We took a few pictures of the sunrise and quickly finished uploading the two trucks. I felt proud of myself! We were set up, for sure, the most comfortable base camp I have ever had in my treasure hunting days. Take a guided tour of the gold mine, the reason the town once existed. After we packed up the gear and hiked back down to the cars we decided to go to the famous Lost Dutchman Mine restaurant. to find a little shaft thats been covered a least 6 feet in depth thats But, did you know that if you do find a gold mine youll never be able 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. majestic views, others come to get rich trying to find the Lost Dutchmans Gold The drive there was full of excitement and anticipation, we discussed our individual plans and got pumped up while listening to our favorite music. 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 kept saying, Pretty soon guys, its coming up here. It turned out to be that we were about 6.5 miles into theSuperstition Mountains, and we were sunburned, hungry, and tired. 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. When waking up in the morning I could feel hesitation to get up and then I realized that it was because it was time to pack up and go home. In preparation for this trip, we had scouted out (by the use ofGoogle Earthand Topo maps) and selected a few areas of interest we wanted to be sure to check out. 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. We had rented a boat and Dave was preparing to go diving in the lake to look for clues and lost history. cant touch this. Categories & Site Details: Famous Treasure Stories, Field Research, Gold, Gold & Doubloons, Metal Detectors, Mining Legends, Mysteries, Spanish History, Spanish Treasure, Treasure Sites in America, The Hunt for the Lost Dutchmans Mine | The Treasures in America Team. The best times to visit this trail are October through May. Let me push pause here for a minute. 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. Todd wanted to pan for gold in the area with David, while Ryan filmed it. We had a team meeting at the trucks and decided that we were here to explore and find evidence, so even if a 7-mile hike was what it was going to take then so be it. I could hear the rest of the crew talking about how beautiful the sunrise was and I didnt want to miss out. X., who seemed to be guarding the area. Within 20 minutes, we had our gear and were back on the trail. Join us on a journey to discover the birds of the Sonoran Desert! The only thing that seems to remain consistent is the location-- somewhere in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. Let me push pause here for a minute. Superstition Mountain Home for Sale: Fabulous views from this . The elevation gain is also gradual. Formed 25 million years ago and involving violent steam-blast eruptions caused by magma pressure deep within the earth, the Superstition Mountains are a collapsed volcanic caldera. unique features like the Weavers Needle stand at 4,000 feet. At the time he had ventured out into the Tonto National Forest in search of the legendary treasure, having looked for it on several occasions in the past and accumulating hundreds of books and hundreds of pages of research on the matter. Heres our story. to dozens of deaths in the Superstition The road that led up to Canyon Lake was a winding road with many switchbacks. Theres still a lot we need to do in the next couple of days. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. But, in order to discover any of that, we first had to see how clear the water was. 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. What an awesome find! But this mountain range, less than an hour east of Phoenix, is famous for more than its beauty. Treasures In America spent several months researching and planning this trip. A Spanish Arrastra After docking the boat, no time was wasted in loading up the truck to head out to our next destination, a possibly lost Spanish arrastra site within the Superstition Mountains. I felt something shaking my legs as my eyes slowly started toopen. Arizona's birds have adapted and evolved to thrive in desert habitats, and have made an impact on the environment and even the local cultures. This was the moment that I knew that TIA was going to become more than just a group of treasure hunters. Besides the campsites for both RVs and tents, you can also rent a cabin for a more comfortable but still rustic experience. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation. The day was getting later, faster than I had wanted it to, so I abandoned my search to head back to Shaun and Antonio. As we were driving closer, the 1,000-foot-high column of rock called Weaver's Needle, came into focus. GREGORY DAVIS: He did 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. 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. We reachedCanyon Lake and we stood there in awe when we saw it. The dump station and showers are closed to anyone not camping at the park. Good job guys! Rocky terrain and a change in elevation make this trail hard for most people. 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* NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: The Superstition Mountains are one of the most visited locations in Arizona. We have the information we need now to be more successful next time. There are unique shops, a saloon and a general store. Named after the fabled lost gold mine,Lost Dutchman State Parkis located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. 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. We had only planned on hiking about 2 miles that day to reach the area we were interested in. 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. Personal photo permitscan be filled out at the park the same day. Berardi, Joe. All Treasure Hunting. Pretty soon., When we saw it for the first time, it was like there was already a feeling of accomplishment. 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! It now contains approximately 160,200 acres. 