was so visibly excited and filled with energy, we decided to have a sit-down interview with him in hopes to capture his thoughts and excitement on film before heading out onto the lake. Throughout history, foresters have had an interesting relationship with wildfires as they learned more about their ecological impact. One mystery of the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine has been solved. The initial search party found no trace of him, but then, in December 1931, they found a human skull with two holes from a .44 caliber. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. ARROYO Good job guys! With their jagged peaks, ridges, and canyons, the Superstition Mountains rise in dramatic vertical lines above the surrounding flat desert. One of the most prominent such tales is that of an affluent mining family from Mexico, the Peraltas, although some versions of the story say they were ranchers. The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. 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 . In this series, forensic geologist Scott Wolter -- considered a real-life Indiana Jones by some -- travels across the country to uncover some of the hidden treasures and to reveal the history. Here, we decided to split up again. Superstition West Treasure Hunters Elk's Lodge 2455 N. Apache Trail Apache Junction, AZ 85119 www.superstitiontreasure.com. Todd, Ryan, Shaun, and I were the first to meet up. I mean, youre trying Enjoy a grilled steak, or just pan for gold. We'll be in touch if we look into your question. This trail will wind you through some amazing sights and scenes. A deeper dive - Related reading from the 101. 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. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than 0.5 miles up the trail. federal government theyll say 'thats nice.' The lost stash of gold, which has gone on to be rather oddly known as the Lost Dutchmans Mine, has catapulted itself into one of the most intriguing unsolved modern mysteries there is, and the allure of its undiscovered riches has led many people to their deaths, with some estimates saying that over 600 people have mysteriously died or vanished during attempts to try and pry it from its ancient resting place. Spurgin said the men have been in the Superstition Mountains -- where the . During that time, the rest of the team transferred all the gear from the truck to the docks. 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