The Flat Iron in the Superstition Mountains as seen from the Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona, USA. high on a stony wall near where the stone map would appear to lead, but I suspected that this is typical of the kinds of possibilities your mind invents in a search for the Lost Dutchmans Mine. I also found that the side of the stone with the word "DON" on it and the reverse side of the heart stone had not been altered, and the images offered no apparent useful information. by gollum Thu Sep 02, 2010 7:04 am, Post That cave, however, might serve as a landmark for the Lost Dutchman. Giant boulders covered the ground, but there was not much brush or cacti, so it was a little easier walking on this side. Dan Welch, a mining engineer, after 15 years of searching and examining historical clues, has found the Lost Dutchman Mine near the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Both canyons were almost impassable because of brush and boulders. [Online]Available at: http://www.truewestmagazine.com/has-the-lost-dutchman-mine-been-found/. The second place appeared to fit the map! A stone face appears where you turn off the main trail or two hundred yards directly across the small canyon from the mine. You must log in or register to reply here. Some believe they hid away their records of mines, treasures and ore deposits before leaving the country. Francisco Vasquez de Coronado Rocky at first but a nice runnable trail, and after the first 1.5 miles no one on the trail. I wouldnt fall for that. [Online]Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2240620/Lost-Dutchmans-gold-Body-man-years-went-hunt-legend-Arizona-mountains.html, Bremner, L., 22016. Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods. Read More. There was little room to maneuver. Aside from the rickety ladder there is the issue of two things, having the proper gear to enter this kind of environment, like a respirator, clothing, and then not disturbing the bats. There is evidence of a skirmish between the Spaniards and the Apaches at the area of the said massacre. Along the route is the ghost town of Goldfield and Lost Dutchman State Park, located at the foot of the imposing Superstition Mountains. I looked for some kind of possible trail marker and could find none. The Lost Dutchman Mine, Arizona - Legends of America Fearing for his own life, Waltz took as much gold as he could carry, covered everything up, and returned to Phoenix. I knew that there had to be some way to reach the ledge. etex Bronze Member Feb 20, 2013 1,166 2,066 Longview, Texas Backgrounds by Niz.co/ A second stone, called the "Horse Map Stone," shows the image of the horse, beautifully incised, and brief comments in Spanish. The ledge was shaped like a backward comma with the round part about one hundred yards across, the tail was about 20 feet wide. I didnt want to continue a wild goose chase, but for some reason, I agreed to go. Source: Craig Zerbe /Adobe Stock, Boyle, L., 2012. If they paid Sonny to pack them in, then he did okay. A few silver mines in the area were at one time were quite productive but very little gold. Parking can be a challenge, Permit Required, Petrified Forest National Part and North Eastern AZ, Marcus Landslide Trail (Scottsdale Sonoran Preserve), Box Canyon (Christopher Creek- *Technical), San Tan Regional Park - San Tan trail loops, Petrified Forest National Park and North Eastern AZ. Sign up for Legend of the Superstition Mountains email updates:http://www.history.com/emails/sign-up\"Legend of the Superstition MountainsSeason 1Episode 6The ClimbHISTORY, now reaching more than 98 million homes, is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive, and entertaining manner across all platforms. The Broadway Trailhead and the Jacobs Crosscut Trail is used to access the cave. It seems that he never returned to the mine, and he died in 1892. In the late 1700s, after a falling out, the King ordered the Jesuits out of Mexico. The Bat Cave Superstition Mountains Arizona. Omg.the gold is behind the cross on the wall. 