What is the curse of Superstition Mountain? Rocky terrain and a change in elevation make this trail hard for most people. When I reached the spot I had left them, I noticed that they werent answering my hollering for them. 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 . There we met up with Antonio and made our way down to pick up Dave in Logandale, Nevada. Excellent hiking opportunities. What an awesome find! Between Ryans filming gear and Daves scuba equipment, it seemed like there was tons of equipment to unload. However, within a few days, he vanished, never to be seen alive or heard from again. 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. 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. Registration is required! When we arrived at the lake, we went straight to the boat rental shop to pay for our boat. 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. As to why his head had been carried off no one knows. The crew I was with reached the area of interest and we noticed a couple of old-looking rock monuments off the trail. Let me push pause here for a minute. poppy wildflowers that is. He'd go out there looking for the mother lode. It was a job well done. 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. In 1905, the trail was officially designated as an aid for the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, with Apache Junction at one end, and Theodore Roosevelt Lake at the other. ARROYO It also means that you will rarely have access to water sources or shade. 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. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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. We all thanked him for his hospitality and for everything he did. Many believe the Superstition Mountains are filled with treasures. Wilderness. A month later the rest of the body was found about three-quarters of a mile away, with severely broken legs, and it was supposed that he had fallen and then after his grievous injuries died of starvation and the elements. Another reference told of a prospector who found 200 prehistoric war clubs in 1884 in the Arizona Superstition Mountains. 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. 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. 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 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. With 134 sites with picnic tables, barbeque grills, and fire pits, Lost Dutchman State Park is an ideal place to escape the city and enjoy the desert scenery. A deeper dive - Related reading from the 101. If youre intrigued and want to learn more about his story, visit the Superstition Mountain Museum. Covered by all varieties of cacti on lower elevations, they burst with color in the spring, when wildflowers bloom. It is said to be one of the most famous treasures in America. During that time, the rest of the team transferred all the gear from the truck to the docks. Did Ellis Island Really Change Peoples Names? Is someone or something trying to keep this treasure hidden? 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. This area is truly a beautiful place, one for the record. 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. We want to inspire you to explore new destinations, discover new experiences and savor the journey. The Superstition Mountains, as the name implies, are shrouded in legends and myth. RODRIGUEZ: Tim Kristof is an Arizona Park Ranger stationed at Lost Dutchman For the last 150 years, people have risked their lives to go in search of Arizona's lost gold, silver and other buried treasures. Treasures In America spent several months researching and planning this trip. Then his body would finally be found wedged into a remote and inaccessible crevice, with the official cause of death a mystery. There seemed to be some kind of a school outing or a fundraiser going on. August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101 How might you and your family have benefited from their interest in promoting public lands? The remains found in late November in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix have been identified as those of Jesse Capen . Within 20 minutes, we had our gear and were back on the trail. This area is believed to contain the richest gold mine in the world. Subscribe Today! It started out as an exciting day for us all on February 25th, 2016. 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. It takes you on a walk at the foot of Superstition Mountain, the namesake of the mountain range. "This book is a compilation of topographical maps that are required by any hiker attempting to hike . He was then led along a harsh, meandering route of an estimated 20 miles, after which they removed the blindfold and he was met with the sight of a pile of gold sparkling in the sun near an entrance into the presumed lost mine. KRISTOF: Its very Next to the Grand Canyon, the Superstition Mountains are Arizona's most photographed landmark. Moderate 4.6 (1800) Tonto National Forest. 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. Of all the Superstition Mountains hiking trails, Flat Iron can be the most demanding in the shortest distance, but also the most rewarding. He said the bars were all stamped with what appeared to be a crown. Length 4.3 miElevation gain 944 ftRoute type Loop. 2023 Treasures in America. 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. Legend 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. 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. There can be all kinds of clues to be found and explored under the water e.g., possible man-made structures, old trail routes, treasure symbols, and much more. Shaun, Antonio, and I wanted to press on to look for these mines/prospects, a few more miles away. has it that in about the 1870s a German miner named Jacob Waltz found gold in Court only lived about 12 miles away. RODRIGUEZ: Davis Like Ive mentioned before, we had spent several months on the web and reaching out to people to narrow down a small search area so we were pretty confident we were in the area we wanted to be. Thousands have searched, some have died, all in pursuit of one thing: treasure. are filled with treasures. Don Miguel Peralta discovered the mine in 1845. Biology, nature, and cryptozoology still remain Brent Swancers first intellectual loves. Local singer, guitarist, & songwriter from Copper Country will be performing all original stories and songs focusing on our local areas, animals, and characters. mountain draws people. Members of Liberty Wildlife will be showing birds and desert critters that are out and about at this time of year and discussing their habitat. 