Halloween Hike in the Haunted Superstitions & Lunch at Goldfield Ghost Town
Details
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Plan on joining us for the annual Halloween hike on the Treasure Loop Trail in the beautiful and mysterious Superstition Mountains, believed by many to be haunted. After the hike we will head over to another reportedly haunted location, Goldfield Ghost Town, (http://www.goldfieldghosttown.com/) for lunch and to explore the ghost town. Tables will be reserved for the entire group in the Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon for lunch after the hike.
Please update your RSVP in advance if your plans change. No shows hurt the entire group and limit the type of events that may be planned. Also, be aware that there is 520 feet of elevation gain, most of it in the first 1.7 miles of the 2.4 mile hike and that the trail is rocky in places. This trail is rated Moderate.
The ghosts of Goldfield Ghost Town were the subject of a Travel Channel Ghost Adventures (http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures)episode. The Arizona Republic azcentral® named Goldfield Ghost Town as one of the Top 8 places to experience the Old West in Arizona. Goldfield Ghost Town and Lost Dutchman State Park (https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman/)have both been awareded the TripAdvisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/)Certificate of Excellence Award.
You won't find a more haunted place to hike than the Superstition Mountains. The Superstition Mountains derive their name from European settlers on account of the many Native American legends surrounding the mountains. To this day, the Superstition Mountains remain a place of unexplained paranormal stories.
Many Pima believed that evil spirits were imprisoned in the pinnacles of the Superstition Mountains. Another legend was that “Tuar-Tums” or “Little People” live in hidden tunnels and caves in the mountain range and guard the mountains' secrets and treasures.
The Pima also tell the story of an evil one named Hauk who lived behind Superstition Mountain. He was called the "Devil of Superstition Mountain." To rid the world of this evil, Suha, Shaman and leader of the Pima tribe, secretly poisoned the cactus wine that Hauk drank, killing Hauk. But the Pimas always feared that Hauk's evil spirit still lurked behind Superstition Mountain. Some say that it does to this day.
Many Apaches called the Superstition Mountains the "Devil's Playground." They believed that the portal leading down into the lower world was located in the Superstitions. Winds blowing from the hole supposedly cause the great dust storms that plague the Valley.
Another Apache legend is that the mountains are the home of the thunder gods. While hiking in the Superstitions, one can sometimes hear rumblings similar to rolling thunder. Geologists say this is the result of seismic activity resonating off the canyon walls, although I much prefer the Apache explanation.
An apparition called the Borego Phantom is said to appear to gold-seekers between Seventeen Palms and the Superstition Mountains. The Borego Phantom reportedly manifests itself as a 8-foot tall human skeleton with a lantern in its chest. It is said to appear only after darkness falls. Many believe the Borego Phantom is the ghost of a prospector.
Locals also tell stories of seeing reptilian beings lurking in the mountains after dark. They are often described as being about the size of a man or much taller, with bat-like wings and a tail. Some have reportedly seen them fly out of caves in the mountains. Native Americans say that these creatures are shapeshifters and can take any form that they want. Others say that they come from other worlds through interdimensional vortexes claimed to exist in the Superstitions. The many unsolved disappearances of hikers in the area deepen the mystery.
And, of course, the legend of German immigrant Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman Mine (https://azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman/explore/the-dutchman)settles around the Superstitions. Countless treasure hunters have lost their life searching for the lost mine. Their ghosts are said to haunt the mountains to this day.
The Superstition Mountains were formed by volcanic activity during the mid-Tertiary Period. They are the largest of the mountain ranges surrounding Phoenix. Native wildlife includes mule deer, coyote, javelina and jackrabbit. It is one of Phoenix's most scenic hiking areas. Human occupation of the Superstition Mountains can be traced back 10,000 to 12,000 years. The mountain range is in the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area.
The 2.4 mile Treasure Loop trail leads from the Lost Dutchman State Park into the surrounding Tonto National Forest (http://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto/) and skirts the Superstition Wilderness Area. A spur trail leads off of the Treasure Loop Trail to the Praying Hands formation and adds approximately an additional mile to the hike. It is optional but well worth it for the spectacular views it provides.
