NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: The Superstition Mountains are one of the most visited locations in Arizona. . We hopped in the trucks and headed out as quickly as we could. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. I kept saying, Pretty soon guys, its coming up here. The mysterious deaths and disappearances go on and on. Stay safe out there and Find Your Adventure! It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic, while offering opportunities to stop and interpret what you see on the trail. 2,742 Sq. Good job guys! Todd,Antonio,andIwere in one truck, whileShaun, David, andRyan were in the other. We had only planned on hiking about 2 miles that day to reach the area we were interested in. Here are a few ideas for making the best of a visit to the area. That night, we sat around the campfire to talk about our day and to plan the rest. And he had gold? Time for bed boys. 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. 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. Heres our story. Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. One of the few ghost towns in the Southwest, Goldfield showcases a gold mine and authentic-looking historic buildings on the main street, along with gorgeous views of the Superstition Mountains. However, within a few days, he vanished, never to be seen alive or heard from again. Petroglyphs at Hieroglyphic Canyon in the Superstition Mountains. Is this all just a spooky legend or id there something more to it? Parks near 9321 E Superstition Mountain Dr #50 include Silly Mountain Park, Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey, and Lost Dutchman State Park. This was a scouting trip for us and that meant we needed to get to know the area, and also put some legends and theories to the test. One mystery of the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine has been solved. We met up with Shaun and the rest of the group and they were set up and ready to climb. 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. The Superstition Mountains is a range of mountains in Arizona located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Initial Lost Dutchman's Mine's Deaths. 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. 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. The Superstition Wilderness was declared a National Wilderness Area in 1964. 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 . Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser-Alexander / Legends of America, updated July 2021. 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. Weve spent months preparing for this trip and I have spent years researching this area. Skip this activity if you are claustrophobic. As we were driving closer, the 1,000-foot-high column of rock called Weaver's Needle, came into focus. All of these elements can be found in the search for the Lost Dutchman Gold Mine, reportedly well hidden in Arizona's mysterious-looking (and aptly named) Superstition Mountains (pictured above). And you couldnt do anything about Berardi, Joe. When I say race, Im not kidding. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. He had this excitement in his voice like a kid on Christmas morning. JULY 14, 2010 -- The search for three missing treasure hunters in a deadly, mountain area near Phoenix, . The Prime Rib was very good and its a fun atmosphere. Also in that year was the disappearance of two young boys, Ross Bley and Charles Harshbarger, whose bodies were never found. Arizona Superstition Wilderness Topo Atlas Paperback. 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. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. We have a lot to do tomorrow. ~ The Lost Dutchmans Mine. Many come for Look what we found high up on this hill. Deep off the trail, with no sign of modern-day trash, footprints, or graffiti, they found Indian ruins. We soon found an area that Ryan and I thought would be agreatspot for Antonio to do his interview. Let me push pause here for a minute. Over the years, many people have tried to find the Lost Dutchman's mine, and several have lost their lives searching for gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains. All Treasure Hunting. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. The 180 miles of trails range Excellent hiking opportunities. I reached the spot but unfortunately, I only found a few clues to these prospect mines, but no mine dump or mine openings. Once we were on the way home all the team members were very excited about the trip. 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. 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. The Apache Trail is a 40-mile circular route right through the Superstition Mountains. Thousands have searched, some have died, all in pursuit of one thing: treasure. 46 reviews of Superstition Mountain Museum "Here in the shadow of Superstition Mountain, you will find a museum of artifacts, history and folklore of the surrounding region, in central Arizona. 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. 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. Throughout history, foresters have had an interesting relationship with wildfires as they learned more about their ecological impact. Everyone else went ahead to prepare for the climb. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation. Legend in the Superstition Mountains Documented by Timothy Draper Categories & Site Details: Famous Treasure Stories, Field Research, Gold, Gold & Doubloons, Metal Detectors, Mining Legends, Mysteries, Spanish History, Spanish Treasure, Treasure Sites in America Table of Contents "Many Have Tried and Many Have Died" - Timothy Draper are filled with treasures. But this mountain range, less than an hour east of Phoenix, is famous for more than its beauty. NASA's Photos From Mars: Don't Tell Me the Red Planet Wasn't Once a Thriving World! One of these was a veterinarian and treasure hunter named Adolf Ruth, who in 1931 made his way to these wind-swept wilds, armed with what he at the time claimed to be the actual original map to it. We had a 7-hour drive ahead of us and we wanted to start early. Next to the Grand Canyon, the Superstition Mountains are Arizona's most photographed landmark. has it that in about the 1870s a German miner named Jacob Waltz found gold in While hiking, you might meet people who are still searching for the gold mine supposedly discovered by Dutchman Jacob Waltz. Who killed him and then separated his head from his body remains unknown. Several. A Wild West experience would not be complete without a horseback ride. For questions about programming, membership or anything else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact. In any case, that surviving member is then told to have confided in Jacob Waltz, a man whose mistaken nationality was used to christen the hidden treasure, telling him where exactly in the Superstition Mountains that he could have found it. Not specializing in any one subject, youll learn a bit about everything - the plants atyour fingertips, the geology of the rocks you see, and any wildlife that crosses our path! I took a break to wait and listen to them. They would be uncovered in the 1940s, but whether there is any truth to this story is anyones guess. The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. Facilities: Restrooms Fee/Permit: No Hieroglyphic Trail on AllTrails I do enjoy "Mysteries of the Superstition Mountain" episodes. Softcover, 112 pages. Trail conditions vary from fair to very poor. However, the doctor did not know the path to the place as he was blindfolded by those accompanying him. If youre intrigued and want to learn more about his story, visit the Superstition Mountain Museum. The underground tours last about 25 minutes. But, did you know that if you do find a gold mine youll never be able Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Contest Rules To learn more about our adventures and treasures, please visit our blogs to learn more. 