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. The Peralta family would go on to be suspected of having left some evidence behind of their discovery in the form of a series of odd stones mysteriously etched with codes, pictograms, and cryptic messages written out in imperfect Latin, which are said to hold the key to finding the treasure and which have been dubbed the Peralta Stones. These stones were allegedly written up by the family shortly before their massacre and left behind by Apaches who did not know their true meaning and so left them to rot away in the sun. The name came from area farmers, who heard tales from the Pima Indians. They would be uncovered in the 1940s, but whether there is any truth to this story is anyones guess. I looked at a few of the pics they had shown me and we were able to pinpoint the area with our GPS. 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. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. Todd, Ryan, Shaun, and I were the first to meet up. And you couldnt do anything about Will We Ever Be Able to Sleep Our Way to the Stars? It is a ranger-guided hike focusing on the aesthetic, while offering opportunities to stop and interpret what you see on the trail. Goldfield Ghost Town . Outside the main building, visit a gold mill, the Apacheland Barn, and old Western storefronts. Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. Corral Stables in Goldfield. As I was coming to, I could hear him again on the other side of the trailer waking up Shaun with the same line. 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. It seemed to be a man-made meadow, flat like a work area for a mine perhaps. It now contains approximately 160,200 acres. Please join us as we dive into the geologic past and bring you into the future. Good job guys! 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.. Spurgin said the men have been in the Superstition Mountains -- where the . Evening view of Superstition Mountains near Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Well pack and clean up and bring him his trailers. The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. Where am I? We stopped by the closest gas station to buy some coffee and drinks along with a few snacks for the journey. There are unique shops, a saloon and a general store. It was a fairly short hike, only 1 1/2 miles to the search area. Once we were on the way home all the team members were very excited about the trip. The main thing is that they supposedly accidentally found this ancient Apache treasure somewhere in the mountains, but it was to spell their doom. 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. it. He explained to us how in some areas, he couldnt see more than a few feet in front of him. 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 Apache Trail is a 40-mile circular route right through the Superstition Mountains. 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. Since 1880 records show many have died or disappeared. We spent at least 2 hours looking and we had had no luck, not a clue! Day Use Gates are closed and locked from 8 p.m.- 6 a.m. daily. I jumped out of bed, had a good stretch to shake off the night and I quickly got dressed and headed outside. 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. 2,742 Sq. With cursed mountains said to drive men mad and a hidden fortune of gold worth killing for, the treasure hunters greatest danger may be the man at his side. . 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. We made a few stops along the way to do a little sightseeing and to fill our stomachs. TIM KRISTOF: That 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. Each scouting trip, we hope to find enough clues to get us to want to come back. Personal photo permitscan be filled out at the park the same day. We searched around the area, leaving no stone unturned. It was a good challenge for them. Mine. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. Yampa Valley Steve (Steve Jones), a singer-songwriter, will entertain you at Lost Dutchman State Park. The dump station and showers are closed to anyone not camping at the park. 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. However, the doctor did not know the path to the place as he was blindfolded by those accompanying him. Sign up to get adventurous offers and the latest news on Treasure Hunting! Roosevelt, AZ. How many parks have you been to? I do enjoy "Mysteries of the Superstition Mountain" episodes. Many come for 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. Facilities: Restrooms Fee/Permit: No Hieroglyphic Trail on AllTrails Weve spent months preparing for this trip and I have spent years researching this area. 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. 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. The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. 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. I kept saying, Pretty soon guys, its coming up here. 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. If this were true, it would substantiate the allegation. Photos (4,320) Directions. exist. Parks near 9321 E Superstition Mountain Dr #50 include Silly Mountain Park, Mesa / Apache Junction KOA Journey, and Lost Dutchman State Park. Subscribe for only $12 per month. 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. Stopped by the closest gas station to buy some coffee and drinks along with a few for! 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