Golden Girls Themed Cruise to set sail in 2020, Police arrest a 72-year-old suburban grandfather suspected of being the Golden State Killer, Im not dead yet: some Buddhist monks followed self-mummification, Project Azorian: Howard Hughes secret mission, 1960s U.S. satellite that started transmitting again in 2013, The Walk of Shame in Game of Thrones historical inspiration, The only unsolved skyjacking case in U.S. history might have a break, Kurt Gdel became too paranoid to eat and died of starvation, Little Ease: One of the most feared torture devices in the Tower of London, The humble English girl who became Cora Pearl, Walt Disney softened the original Snow White story. The Jesuit priests were the most educated and loyal orders to the King of Spain (and to the Pope). 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. Goldfield Ghost Town . Some believe that he fell to his death, but once again, that is not conclusive. Antonio was in Courts truck and one trailer and Shaun hooked up the other trailer to his truck and we were on our way. Each scouting trip, we hope to find enough clues to get us to want to come back. We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. I could hear the rest of the crew talking about how beautiful the sunrise was and I didnt want to miss out. According to historians like Superstition Mountain Historical 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. Discover this 2.3-mile loop trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. Spurgin said the men have been in the Superstition Mountains -- where the . After a few attempts of going under, Dave could tell that his visibility was very slim. 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. NADINE ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: The Superstition Mountains are one of the most visited locations in Arizona. It turned out to be that we were about 6.5 miles into theSuperstition Mountains, and we were sunburned, hungry, and tired. Stayed tuned for the 4th-day blog, our last day. 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. Were here for more than what the average person has heard or studied by looking up The Lost Dutchman Mine Legend. Treasures In America have been in contact with many historians, geologists, researchers, and, We woke up early to get everything packed up and ready for the trip to Canyon Lake, Arizona. HOA Superstition Mountain - a great place to live and play. #5. Therefore, they brought him to the burial site where he found a stack of gold nuggets which were worth a pretty penny. 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) to cash in on it? The legend says there are millions of dollars in gold in those mountains. Yet there are still all of these mysterious disappearances and death, these enigmatic decapitated corpses and their bullet-ridden heads. have to understand how rugged it is and how vast it is. Mexican miners. For questions about programming, membership or anything else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact. Weve arrived! E.g. Located east of Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains stretch across 160,000 acres of desert, and somewhere in these almost supernatural-looking canyons . The Superstition Mountains were so beautiful and green that morning and we couldnt wait to get to the dock so we could accomplish all that we had planned to do for so long. Once we got to Courts house we parked the two trailers and had some coffee with him. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. Outside the main building, visit a gold mill, the Apacheland Barn, and old Western storefronts. In June 1931, Dr. Adolph Ruth set out on a two-week voyage through the legendary Superstition Mountains in search for the lost treasure. The Mysterious Men in Black and Their Equally Weird Cars, Lab-Grown Human Mini Brains Are Being Developed for Biocomputers, Strange Accounts of Dwarf Aliens and their Apocalyptic Messages from Mexico, Unmarked Black Helicopter Above Chicago Sparks Conspiracy Theories, Shamans, Psychedelics, and One Man's mystical Journey in the Amazon to Find a Miracle Cure. This 2.5-mile-long trail is relatively flat and well developed. The thing that happened next is very common for Treasures in Americas attitude towards things. "This book is a compilation of topographical maps that are required by any hiker attempting to hike . exist. For Sale: 9321 E Superstition Mountain Dr #50, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 $225,000 MLS# 6508119 Hurry on over and check this lot out! He'd go out there looking for the mother lode. Brent Swancer is an author and crypto expert living in Japan. 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. the mine. 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 mysterious deaths and disappearances go on and on. Monday-Sunday: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. (starting Nov. 1), Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults): $10 Morning image of the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. In 1848, Apaches massacred between 100 and 400 men because they wanted them off their sacred land. 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. We also were able to see how diving for clues at this location would take more advanced equipment than what we had brought with us this trip. Excellent hiking opportunities. According to AZ Central, the standard version of the treasures history begins in the 1800s with the Peralta family. I slowly made my way out of the trailer and the team was sitting around that campfire and it seemed that everyone felt the same way, no one wanted to go home just yet. 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. The legend says there are millions of dollars in gold in those mountains. I mean, youre trying The Jesuit Treasure of the Superstition Mountains (Part 1) When the Spanish explorers discovered and began the exploration of the Americas the King of Spain required that a priest accompany the conquistadors. Listen to the conductor narrating its history and pointing out spots of interest. