The name came from area farmers, who heard tales from the Pima Indians. 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. Depending on the season, you'll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. Theres more to this trip for us than it may seem. 9321 E . ~ The Lost Dutchmans Mine, Canyon Lake and the Wonders Under the Water The Lost Dutchmans Mine. When I say race, Im not kidding. We were heading out for the day and we were ready! For Sale: 9321 E Superstition Mountain Dr #50, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 $225,000 MLS# 6508119 Hurry on over and check this lot out! 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. They are roughly bounded by U.S. Route 60 on the south, Arizona State Route 88 on t. According to AZ Central, the standard version of the treasures history begins in the 1800s with the Peralta family. Your contact infoWe'll be in touch if we look into your question. What an awesome find! 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. 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. by Tiffany Owens | Posted on January 19, 2015. Besides the campsites for both RVs and tents, you can also rent a cabin for a more comfortable but still rustic experience. I knew that we would go far and do it together. 6109 N. Apache Trail This was one of my best trips yet! 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. TIM KRISTOF: That We hopped in the trucks and headed out as quickly as we could. To this day, youll find people who believe that a legendary gold mine lies hidden in these mountains, waiting to be found. In 2012 his vehicle, wallet, cellphone, and backpack were located but there had been no sign of the missing man. He would vanish into thin air for his efforts. The thing that happened next is very common for Treasures in Americas attitude towards things. federal government theyll say 'thats nice.' There can be all kinds of clues to be found and explored under the water e.g., possible man-made structures, old trail routes. Arizona > Superstition Mountains Highlights: Rough, rocky mountains east of Phoenix, covered by saguaro and other cacti, and split by many canyons. The Superstition Mountains (their name inspired by Pima Indian legends) have been a source of mystery and legend since early times. At four miles round trip, it takes you into the heart of the Superstitions, through vertical canyons and wildflower-filled meadows, and you might even see a waterfall, something you might not expect in the desert. What will we see and learn about today? However, within a few days, he vanished, never to be seen alive or heard from again. Dave! It was a job well done. Dave was so visibly excited and filled with energy, we decided to have a sit-down interview with him in hopes to capture his thoughts and excitement on film before heading out onto the lake. After we packed up the gear and hiked back down to the cars we decided to go to the famous Lost Dutchman Mine restaurant. In this case the body was found first, with the rest of the body following a full 6 months later. 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. 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. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. We had a hike scheduled for the day and we needed to secure our boat rental for the next day. Rumors of gold, silver and other minerals attracted miners to stake claims . An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. Even before the Dutchman story ever came about, and these things are right down our alley. Time will tell whether any of its great mysteries are ever solved. RODRIGUEZ: Its His body would later be found with a bullet hole to the head. Waltz would not have had . poppy wildflowers that is. Besides TravelAwaits, you can find her travel articles in Lonely Planet, Roadtrippers Magazine, Matador Network, and GoNOMAD, among other publications. to dozens of deaths in the Superstition E.g. Depending on the season, youll see not only gorgeous desert vegetation but also wildlife. The only thing that seems to remain consistent is the location-- somewhere in the Superstition Mountains in Arizona. 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. 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 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. Goldfield Ghost Town . Weve spent months preparing for this trip and I have spent years researching this area. The remains found in late November in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix have been identified as those of Jesse Capen . The Prime Rib was very good and its a fun atmosphere. 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 . After carefully scoping out the area, we headed down the road as there was so much to do and only so much daylight. 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. Trust at your own peril if you dare to tread into HISTORYs Legend of the Superstition Mountains. The saloon offers Western-style food and drinks, and if you visit on a weekend, you can even see a gunfight. Berardi, Joe. Many believe the Superstition Mountains Of all the Superstition Mountains hiking trails, Flat Iron can be the most demanding in the shortest distance, but also the most rewarding. It was a good challenge for them. 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. 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. Waltzs caregiver, a Julia Thomas, apparently listened to all of this but had no idea what to think of any of it. You dont have to rush to experience all that the Superstitions have to offer in one day. 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. The Superstition . He never found it, but he did establish something that came to be known as the Dons of Phoenix a name that honored the Spanish dons who explored the area in the 1600s. Time for bed boys. This was our first stop for the day. 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. 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) One of the best treasure tales in the history of the American West is the Lost Dutchman Mine. 4 groceries, 44 restaurants, 39 parks. After some time on the lake, we had located and made our way to our first area of interest. We all thanked him for his hospitality and for everything he did. 