Type: Loop
Difficulty Rating: Moderate
Guide to Trail Rating System Used by Parks (PDF) (http://www.maricopacountyparks.net/assets/1/6/trailrating.pdf)
Elev. Gain: 520 feet (700+ feet total gain if taking spur trail to the Praying Hands)
Season: October to May
Usage: Medium
Animals: Dogs on leash
Features: Scenic views, perhaps a paranormal encounter (Halloween is only 3 days away!).
Facilities: Modern restrooms located in two of the three day use areas, and two restroom/shower buildings located in the campground
Fee: $7 per vehicle Lost Dutchman State Park day use fee (see carpooling info below).
Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, sunscreen and wear proper hiking attire.
Costumes are optional but welcomed (must not impair vision or be otherwise unsafe for hiking).
ASSUMPTION OF RISK: All outdoor activities entail risks. By signing up for this event you acknowledge the risks and assume all responsibility for your personal safety. You agree to hold organizers, hosts and members harmless.
Link to downloadable, printable park map:
Lost Dutchman State Park Map (http://azstateparks.com/Parks/LODU/downloads/LODU_Park_Map.pdf)
Pay the day-use fee at the Visitor Center and proceed to the Treasure Loop Trailhead located at the Cholla day-use parking area.
NOTE: Goldfield Ghost Town has given us permission to park and carpool to Lost Dutchman State Park from their parking lot, which is right on the route. Those who wish to carpool to share the Lost Dutchman Park fee should meet at the lower parking lot below the train station at Goldfield Ghost Town at 8:00 am. It's the first parking lot to your left as you enter Goldfield. The address is 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85119.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kA33brCOc8
Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, 40 miles east of Phoenix. The park offers a variety of recreational opportunities. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest.
The park offers a variety of hiking trails, nature trails, picnic facilities, 72 campsites, a dump station, restrooms, showers, and group use areas. The visitor center sells maps and other publications.
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Superstition Mountain as seen from the Lost Dutchman State Park. The Treasure Loop Trail takes you along the base of the mountain and provides you with spectacular views. Photo: Doug Dolde.
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Climbers climbing the Praying Hands in the Superstition Mountains. Photo: KM. Licensed under the NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/legalcode) license.
In keeping with the Halloween theme, after the hike we will head over to the Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon at the historic 1890s Goldfield Ghost Town, 4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd., Apache Junction, AZ 85119 for lunch.
The Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon is family-friendly and serves Appetizers and the famous Mammoth Burgers, as well as "the Juiciest Steaks & Coldest Drinks you’ll ever lay yer hands on!" And you'll definitely want to try their Prickly Pear Margarita. Click here for their online menu! (http://goldfieldghosttown.com/?page_id=7)
We can leisurely tour the ghost town afterward. Admission to Goldfield Ghost Town is FREE!
Goldfield Ghost Town has long been haunted according to the town's managers and employees.
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Mammoth Saloon at Goldfield Ghost Town has live music and Old West attired saloon girls, as well as great food & drink. The Old West Stagecoach in the Saloon is an authentic remnant from the historic town of Tombstone, Arizona. Photo: Bernard Gagnon.
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Historic Goldfield mining town was established in 1893. The settlement of Goldfield got its start in 1892 when high-grade gold ore was found in the area. Photo: Bernard Gagnon.
Directions:
From Phoenix
Take US-60 East (Superstition Freeway)
Drive east to exit 196 Idaho Road/AZ-88 East
Turn left on Idaho Road /AZ-88 East | 2.3 miles
Turn right at N. Apache Trail / AZ-88 East | 4.0 miles
Turn left at Goldfield Ghost Town
Lost Dutchman State Park Entrance is approximately 1 mile past Goldfield Ghost Town on N. Apache Trail / AZ 88 East
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Halloween Hike in the Haunted Superstitions & Lunch at Goldfield Ghost Town