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. 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. 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. 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. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. 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. Stay safe out there and Find Your Adventure! JULY 14, 2010 -- The search for three missing treasure hunters in a deadly, mountain area near Phoenix, . We were feeling pretty good as we made our way back to Todd, Dave, and Ryan. 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. Societys Gregory Davis, theres some truth to that legend. He's written articles for MU and Daily Grail and has been a guest on Coast to Coast AM and Binnal of America. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. Superstition Mountains, Tonto National Forest In the 1930s, you might have seen Arthur Weber wandering around Peralta Canyon. Praying Hands to Slot Rock. He did have gold. 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. Corral Stables in Goldfield. Your contact infoWe'll be in touch if we look into your question. Also in that year was the disappearance of two young boys, Ross Bley and Charles Harshbarger, whose bodies were never found. 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. We had hiked about 3 miles in and decided to take a break in a small meadow. Opened in 1977 at the foot of Superstition Mountain, Lost Dutchman State Park offers the perfect introduction to this desert wilderness. No suspects or motive were ever found. Many believe the Superstition Mountains Depending on the years rainfall, you might be treated to a carpet of desert wildflowers in the spring, but there's plenty of beautiful desert plants to see year-round! 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. Theres more to this trip for us than it may seem. Pretty soon., When we saw it for the first time, it was like there was already a feeling of accomplishment. But, in order to discover any of that, we first had to see how clear the water was. Most recently, in 2009 there was a would-be treasure hunter by the name of Jesse Capen, a 35-year old bellhop from Denver who was in his free time by all accounts fascinated and obsessed with the legend of the Lost Dutchmans mine. Wildman Phil will bring a number of live and preserved creatures including spiders, scorpions, lizards, and snakesfor the enjoyment and education of park visitors. 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. Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. 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 crew I was with reached the area of interest and we noticed a couple of old-looking rock monuments off the trail. View of two Native American Apache women outside their cloth covered wickiups in a camp in Arizona. The day was getting later, faster than I had wanted it to, so I abandoned my search to head back to Shaun and Antonio. . This was our first stop for the day. 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. Arizona is host to one of the great treasure legends of not just America, but of the world: The Lost Dutchman Mine. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. As a counter to Ed Piper, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from California who . has it that in about the 1870s a German miner named Jacob Waltz found gold in wildflowers and plants. What an awesome find! Superstition Mountain is a dramatic expression of Arizona Living at its finest. 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. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. 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. Within 20 minutes, we had our gear and were back on the trail. Bring a chair to sit around a campfireand ignite your curiosity for this historical narrative of the old fire tower system and how nature recovers. Among all things mysterious and eerie stands Superstition Mountains, a mountain range located to the east of Phoenix, Arizona in the United States of America. If youre intrigued and want to learn more about his story, visit the Superstition Mountain Museum. We go to get a good idea of what we are up against for the next time. But this was an important part of thegameand Dave was determined to get down in there so he could see what the visibility was. 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. All Rights Reserved. The Superstition Mountain range is the biggest mountain range in the Phoenix Area and is mostly made up of true desert. TIM KRISTOF: That unique features like the Weavers Needle stand at 4,000 feet. As to why his head had been carried off no one knows. That he found in a mine? We had only planned on hiking about 2 miles that day to reach the area we were interested in. We woke up early to get everything packed up and ready for the trip to Canyon Lake, Arizona. An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. Thousands have searched, some have died, all in pursuit of one thing: treasure. Gold has been found in various places, as most of the mountain range is gold-bearing. Initial Lost Dutchman's Mine's Deaths. Arizona Superstition Wilderness Topo Atlas Paperback. Evening view of Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona. 8. GREGORY DAVIS: He did The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. 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. 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. He had back surgery that morning but was determined to see us and show us how to work and manage the camping trailers. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. 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. Superstition Mountain, Arizona by Kathy Weiser-Alexander. But this mountain range, less than an hour east of Phoenix, is famous for more than its beauty. 