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There arent many straight people in the entire town. Lost Dutchman Mine clues Red Cross - Helsinki-Uusimaa | Helsinki - Facebook Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The hike to Broadway Cave reinforces Arizona's best qualities: that everything is out there to try to kill you (sharp jagged rocks, plants, animals, the sun). Reading about the cross on the back wall of the cave, I would have removed it or took a pick and sledge hammer to the back wall and see if it was a false room, but being there would be someone's estimated $200,000,000 in gold someone made up, I could care less and I would have gotten it out of there if it was in there if I found it! Now all we had to do was dig, and we would surely find one of the richest and most hunted treasures in the worldthe Lost Dutchmans Gold Mine, secreted in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. On inspection, I found that the caves floor had two manmade holes that would hold about three gallons of water each, and if walled in, the cave could serve as a fortress. Not super hard. The pea-sized pebbles that rolled underfoot were everywhere. Plague, one of the deadliest diseases in human history, has a haunting legacy of mass sickness and destruction. One of the stones, sometimes called the "Priest Map Stone," shows an image of a priest (or a witch) with a cross next to a few brief sentences in Spanish with misspellings. Finally, I did discover a boulder that would serve as a bridge to the trail which would lead to the end of the point, just where I believed I wanted to be. During this time, I realized the map had been carved on the stones not once, but twice, by two different people. When I reached the other side, I found that I was 20 feet too low. Stay left here (JCT_1L on the map) to head towards the Wave Cave. Translated, in context, the words say "you go eighteen paces" (after reaching the trails starting point); "the [canyon] wall is dangerous;" "look for the heart," a reference to a hidden heart, an emblem over the image of a horse incised on one of the other stones; and "look for the map," a reference to a second map hidden within the map incised on yet another stone. When it finally stopped, the water running off the rocks was a glorious sight, worth the trip in itself. Step into the past and uncover the mysteries of Micronesias Nan Madol, one of the most ancient and enigmatic lost cities in the world. Enjoyed the birds chirping, rabbits and spied a coyote. The Bat Cave Superstition Mountains Arizona | Southwest Legends Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. Arizona's Superstition Mountains Hikers follow in the footsteps of ), The Desert Environment I can see how Jacob's Crossing can be a great beginner's hike, but, for me, the climb to Broadway Cave was the highlight. So where good hiking shoes. Going down is pretty scary with the loose gravel. I found that I was too high. A vertical canyon wall over 100 feet high extended above the tail. For the second time, I completely gave up on finding the mine. Then, two things happened: either Chaos or Gaia created the universe as we know it, or Ouranos and Tethys gave birth to the first beings. The Macuahuitl: An Aztec Warriors Lethal and Sacred Weapon (Video), Medieval Hygiene Might Have Been Better Than You Think, What Did Ancient Egypt Really Look Like? Whoda thought? Thanks, Dana! Things get easier after the trail forks to the Broadway Cave. The Apaches dealt with them just as they had dealt with the Peralta family. with dirt and rocks. We seek to retell the story of our beginnings. The images gave me all the detail I really needed to solve the mystery of the location of the Lost Dutchman. I hiked the half mile. Click a thumbnail to see the full size image. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Some have even lost their lives in the pursuit of this treasure - leading to claims that the mine is cursed. . I put the whole thing out of my mind. This new evidence is linked to the stone tablets and presents another interpretation as to their meaning. The expedition is said to have arrived in the area of the Superstition Mountains, which was by the Apache Indians at that time inhabited. Super easy to get off trail as well. You'll take US 60 East until it turns into a 2 lane road. My neighbor pointed to the cave a key landmark below a ledge another key landmark and we soon stood on the site which thousands of people had searched for during the last one hundred and ten years. How can they think that this cave hasn't been explored, WHEN THERE IS A GIANT LADDER THERE! I learned that the mine was supposedly located on a ledge high on a canyon wall just a short distance up from where a small canyon runs into a large canyon. I hadnt heard of the Bat Cave, but your report helped us decide that we will never go there. 