When we reached our destination area, we found an old abandoned ranch and it remains. Registration required! Along with the body was found a mysterious note ensconced within a bottle, which said that he had broken his leg and needed help, but which also stated that he had had managed to find the legendary Lost Dutchmans Mine. 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 treasure hunters alike that have spent years researching and studying this area. But, did you know that if you do find a gold mine youll never be able It took about 30 minutes to get to our first destination, Canyon Lake. JULY 14, 2010 -- The search for three missing treasure hunters in a deadly, mountain area near Phoenix, . 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. Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list. Length 4.3 miElevation gain 944 ftRoute type Loop. 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. Registration required. This trail will wind you through some amazing sights and scenes. In this case the body was found first, with the rest of the body following a full 6 months later. AZ Central then claims that throughout the course of their mining, the family mysteriously stumbled upon a treasure trove filled with copious amounts of gold ore. Then, shortly following the Mexican War, all but one member of the Peralta family is believed to have been murdered by Apache warriors, a group of Native American tribes. More experienced hikers should try the Siphon Draw Trail, the most scenic in the area. Ft. 3060 S Primrose Ct, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118. Thousands have searched, some have died, all in pursuit of one thing: treasure. More than a destructive force, fires promote growth and revitalization. We dont know if we were in the right place. I kept saying, Pretty soon guys, its coming up here. 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. 4 groceries, 44 restaurants, 39 parks. Take a guided tour of the gold mine, the reason the town once existed. Meet in the Saguaro day use area to learn how to distinguish between birds and seek out hawks to hummingbirds all throughout the trail! 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. 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. 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.. If this were true, it would substantiate the allegation. 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. All Rights Reserved. NADINE . 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. They began extracting the gold ore from the site, eventually attracting attention from the community. Then in 1984 to discourage treasure hunters from going in there the federal government passed a law forbidding. When we all met back at the trucks, we had many stories to tell each other. 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. 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 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. All Rights Reserved. The saloon offers Western-style food and drinks, and if you visit on a weekend, you can even see a gunfight. Who killed him and then separated his head from his body remains unknown. Heres our story. As to why his head had been carried off no one knows. Having abandoned modern civilization to live with the tribe for several years, the Apache people wanted to thank the doctor for the medical attention that he had provided to them. Todd,Antonio,andIwere in one truck, whileShaun, David, andRyan were in the other. 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 . This 1-1.5 mile hike is a nature-lovers dream! I felt something shaking my legs as my eyes slowly started toopen. The Superstition Mountains, with a name like that you might as well give away fancy proton-backs, of the Ghostbuster variety, at the visitor's center, is a series of jagger tooth mountains in Arizona just the east of Phoenix. We reachedCanyon Lake and we stood there in awe when we saw 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! 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. haunted. The thing that happened next is very common for Treasures in Americas attitude towards things. . Don Miguel Peralta discovered the mine in 1845. There seemed to be some kind of a school outing or a fundraiser going on. We have a lot to do tomorrow. ~ The Lost Dutchmans Mine. 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. Lost Dutchmans Mine, here we come! We had rented a boat and Dave was preparing to go diving in the lake to look for clues and lost history. We go to get a good idea of what we are up against for the next time. RODRIGUEZ: Tim Kristof is an Arizona Park Ranger stationed at Lost Dutchman How many parks have you been to? 2023 Treasures in America. Let me push pause here for a minute. We did it, were here boys, I said. 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. Rocky terrain and a change in elevation make this trail hard for most people. . I felt proud of myself! Stroll through the native plant garden or challenge yourself to reach the Flatiron, Lost Dutchman State Park has trails to suit any hiking enthusiast. He'd go out there looking for the mother lode. Todd, Ryan, Shaun, and I were the first to meet up. Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser-Alexander / Legends of America, updated July 2021. Antonio was in Courts truck and one trailer and Shaun hooked up the other trailer to his truck and we were on our way. 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. Its highest point 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. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. KRISTOF: Technically you We searched around the area, leaving no stone unturned. Where am I? miners, as well as Spanish settlers, and Native Americans who lived in the We hopped in the trucks and headed out as quickly as we could. Superstition West Treasure Hunters Elk's Lodge 2455 N. Apache Trail Apache Junction, AZ 85119 www.superstitiontreasure.com. Outside the main building, visit a gold mill, the Apacheland Barn, and old Western storefronts. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 13 min to complete. We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. 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. It was at this point that the tale of the Dutchmans Mine was spun. If you appreciate native flora, join a ranger as they guide you on an easy going and informative hike highlighting some of the Sonoran Desert's staple (and seasonal!) El sendero es de 1.5 millas con terreno rocoso, pero sin mucha cambia de elevacin. unique features like the Weavers Needle stand at 4,000 feet. An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. from simple to very rugged. We made a few stops along the way to do a little sightseeing and to fill our stomachs. 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. looking to find one of the oldest legends: a gold mine. 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! The curse of the treasure would continue in the 1940s, when a 62-year-old treasure hunter by the name of James A. Carvey journeyed into the Superstition Mountains and also ended up dead and with his head separated from his shoulders. 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. Join MU Plus+ and get exclusive shows and extensions & much more! NASA's Photos From Mars: Don't Tell Me the Red Planet Wasn't Once a Thriving World! The location is generally believed to be in the Superstition Mountains, near Apache Junction, east of Phoenix, Arizona. Now I do enjoy talking about the LDM and Dr. Thorne, but I always wondered about the lost dragoon pistols. I could hear the rest of the crew talking about how beautiful the sunrise was and I didnt want to miss out. Many come for Almost everyone either knows or has heard of the Lost Dutchman Mine. Praying Hands to Slot Rock. 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. Interestingly it was found that he had amassed a small fortune in a short amount of time after starting his forays into the mountains, urging suspicions that he had found the lost mine. After carefully scoping out the area, we headed down the road as there was so much to do and only so much daylight. Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. 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. 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. There were also strange stories among the Apache of a magnificent, hidden cavern full of gold, said to be a vast treasure long buried within the mountains and protected by spirits, troll-like beasts called Tuar-Tums, and even their Thunder God himself. There have been countless such deaths and disappearances in the region over the years, many of them with missing heads or gunshot wounds to the head. Roosevelt, AZ. We arrived at Shauns house at 7:30 am in St. George Utah. 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. ARROYO RODRIGUEZ: The Superstition Mountains are one of the most visited locations in Arizona. 3 Beds. 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. This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. The Lost Dutchman gold mine of the Superstition Mountains. 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. They are anchored by Superstition Mountain, a large mountain that is a popular recreation destination for residents of the Phoenix, Arizona, area. 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. Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. 8. No suspects or motive were ever found. 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. At this point, we split into two separate trucks and we were on our way to Apache Junction, looking for the Lost Dutchman Mine. We had a 7-hour drive ahead of us and we wanted to start early. Good job guys! KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College, and Maricopa Community Colleges Want to learn more about the stars and planets? 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. There are unique shops, a saloon and a general store. We met up with Shaun and the rest of the group and they were set up and ready to climb. I do enjoy "Mysteries of the Superstition Mountain" episodes. After we packed up the gear and hiked back down to the cars we decided to go to the famous Lost Dutchman Mine restaurant. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. Places. The Superstition Mountains (their name inspired by Pima Indian legends) have been a source of mystery and legend since early times. 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. 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. Enjoy a live musical performance in the park by singer and songwriter Mark Fogelson. Yet the mountains and their cursed treasure would get their most well-known mystery with the arrival of a German immigrant named Jacob Walz, also often spelled Waltz, who was a gold prospector in the Phoenix valley in the late 1800s. Treasures In America spent several months researching and planning this trip. 2,742 Sq. claimed he found the gold in the Superstitions that had been run by some Join us on a journey to discover the birds of the Sonoran Desert! Featuring desert plants with interpretive signs along the way, this trail acts as an introduction to the area. Subscribe Today! The Apache Trail is a 40-mile circular route right through the Superstition Mountains. ARROYO 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. 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