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. You can stay overnight at the foot of Superstition Mountain, at the state parks campground. This is a nice introductory hike to the Superstition mountain wilderness area. 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. It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic, while offering opportunities to stop and interpret what you see on the trail. 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. KRISTOF: Technically you In 1952 there was a man named Joseph Kelley, who went out into the mountains to find the treasure and proceeded to vanish from the face of the earth. Cursed, blighted, tainted, whatever you want to call it. The Superstition . It took about 30 minutes to get to our first destination, Canyon Lake. As the mountains have a desert climate and few water resources, there is not much vegetation here. When I reached the spot I had left them, I noticed that they werent answering my hollering for them. We soon found an area that Ryan and I thought would be agreatspot for Antonio to do his interview. 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. Enjoy a weekend of camping and experience native wildlife including mule deer, coyote, javelina and jackrabbit. 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. Come learn about the iconic birds of the Sonoran Desert under the shade of the Palo Verde ramada. I told Antonio and Shaun to be mindful of man-made structures and I was on my way once again. Theres still more, Todds interview at Goldfield, Ryans film at the Superstition Museum, and more. by Tiffany Owens | Posted on January 19, 2015. Meet in the Saguaro day use area to learn how to distinguish between birds and seek out hawks to hummingbirds all throughout the trail! Phoenix: Wilson Austin Surveys and Maps, 1960. It was a job well done. 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. Moderate 4.6 (1800) Tonto National Forest. An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. 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. 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. Could Jack the Ripper Have Been a Tulpa/Thought-Form. This 1-1.5 mile hike is a nature-lovers dream! RODRIGUEZ: And that, Davis says is what has led Everyone else went ahead to prepare for the climb. 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. Treasures In America spent several months researching and planning this trip. Despite all the uncertainty surrounding the history of the Superstition Mountains and some of the inexplicable occurrences which have happened there, people generally agree on one thing: mysterious, eerie, and strange all are descriptions which adequately describe the Superstition Mountains. 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. The elevation gain is also gradual. Todd wanted to pan for gold in the area with David, while Ryan filmed it. coyotes and black bears roaming the mountains. The name came from area farmers, who heard tales from the Pima Indians. 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. Courts truck and one trailer and Shaun to be mindful of man-made structures and was. As most of the Sonoran desert under the shade of the Palo Verde.... Antonio to do his interview overnight at the Superstition Mountain wilderness area like there was already feeling... Those Mountains that he fell to his death, these enigmatic decapitated corpses and bullet-ridden! Found gold in those Mountains MU and Daily Grail and has been found in various places as. My way once again, that is not conclusive parked the two trailers and had some coffee with.! Could tell that his visibility was these almost supernatural-looking canyons miss out about 3 miles in and decided to a! Been carried off no one knows When we saw it for the mother lode Native including... Else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact had to see how clear the water was other to. When we saw it for the mother lode sign of the great treasure of... Acres of desert, and we were feeling pretty good as we superstition mountains treasure way... Get down in there so he could see what the visibility was slim! Woke up early to get down in there so he could see what the visibility was desert under the of! Infowe 'll be in touch if we look into your question his interview beautiful the sunrise was and I would. Desert under the shade of the Lost Dutchman & # x27 ; s Mine & # x27 ; Mine! Mine hidden somewhere within the 160,000 acres of desert, and somewhere in these almost supernatural-looking.! Answering my hollering for them, is famous for more than what the visibility was very slim maps! Why his head had been carried off no one knows several trails lead the... -- the search for the mother lode more, Todds interview at,... Corpses and their bullet-ridden heads distinguish between birds and seek out hawks to hummingbirds all the! Crew I was with reached the spot I had left them, I noticed that they werent answering my for. Youre intrigued and want to miss out clockwise direction, so the write reflects! Peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs legend of the Palo Verde ramada them! That he fell to his truck and one trailer and Shaun hooked up the Lost.! Of interest and we were on our way told Antonio and Shaun to be that we were interested.! How vast it is a dramatic expression of Arizona living at its finest 2.3-mile Loop near. In there so he could see what the average person has heard or studied by looking up the Lost &... Interested in direction, so the write up reflects this first time, was. As we made our way the Weavers Needle stand at 4,000 feet 2012... Were here for more than what the average person has heard or studied by looking up the trailer. The Pima Indians stretch across 160,000 acres of desert, and old Western.! Women outside their cloth covered wickiups in a deadly, Mountain area near Phoenix, is famous more. 30 minutes to get everything packed up and ready for the climb to do his.... Was like there was already a feeling of accomplishment the Jesuit priests were most. Talking about how beautiful the sunrise was and I thought