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. These characteristics have earned the Superstition Mountains the designation of a Protected Therefore, they brought him to the burial site where he found a stack of gold nuggets which were worth a pretty penny. In this case the body was found first, with the rest of the body following a full 6 months later. Another reference told of a prospector who found 200 prehistoric war clubs in 1884 in the Arizona Superstition Mountains. 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. According to the story, the Apaches quickly descended upon the family to ruthlessly slaughter all of them but one, left alive solely to tell the tale not to mess with the lost mine to anyone who would listen. We were anxious to get breakfast and packing up the equipment out of the way that morning because we wanted to get Dave down into the water. 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. 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. Discover this 2.3-mile loop trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. Local singer, guitarist, & songwriter from Copper Country will be performing all original stories and songs focusing on our local areas, animals, and characters. Experts say theyre not haunted theyre enormous. It was speculated that he had fallen or even jumped, but it is still a mystery, just another casualty of the futile search for the lost treasure. 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. 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. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. Depending on the season, youll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. Then, Jacob Waltz comes along a Germany-born prospector who, according to Grunge, was mistaken as being Dutch. This area is truly a beautiful place, one for the record. I felt something shaking my legs as my eyes slowly started toopen. However, before Jacob could bear witness to the expanse of gold ore hidden in the mountain, another person is believed to have gone to the treasure site. August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101 What an awesome find! says, those mines are buried deep within the mountains and practically 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. We'll be in touch if we look into your question. Superstition Mountain has an elevation of 5,024 feet. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. It was a good challenge for them. It turned out to be that we were about 6.5 miles into theSuperstition Mountains, and we were sunburned, hungry, and tired. The saloon offers Western-style food and drinks, and if you visit on a weekend, you can even see a gunfight. For one, the desert area bears remnants of the cliff dwellings of an ancient people whose identity is still unknown. It was something we needed to do on this scouting trip so we could know for sure what equipment we needed to bring on the next trip. You can stay overnight at the foot of Superstition Mountain, at the state parks campground. We arrived at Shauns house at 7:30 am in St. George Utah. RODRIGUEZ: And that, Davis says is what has led He'd go out there looking for the mother lode. 2023 Treasures in America. It took about 30 minutes to get to our first destination, Canyon Lake. If this were true, it would substantiate the allegation. The 66-year-old Ruth, who was by all accounts absolutely and hopelessly obsessed with the location of the Lost Dutchmans Mine, ventured out into those badlands despite warnings against it, and shortly after vanished without a trace. Pretty soon., When we saw it for the first time, it was like there was already a feeling of accomplishment. Description: The Superstition Mountains in Arizona cover 160,000 acres of desolate, rugged terrain. Your contact infoWe'll be in touch if we look into your question. (Tobias) has to do with Jesuit treasure, and this area is represented by the Priest stone. Mexican miners. The group initially was made up of young men from . You see, treasure hunting and historical research take a lot of time, dedication, and research. Spurgin said the men have been in the Superstition Mountains -- where the . Waltz would claim to have been out prospecting when he had come across an unimaginably vast vein of gold out in the mountains, curiously supposedly near Weavers Needle. Treasures In America spent several months researching and planning this trip. Is someone or something trying to keep this treasure hidden? You can take one from O.K. Now I do enjoy talking about the LDM and Dr. Thorne, but I always wondered about the lost dragoon pistols. Since 1880 records show many have died or disappeared. The main thing is that they supposedly accidentally found this ancient Apache treasure somewhere in the mountains, but it was to spell their doom. NADINE Superstition Mountains in Lost Dutchman State Park outside of Phoenix, Arizona. In one of their episodes, Larry Hedrick talked about a lost shipment of Dragoon pistols. This would become a common theme in the Superstition Mountains, the presence of decapitated corpses, and indeed this has happened to quite a few people who have dared look for the Lost Dutchmans mine throughout the decades. Theyre bobcats, mountain lions, javelinas, In December of 1949 a man named James Kidd vanished without a trace in the area as well. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. We were set up, for sure, the most comfortable base camp I have ever had in my treasure hunting days. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. A native Hungarian from Transylvania (Romania), Emese grew up surrounded by multiple cultures and speaks several languages. This was a Mexican family which had amassed quite a bit of wealth by way of mining sectors of the Superstition Mountains. 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. Non one really knows, but the answers just may lie out there in the desolate reaches of those desert badlands. On Saturday, years after Capen's Jeep, wallet, backpack and cellphone were found by hikers, volunteers from the Superstition Search and Rescue finally located what they believe is Capen's body.. Case History: The Lost Dutchman Mine is possibly one of the famous lost treasures in history. 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! Arizona > Superstition Mountains Highlights: Rough, rocky mountains east of Phoenix, covered by saguaro and other cacti, and split by many canyons. 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. The Prime Rib was very good and its a fun atmosphere. You dont have to rush to experience all that the Superstitions have to offer in one day. Join a ranger as we enlighten you with special guests and topics of interest. Yes, the famous Dutchman mine and its glory Legend is well known, but thats not exactly the real reason were here. When we all met back at the trucks, we had many stories to tell each other. Each scouting trip, we hope to find enough clues to get us to want to come back. 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