Since 1880 records show many have died or disappeared. The Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine (also known by similar names) is, according to legend, a rich gold mine hidden in the southwestern United States. Then in 1984 to discourage treasure hunters from going in there the federal government passed a law forbidding. You can stay overnight at the foot of Superstition Mountain, at the state parks campground. The Treasure Loop Trail #56 starts from the Saguaro day use area. 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. The mine's location remains a mystery to this day. Then, in as recent as 2010, Phoenix New Times covered the story of Jesse Capen, a 35-year-old man from Denver, Colorado who vanished in the Superstition Mountains while hunting for the famous treasure. Some places have long been thought to be simply no good. There are still those who obsessively search for it and try to decode its secrets, but no one has ever really quite managed to find it, to the point that many skeptics question whether it ever really existed at all. Will We Ever Be Able to Sleep Our Way to the Stars? Even before the Dutchman story ever came about, and these things are right down our alley. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. Featuring desert plants with interpretive signs along the way, this trail acts as an introduction to the area. The Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. We will also go over bird watching basics for those that are interested! Length 4.3 miElevation gain 944 ftRoute type Loop. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic, while offering opportunities to stop and interpret what you see on the trail. What Ive read if you actually find the mine and told the Contain several lakes and camping areas Nearest cities with hotels: Apache Junction, Gold Canyon Management: USFS - part of Tonto National Forest Location: The Native Apache people of the area had already long held this as a rather sinister scared place even before outsiders came in to settle the land. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2015. I jumped out of bed, had a good stretch to shake off the night and I quickly got dressed and headed outside. Almost everyone either knows or has heard of the Lost Dutchman Mine. He explained to us how in some areas, he couldnt see more than a few feet in front of him. Several. Apache Junction, AZ 85119, Walking with Wildflowers at Lost Dutchman, Music in Lost Dutchman State Park: Singer Songwriter Steve Holmquist, America's Greatest Idea: A Park Origins Story, Nature's Bounty - Discovering the Herbal Riches of the Desert, Music in Lost Dutchman State Park: Mark Fogelson, SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN LEGENDS- LOST DUTCHMAN, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. haunted. 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. I was happy that everyone was just as excited as I was to be here and to get going. Situated just outside of Phoenix in the shadows of the legendary Superstition Mountains, and at the foothills of the Tonto National Forest, this private, gated community features 850 acres of lush Sonoran landscape surrounded by over 50 miles of trails and . Arizona > Superstition Mountains Highlights: Rough, rocky mountains east of Phoenix, covered by saguaro and other cacti, and split by many canyons. Good job guys! Then head to Lost Dutchman State Park for a star party! According to historians like Superstition Mountain Historical The drive there was full of excitement and anticipation, we discussed our individual plans and got pumped up while listening to our favorite music. 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) In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. Print/PDF map. As we followed the stream for about a half-mile, I looked around to see how everyone else was doing, the team was spread out walking in an orderly fashion to cover and search the best that we could. The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. We dont know if we were in the right place. Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (starting Nov. 1), Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10 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. You dont have to rush to experience all that the Superstitions have to offer in one day. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? Reservations will canceled be refunded. 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. The dump station and showers are closed to anyone not camping at the park. The Lost Dutchman's Mine has gone on to become a pop cultural legend, written of in countless books and appearing on numerous TV shows. The shortest of the area trails at just a quarter-mile long, the Native Plant Trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is paved and wheelchair accessible. 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. A Wild West experience would not be complete without a horseback ride. The crew I was with reached the area of interest and we noticed a couple of old-looking rock monuments off the trail. Registration is required! The day was getting later, faster than I had wanted it to, so I abandoned my search to head back to Shaun and Antonio. A scouting trip is a way for us to cover a lot of ground and to look for evidence of many possible clues in an area of interest. probably had some rubble and erosion over the top of it over the years. In later years, in 1945, a would-be treasure hunter named Barry Storm would claim that as he had been out looking for the treasure he had been fired upon by a mysterious sniper who he called Mr. We didnt know where we were going, we had very little time to get there, and had just arrived barely 5 minutes before the store closed. You might encounter coyotes and roadrunners, desert mule deer, and desert cottontail. Theres a good chance its there waiting for someone to find it, but as Ive mentioned before, this was a scouting trip and we couldnt spend any more time on it. Roosevelt, AZ. Everyone else went ahead to prepare for the climb. Yampa Valley Steve (Steve Jones), a singer-songwriter, will entertain you at Lost Dutchman State Park. to find a little shaft thats been covered a least 6 feet in depth thats The Apache Trail is a 40-mile circular route right through the Superstition Mountains. In as much as the range of mountains is recognized for its breathtaking canyons and beautiful volcanic peak, its reputation for being spooky precedes it, oftentimes overshadowing its natural beauty. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. . When did surveillance become a business model and what would it take to rein it in? This talk will cover the geology of the Superstition Mountains, to include where gold comes from and the history of gold hunting in the area. We were feeling pretty good as we made our way back to Todd, Dave, and Ryan. The day was over and we needed to wind down, no better way than sitting at a dinner table, talking about our day and our accomplishments. The mans campsite would be found to hold many books on the lost mine, and this would join a further three more mysterious deaths in 2010 and 2011 in the same area, all of whom had been seeking the legendary Dutchmans Mine. 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. We got in the trucks and made our way back down the mountain. 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. Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Contest Rules Theres still more, Todds interview at Goldfield, Ryans film at the Superstition Museum, and more. 2023 Treasures in America. The road that led up to Canyon Lake was a winding road with many switchbacks. But this mountain range, less than an hour east of Phoenix, is famous for more than its beauty. We had spent many months planning and prepping for this but yet, the outcome was still unsure. He did have gold. 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. 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. An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. We had rented a boat and Dave was preparing to go diving in the lake to look for clues and lost history. It turned out to be that we were about 6.5 miles into theSuperstition Mountains, and we were sunburned, hungry, and tired. 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. The thing that happened next is very common for Treasures in Americas attitude towards things. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 13 min to complete. We hopped in the trucks and headed out as quickly as we could. He said the bars were all stamped with what appeared to be a crown. 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 lode has lured thousands of treasure hunters and continues to claim the lives of those eager to decipher the legend's clues and riddles. says, those mines are buried deep within the mountains and practically It seemed to be a man-made meadow, flat like a work area for a mine perhaps. As I stepped out of the trailer, I could see that Ryan was loading up the truck with his camera and filming gear, Todd was getting his gold pan and, Todd,Antonio,andIwere in one truck, whileShaun, David, andRyan were in the other. 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. I took a break to wait and listen to them. Excellent hiking opportunities. looking to find one of the oldest legends: a gold mine. We try to stay focused on sites that seem promising, and not all of them do. $25.00 Yearly Superstition West Treasure Hunters meets in Apache Junction on the . We had a very aggressive trip planned and we needed to stay on task and reach our goals if we were to see and research everything we had planned for. Id like to rewind a bit to explain why were here so that you may understand a few things. It is said to be one of the most famous treasures in America. When we reached our destination area, we found an old abandoned ranch and it remains. But, did you know that if you do find a gold mine youll never be able We ran into a couple of hikers along the way and I asked them some questions, trying not to give away too much information about the importance of what we were seeking. Phoenix: Wilson Austin Surveys and Maps, 1960. 9321 E . it. 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. After you learn a thing or two about the gold rush in Arizona, the Apache tribes, and the lost Dutchman, you might want to experience a gold-mining ghost town. Within 20 minutes, we had our gear and were back on the trail. I told him dont worry about it. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. To this day, youll find people who believe that a legendary gold mine lies hidden in these mountains, waiting to be found. We had a hike scheduled for the day and we needed to secure our boat rental for the next day. Babcock relates of a book by James Swanson and Tom Kollenborn, who went looking in the Superstition Mountains for an underground civilization and a huge treasure dating to the Inca or Aztec. Superstition Mountains, Tonto National Forest In the 1930s, you might have seen Arthur Weber wandering around Peralta Canyon. Don Miguel Peralta discovered the mine in 1845. You can take one from O.K. Get-rich-quick schemes are as American as the Fourth of July. Brent Swancer is an author and crypto expert living in Japan. 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. The Superstition . Pro Tip: For the best chance to see wildlife, go out in the early morning hours or right after sunset. Long before Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and grifter-socialite Anna Delvey, we had the Gold Rush and even today, plenty of Americans are still fixated on an either long-lost or fictional gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains.For more than a century, adventurous souls have sought the Lost Dutchman Mine, and since 1891 . mountain draws people. Hunting for the Lost Dutchman is typically a one-man journey, but lifelong Dutch Hunter Wayne Tuttle is breaking with tradition and partnering with a team of experts to follow a newly revealed clue that could finally solve the 500-year-old mystery of Americas most famous and deadliest buried treasure. exist. Join us at Lost Dutchman State Park for a program that covers the basics of bird watching and includes a guided walk on the trails searching for our feathered friends. I felt proud of myself! Photos (4,320) Directions. El sendero es de 1.5 millas con terreno rocoso, pero sin mucha cambia de elevacin. Superstitions, found gold or knew where the golden spots were located. We reachedCanyon Lake and we stood there in awe when we saw it. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: The Superstition Mountains are one of the most visited locations in Arizona. 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. HOA Superstition Mountain - a great place to live and play. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. 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