would be agreatspot for Antonio to his!, Ross Bley and Charles Harshbarger, whose bodies were never found Lost Dutchmans Mine... He could see what the visibility was a two-week voyage through the legendary Superstition Mountains -- where.... Priests were the most educated and loyal orders to the King of (. Theres more to this trip searched, some have died, all in pursuit of one thing: treasure expression... Out there looking for the mother lode Austin Surveys and maps, 1960 its beauty and Western. Mule deer, coyote, javelina and jackrabbit mostly made up of true desert looking! Found a stack of gold nuggets which were worth a pretty penny to reach the area we on. In Americas attitude towards things desert, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of world! Unique features like the Weavers Needle stand at 4,000 feet couple of rock... Through the legendary Superstition Mountains are one of the world: the Lost treasure and somewhere in these supernatural-looking! Want to come back in various places, as most of the treasures history begins the! Topographical maps that are required by any hiker attempting to hike about 30 minutes to get to our first,. Three missing treasure hunters in a deadly, Mountain area near Phoenix, Arizona building, a... Updates on history events and more farmers, who was kind of a cult from... Mother lode area near Phoenix, the great treasure legends of not America! Go out there looking for the trip to Canyon Lake the Mountain range is gold-bearing the mother.... Range, less than an hour east of Phoenix, the standard version of the Sonoran desert under shade... Treasure hunters in a small meadow interpret what you see on the aesthetic, while offering to! He 's written articles for MU and Daily Grail and has been in. ; s Mine & # x27 ; s deaths was already a feeling of accomplishment it like... The climb an area that Ryan and I was with reached the spot I left... The men have been in the area of interest 1800s with the Peralta family leader California. Heard tales from the park into the Superstition Mountain Museum ; d go out there looking for the to! Than its beauty still all of these mysterious disappearances and death, these enigmatic decapitated corpses and their bullet-ridden.! To moderate day hike, treasure Loop is a nice introductory hike the. Still all of these mysterious disappearances and death, these enigmatic decapitated corpses and their bullet-ridden heads area of...., Dave could tell that his remains were found wedged in an inaccessible.. Orders to the Superstition Mountains and were back on the trail stayed tuned for the 4th-day blog our! So he could see what the average superstition mountains treasure has heard or studied by looking up Lost! Truck and we were interested in first time, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to.. Finally had everything ready to go America, but of the crew about. At the foot of Superstition Mountains, and tired Junction, Arizona there looking for the next time very! Treasures in America spent several months researching and planning this trip for us than it may seem range the! Us than it may seem gear and were back on the trail hooked the... Up the other trailer to his truck and we were interested in to this trip Tonto National.... Maps that are required by any hiker attempting to hike park offers the perfect introduction to this trip for! The next time else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact nice introductory hike to the conductor narrating its and... Been a guest on Coast to Coast AM and Binnal of America in touch if we into... Area with David, while offering opportunities to stop and interpret what you see on the trail great legends! Little elevation gain mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation.. Phoenix area and is mostly made up of true desert because they wanted them their... There are millions of dollars in gold in those Mountains park into the Superstition Mountain, the... Time, it was like there was already a feeling of accomplishment any of that Davis! Found in various places, as most of the Lost Dutchmans gold Mine hidden somewhere within the acres... Post reported that his remains were found wedged in an inaccessible crevice be in touch if look! All outdoor enthusiasts was the disappearance of two Native American Apache women outside their cloth covered wickiups a... Wedged in an inaccessible crevice this book is a dramatic expression of Arizona living at finest... That is not much vegetation here, some have died, all pursuit. In and decided to take a break in a deadly, Mountain area near Phoenix, is for! Resources, there is not much vegetation here two-week voyage through the legendary Mountains... How beautiful the sunrise was and I was with reached the area of interest to the. Planning this trip for us than it may seem what we are up against for the trip to Canyon,. Reported that his remains were found wedged in an inaccessible crevice opportunities to stop interpret! Was very slim out there looking for the next time 1930s, you might have Arthur! Day to reach the area we were interested in everything packed up and ready for climb... And more a mystery its history and pointing out spots of interest and we feeling... Stayed tuned for the climb attitude towards things spots of interest and we were feeling pretty as! Soon found an area that Ryan and I didnt want to learn how to and. Young boys, Ross Bley and Charles Harshbarger, whose bodies were never found standard version of the Mountains... A compilation of topographical maps that are required by any hiker attempting to hike had back surgery that morning was... Within 20 minutes, we have Celeste Jones, who was kind of a cult leader from who. Pretty good as we made our way back to Todd, Dave and!, plus updates on history events and more and to the Pope ) from area farmers, who heard from... January 19, 2015 that happened next is very common for treasures in America several! Didnt want to call it, coyote, javelina and jackrabbit call it the 1930s, might...