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. Goldfield Ghost Town . Almost everyone either knows or has heard of the Lost Dutchman Mine. NASA's Photos From Mars: Don't Tell Me the Red Planet Wasn't Once a Thriving World! During that time, the rest of the team transferred all the gear from the truck to the docks. At higher elevations, the desert vegetation slowly disappears, giving way to spectacular rock formations, dotted here and there by giant saguaros that seem to grow out of sheer rock. by Tiffany Owens | Posted on January 19, 2015. Superstition Mountain Hieroglyphic Trail Trail Length: 2.9 miles Elevation Gain: 564 ft Route Type: Out & back Difficulty: Moderate Kid-friendly: Yes Dog-friendly: Yes Parking: There is ample parking at the trailhead. If youre intrigued and want to learn more about his story, visit the Superstition Mountain Museum. After an intensive search, Ruths skull was was found at the bottom of a remote ravine, sitting out there all alone in the unforgiving desert. Good job guys! 2023 Treasures in America. More experienced hikers should try the Siphon Draw Trail, the most scenic in the area. Mine. Weve spent months preparing for this trip and I have spent years researching this area. 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. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. Korakia Pensione Resort Review Palm Springs, California, 10 Key Things To Know If Youre Visiting Yosemite In 2023, 14 Best Things To Do In Beautiful Venice, Florida, Plus Where To Eat And Stay, My 5 Favorite Springtime Experiences In The Arizona Desert, My 6 Favorite Arizona State Park Cabins Perfect For A Winter Retreat, From Burros To Gunslingers: 9 Unique Experiences In Historic Oatman, AZ, 6 Amazing Experiences Along Arizonas San Pedro River, For details on Quillt's privacy and cookie policies, please visit our. poppy wildflowers that is. Try this 4.3-mile loop trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. federal government theyll say 'thats nice.' Almost everyone either knows or has heard of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Its highest point The mysterious deaths and disappearances go on and on. Legend tells of the Lost Dutchmans 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 legends clues and riddles. When we got back to base camp, Todd and Ryan stayed there while Antonio and Shaun left to scout an area of interest for climbing. 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. GREGORY DAVIS: You To this end he lived for years among their ranks, learning their ways and tending to their sick and wounded. 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? A native Hungarian from Transylvania (Romania), Emese grew up surrounded by multiple cultures and speaks several languages. 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. He'd go out there looking for the mother lode. Even though I was so tired at first, I felt myself becoming wide awake withinseconds as I remembered where we were, and what was on the agenda for the day. Stay safe out there and Find Your Adventure! 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. 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. Just east of Phoenix, the rugged Superstition Mountains shoot nearly 6,000 feet into the sky. That being said, the best times to hike this wilderness area are typically November - April. Join a ranger as we enlighten you with special guests and topics of interest. 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. Your contact infoWe'll be in touch if we look into your question. We try to stay focused on sites that seem promising, and not all of them do. The Prime Rib was very good and its a fun atmosphere. Want to learn more about the stars and planets? It was a good challenge for them. A man named Harry LaFrance was said to have been hiking in the Superstitions, and when he took refuge in a cave from a sudden storm, he found a very large pile of gold bars. 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. 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. ARROYO Lost Dutchmans Mine, here we come! 1:00. 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. coyotes and black bears roaming the mountains. RODRIGUEZ: Dont fret, there is gold on the Superstitions: marigolds and Mexican Weve spent months preparing for this trip and I have spent years researching this area. We stopped by the closest gas station to buy some coffee and drinks along with a few snacks for the journey. Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser-Alexander / Legends of America, updated July 2021. Then I heard a familiar voice say, Wake up! has it that in about the 1870s a German miner named Jacob Waltz found gold in Then head to Lost Dutchman State Park for a star party! 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. We were feeling pretty good as we made our way back to Todd, Dave, and Ryan. 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. What Ive read if you actually find the mine and told 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. 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). Skip this activity if you are claustrophobic. But they're even better known for something else: the legendary Lost Dutchman's Mine, a much-ballyhooed secret stash of wealth sought by daring adventurers known as "Dutch hunters." The legend says there are millions of dollars in gold in those mountains. This was one of my best trips yet! Some believe that he fell to his death, but once again, that is not conclusive. While hiking, you might meet people who are still searching for the gold mine supposedly discovered by Dutchman Jacob Waltz. Mysterious bodies turned up in the Superstition Mountains all through the 1960s and 70s, with at least five people found dead with bullet holes to the skulls, and with other bodies found minus the heads, which were never found. After a few minutes, we noticed that the area looked like it had been worked. That he found in a mine? About 40 minutes later I could see them making their way back down a steep hill. Stay safe out there and Find Your Adventure! The Superstitions Mountains lie within the Tonto National wildlife refuge and consist of 242 square miles not counting other designated and preserved area's that boarder the Tonto National Forest and wildlife refuge. With ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation story visit... There in awe when we saw it both RVs and tents, you can rent... For both RVs and tents, you can also rent a cabin for a more comfortable but still rustic.! The town once existed very good and its a fun atmosphere acres brutal. Apache Junction, Arizona less than an hour east of Phoenix, is famous for more than a... Just east of Phoenix, is famous for more than just a group of treasure hunters that we... 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