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(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); As a writer for DesertUSA, I've come across numerous references and stories associated with the Lost Dutchman Mine. It was getting late. Why Did So Many Ancient Egyptian Children Suffer Anemia? Location. Very busy trail. The locals, however, refused to help them in their quest, as they believed that the mountains was the home of the Thunder God, and therefore sacred ground that could not be trespassed on. We jumped into our vehicles, where we spent the night because we didnt have time to trench around the tent, and the rain lasted well into the night. Photos of a hike to the Broadway Cave in the Superstition Mountain Each red stone block is carved with lines and one long line. The Lost Dutchman could only be a figment of someones overactive imagination. The Killer Mountains stated that some of the original legends came from "Apache Gold and Yaqui Silver" by J frank Dobie. According to this version, the Peralta family made a number of gold mining expeditions to the Superstitions. The story was pretty clear. My wife had had enough of the heat, brush and pebbles, so she headed back to the car. It's roughly 4 miles roundtrip to the cave and takes 2 to . Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 54 min to complete. Their last is said to have occurred between 1847 and 1852. Since we were walking primarily on bedrock, there just wasnt much of anyplace for a hidden mineshaft or anything else. Now all we had to do was dig, and we would surely find one of the richest and most hunted treasures in the worldthe Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, secreted in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona. Busier as you near siphon draw, but pretty empty along Jacobs crosscut. A container of that size, I guessed, must have been used to store food. We were only about five feet from the rim of the canyon wall, which had more than one hundred foot vertical drop. When we arrived at the campsite, I began unloading and setting up our gear. The lion had killed the javelina all right, but that collared peccary did not go gently into the night. Eric proposes that the symbols they've encountered were placed in the area by Jesuits in this collection of scenes from "Dead Man's Gold." Subscribe for more from Legend of the Superstition. Hike up to the Wave Cave in the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona. Something was wrong, he said. The cross is gone, They only rented it from a prop shop for 2 days. Explore the most popular cave trails in Superstition Wilderness with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. This trip was a lark. Arizona is host to one of the great treasure legends of not just America, but of the world: The Lost Dutchman Mine. Local Guide To Wave Cave- The Superstitions Hidden Gem What surprised me was how steep the ladder is. [Online]Available at: http://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-lostdutchman.html, Paul, L., 2016. 10 were here. This time, I found a possible place to descend from the top, enabling me to make my way around the point. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. Don't expect solitude here unless you go on a weekday. This was no ordinary pair of eyes. The remaining Spanish fled in fear and dubbed the mountains Monte Supersticion (Superstition Mountain.), Spanish Francisco Vzquez de Coronado Expedition (1540 - 1542) ( Public Domain ). Unless he climb it many times before. The only problem was, it led into the large canyon, and we needed to be on the other side of the long point in the small canyon. Each block is approximately 8.25" (~ 21 cm) by 14" (~35.6 cm) and 2" thick, weighing about 25 lbs. My friend began assembling the tent. There are great views from this vantage point as well as the fun exploring this shallow cave and the interesting wave rock formation within. The Helsinki and Uusimaa District is the largest Finnish Red Cross District with 20,600 members and The entire show is scripted and staged. I just finished watching the season finale. I can tell you this much, as a treasure hunter, amateur with a metal detector and knowing of this story and so many others these places are highly guarded and you can get your kazoo shot off. Desert Geological Terms, Home | About | Contact Us | Feedback | Privacy | Site Outline | Advertising on DesertUSA | Hotels. She selected one of these for that purpose, and it hung in its appointed place for two or three weeks. If it doesn't continue. Length: 4.6 mi Est. The site is said to have been mined by a . There must be similar "clues" all over the Superstition Mountains. I have trouble with the idea of a life size "gold" statue of a priest,due to the idolatry/humility thing. The Superstition Wilderness is on the far east side of the Phoenix valley making the drive roughly 40 minutes or more, depending on where you're embarking from. For more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. by gollum Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:19 pm, Post Doable. Eventually, the Peraltas stopped venturing onto the mountains, and all the maps and knowledge of the mines exact location were lost. It made a very good playpen with a ground sheet, but it had no roof. Bat Cave