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. Wilderness. Come learn about the iconic birds of the Sonoran Desert under the shade of the Palo Verde ramada. 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. Mine. I knew we were about 1/2 of a mile away from the mines but the rock monuments needed to be researched and explored. The site is said to have been mined by a . MEMBERSHIP. Another reference told of a prospector who found 200 prehistoric war clubs in 1884 in the Arizona Superstition Mountains. 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. 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. 58 acre homesite in Superstition Mountain Golf & Country Club, the proud host of the LPGA Drive On Championship the week of March 20, 2023. More than a destructive force, fires promote growth and revitalization. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than half a mile up the trail. Skip this activity if you are claustrophobic. Theres still more, Todds interview at Goldfield, Ryans film at the Superstition Museum, and more. I felt proud of them! While hiking, you might meet people who are still searching for the gold mine supposedly discovered by Dutchman Jacob Waltz. Long before Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and grifter-socialite Anna Delvey, we had the Gold Rush and even today, plenty of Americans are still fixated on an either long-lost or fictional gold mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains.For more than a century, adventurous souls have sought the Lost Dutchman Mine, and since 1891 . $25.00 Yearly Superstition West Treasure Hunters meets in Apache Junction on the . says theres more than one mine in the Superstitions. KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College, and Maricopa Community Colleges August 16, 1896: George Carmack finds gold in the Yukon | History 101 impossible to find. When we all met back at the trucks, we had many stories to tell each other. 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. 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. Good job guys! Get the latest on your favorite shows, plus updates on HISTORY events and more. The area's history of ancient floods, pre-Columbian farming, boom and bust mining, stagecoach travel and 20th-century hydro power, is still evident today to the curious and informed. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. How might you and your family have benefited from their interest in promoting public lands? He explained to us how in some areas, he couldnt see more than a few feet in front of him. Petroglyphs at Hieroglyphic Canyon in the Superstition Mountains. Try this 4.3-mile loop trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. For more than a century, people locals and visitors have ventured into this part of Arizona 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. A group of modern day treasure hunters search for the Lost Dutchman mine in the Superstition mountain range of Arizona. That night, we sat around the campfire and planned out the next day. 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. The area is dotted with ancient cliff dwellings and caves, many showing signs of former habitation. We reachedCanyon Lake and we stood there in awe when we saw it. Todd wanted to pan for gold in the area with David, while Ryan filmed it. 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 KRISTOF: Its very I reached the spot but unfortunately, I only found a few clues to these prospect mines, but no mine dump or mine openings. Its highest point It was a good challenge for them. 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. Id like to rewind a bit to explain why were here so that you may understand a few things. Its very name derives from the mystery surrounding it. The Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. coyotes and black bears roaming the mountains. Next to the Grand Canyon, the Superstition Mountains are Arizona's most photographed landmark. He said the bars were all stamped with what appeared to be a crown. Moderate 4.6 (1800) Tonto National Forest. Although the speculation and uncertainty surrounding the validity of these stories does contribute a great deal to the mystery of the Superstition Mountains, the slew of disappearances and even deaths of those who have gone searching for its treasures adds a great deal of eeriness to it. The group of men and women, young and old, emphasized the importance of preserving the history of the legend and the mountains. have to understand how rugged it is and how vast it is. 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. 2,742 Sq. Legend 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. Superstition Mountains, Tonto National Forest In the 1930s, you might have seen Arthur Weber wandering around Peralta Canyon. For questions about programming, membership or anything else about KJZZ, please visit kjzz.org/contact. 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. 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. Apache Junction, AZ 85119, Walking with Wildflowers at Lost Dutchman, Music in Lost Dutchman State Park: Singer Songwriter Steve Holmquist, America's Greatest Idea: A Park Origins Story, Nature's Bounty - Discovering the Herbal Riches of the Desert, Music in Lost Dutchman State Park: Mark Fogelson, SUPERSTITION MOUNTAIN LEGENDS- LOST DUTCHMAN, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. Featuring desert plants with interpretive signs along the way, this trail acts as an introduction to the area. More experienced hikers should try the Siphon Draw Trail, the most scenic in the area. It was a fairly short hike, only 1 1/2 miles to the search area. 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. Yes, the famous Dutchman mine and its glory Legend is well known, but thats not exactly the real reason were here. Shaun, Antonio, and I wanted to press on to look for these mines/prospects, a few more miles away. Ft. 3060 S Primrose Ct, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118. It seemed to be a man-made meadow, flat like a work area for a mine perhaps. Were in Arizona! The mine's location remains a mystery to this day. This 2.5-mile-long trail is relatively flat and well developed. The curse of the treasure would continue in the 1940s, when a 62-year-old treasure hunter by the name of James A. 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