with Ladder Humm, Why is there even a ladder up there? No, not me. No way was the latter there for 100's of years and if it was the cross would of been known. More searching would have to wait until the next trip. You had me laughing in this one. I'm out there 20 or 30 times a year. Monument Canyon and Broadway Cave via Jacob's Trail, Brittlebush Trail, Huff and Puff Trail, and Palo Verde Trail Loop, Wedding Cake Hill via Lost Goldmine Trail, Superstition Peak 5057 via Hieroglyphic Trail, Superstition Peak 5057 (South Ascent Route), Hieroglyphic and Lost Goldmine East Loop via Superstition Peak, Carney, Hieroglyphic, Ridgeline, Lost Goldmine Loop, Wedding Cake Hill and Turks Cap Hill Loop Trail. No gold and no treasure but intriguing. We shot the pictures anyway but with little hope of them turning out well. Another version of the massacre left only one survivor of the Peralta expedition, who escaped to Sonora to tell the story. It would prove to be the only place in the whole area that provided shelter, water, firewood and nearby grazing for livestock. Thanks for asking Veronica. A short distance down the canyon, I found a cave that fit a description I had read. Such a thing would have saved me a lot of trouble. We would hike to a place I thought I might be marked by the map on the stones. I figured that the chance of me finding anything was remote. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Ed Piper spent MANY years in the Superstitions. With the clues on the Peralta Stones, I set out to solve the mystery of the location of the Lost Dutchmans Mine. Lost Dutchman Mine - Part 1 - DesertUSA It's not very deep but the front opening is large. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. The early morning shadows on Superstition Mountain add to the free wilderness show. The trail is nice for a flatlander like me. Rocky beginning, great views of the Superstition Mountains, loved walking through a forest of saguaros. Regardless of the number of times we saw it, this view always had the power to stop conversation. It was found on the wall of a cave in the Superstition Mountains. Yes, it's rocky, but it adds to the hike. Lost Dutchman Mine clues The trail drops into a wash and on the other side begins a steep climb. We had to leave. I was especially fascinated by the symbols and the details of the map. First mile was very rocky loose rocks. From the parking area, follow along the wide, closed dirt road heading towards the Superstition Wilderness. Its all in the thrill of the hunt-that's why we are all on T-Net and the guys on the show are just like all of us..Maybe after the show we'll find out what they really learned on their fact finding adventure!!!! Credits; It's roughly 20 feet tall by 50 foot wide by 30 feet deep and shows evidence of large parties. Bat cave with ladder One tale of the dangers associated with the Lost Dutchman Mine came from George Johnston, who searched for the treasure in the 1950s and worked for the Superstition MountainLost Dutchman Museum. ( Leslie Rogers Ross /Adobe Stock). I could see into the bottom of the large canyon 500 feet below. What is this and what does this mean, possible Jesuit cross with The (Only the West bound traffic stops.). On display at the Superstition Mountain Museum. The ancient civilization of Greece is a historical period that has long been a subject of fascination and intrigue. Made it to Carlsbad Caverns last Christmas Bat Poop wooo heck of a place cheap and cheerful and absolutely draw dropping beauty good hike down made the mistake of challenging two teenagers back up didnt think it was possible to sweat in a cave but felt good stayed with them (not so good next morning) Could of waited for the elevator. Pretty much so, anyway. This couldnt be a coincidence. On that trip we explored a wide area and still found nothing. I tried to remind myself that the Lost Dutchman was just a figment of someones overactive imagination. One premise of the show was that the Jesuits also mined gold in the area. Historians say there is no hard evidence proving the Peralta family actually mined in the area, but they have nevertheless become a significant part of the legend. Rock climbing. I had to clamber either up or down steep inclines while going around a very slanted canyon wall. The only things I found were some prehistoric potsherds, including a part of a vessels rim. The rocks would have to be cleared before we could work safely in the area below. Reading about the cross on the back wall of the cave, I would have removed it or took a pick and sledge hammer to the back wall and see if it was a false room, but being there would be someone's estimated $200,000,000 in gold someone made up, I could care less and I would have gotten it out of there if it was in there if I found it! I contacted the A. L. Flagg Foundation, the curator of the stones, in Mesa, Arizona, to find out whether I could see them first hand. The Search For The Real Facts Here are some additional stories that may be of interest to you. Beautiful views. About dusk, I dragged myself into camp exhausted but otherwise no worse for wear. By September of 1996, I had not yet actually been to the Superstitions to check my theories about the map, so my wife and I took a trip to the mountains. Within the refuge are 14 trail heads that cover 190 miles. Some spots bit technical. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The Superstition Mountains at night. Our collection of books on the Lost Dutchman had grown since I discovered the Peralta Stones in Sikorskys Fools Gold, so I dug one of them out and discovered a face was part of the legend. But not me, I was hooked. Jesuit Treasure in the Superstitions - DesertUSA.com/mb3 Grave site of Jacob "Dutchman" Waltz, a German immigrant who it in the 19th century discovered a gold mine in Arizona and kept its location a secret, hence the "Lost Dutchman's Mine". Superstition Mountains - Peralta Stone Tablet Maps For more than 120 years, the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine has haunted the minds and souls of treasure seekers throughout the world. Although he managed to take the gold, he was killed by the Apache on his journey home. The Superstitions are aka The Superstion Wilderness Area a part of the Tonto National Forest so any Apache guarding them are Federal park employees and there are probably at least a few. There are no Indians, no ghosts, and nobody is following people looking for the gold. When the procession returned, the beasts bore no burden. We had to hike through a lot of scrub brush and cacti, walking over pea-size pebbles which rolled like marbles when we stepped on them, making the going tough. by Cutting Edge Celtic Tech - 2,300-year-old Scissors Still Sharp and Shiny! At this point, I suspected that a crescent landmark on the Peralta Stone map would show the way to the mine. I just couldnt find a way around the point at the level where I believed that I needed to be. This cave (really an alcove) in the southwest flank of Superstition Mountain can be seen while driving southeast on US-60 in Apache Junction. GPS Navigation Systems Can Be a Misleading Travel Companion by Jim Hatt Wed Sep 01, 2010 12:23 pm, Post Laid side by side, the Trail Map stone and the Heart Map stone, with the Heart Stone nestled into its cutout, appear to be related. Not a destination Im interested in, You convinced me, Im not going there!!!! I wasnt going to fall for it again. About half way up on the canyon wall was a small ledge. Finally - The Lost Dutchman Gold Mine Is Found! Nonetheless, the legends of this mine have continued to attract treasure seekers to the Superstition Mountains, some of whom have lost their lives in the quest for this elusive gold mine. It was at the base of a small hill with an almost vertical wall. Was going to do the broadway cave, but I was done. The doctor allegedly cured some Apaches of an eye disease, and they wanted to reward him. The elevation gain is 800 feet--half of that is in the final approach which may involve some all-fours hiking. Superstition Wilderness Photos (2,566) Directions Print/PDF map Length 12.3 miElevation gain 1,335 ftRoute type Out & back Enjoy this 12.3-mile out-and-back trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. Smells like bat shit. Moments later, I was drenched with heavy rain, and the range disappeared in the storm. Rusty old Tobacco tin with a surprise inside, 2023!! Weaver's Needle, Superstition Wilderness, Arizona, USA. I returned, with my brother, to the site marked by the doughnut symbol in May of 1997. Another variation of Waltzs story is told by John Handley , he ran across three Mexicans working a gold mine deep in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix. What I realize though is, positive or negative, we are watching the show, mission accomplished by History Channel, to get us to watch itafter that they care less what we think LOL. [Online]Available at: http://www.desertusa.com/lost-dutchman/lost-dutchman-1.html, Legends of America, 2016. I felt sure that we stood at one end of the trail, which is indicated on the map by a doughnut-shaped symbol, but we could find nothing else which seemed to tie to the map. On the trip home, however, my friend asked if the curved arrow on the map could be an extension of the trail. There's a large cairn or two at the intersection. Along the side of Yanmen Shan mountain, located twenty kilometers to the east of Nanjing, China, the legendary Yangshan quarry can be found.
