Lost Dutchman Gold Mine - Arizona Superstition Mountain Wilderness - Gold Mining

It's a double edged sword ain't it Wayne?? I find myself wanting to complain that work has been killing me for the last couple years, but then I look around and see we have PhD and Master's Degree Chemists applying for Technician jobs through temp agencies and I realize I should just be happy I'm working.

Gotta start sending you and Randy some e-mails and see if I can come out and explore with you in March sometime - even if it's only for a few days!!

Heard you guys are having some lousy weather out that way too - lots of rain and wind?

Hi Paul,

This is a great time to be doing a little gold panning in the Supe's. Get into those places you suspect, and test the waters......so to speak. Course you want to be pretty sure the heavy rains will hold off for a few days. Personally, I would work my way up into some of the steep ravines and take some samples to be panned out below.
May not need to go that far, as pools of water will be found farther up.

Take care,

Joe

Hello Cubfan64, Zentull, djui5, Joe and all. This is my first post on this forum but I've been watching and reading for years. Hope all is well with everyone and your life is where you want it to be. I attended the rendevous in October and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to this upcoming rendevous with much anticipation.By the way, if you gentlemen work up some hikes or trips in March, would you mind if an Okie went along? Hope that's not too presumptous on my part. Anyway, best to all.

Ralph Johnson

Will keep it in mind.

Paul,

You were the last Dutch Hunter to hitch a ride in the old Bronco.......All work little play means I bought me a new truck! Gonna miss that creaky, gas guzzling, stinky old bucket of bolts.

Ralph - good to hear from you! I certainly remember you and look forward to shaking hands again this coming October if I can make it out that way.

Wayne - WOW!!!! I would have bet you'd be buried in that Bronco!!!

So how long before the new truck is full of month old french fries - not to mention all the brush scratches from driving through Arizona's "outback?"

Joe - If I lived out that way, I'd learn how to pan for gold and I have at least 2 spots I'd already have been out checking

No food, no drinks, no fun in the new truck!!!!!

Yah sure - you and I both know that ain't gonna last forever

Take care and stop working so hard - life's important to live

All,

We seem to be getting a lot of "newbie's" to the Forum and Dutch Hunting in general.

This is a WARNING for those people:

The Superstitions are dangerous, even for those who have lived in the mountains and are highly experienced. It is best to never go into those mountains, off the maintained trails, alone. The optimum, minimum, number is three. I won't go into all of the things you should take, or the various precautions you should follow. Suffice it to say that you should get advise from those that you know are familiar with the Superstitions.

Two people have lost their lives in those mountains in recent months. One from a heart attack, and the other's body has not been found yet. I don't know the heart attack victims background, but Jessie Capin was an experienced mountain hiker.

As you read the books about these mountains, and listen to all of the stories that are passed around, you should keep in mind that many very well respected Dutch Hunters have made up these stories out of whole cloth. In other words, they will lie to your face without compunction. They have been creating signs and clues in the mountains for many years.

In most cases, that is harmless, but there are times when their clues, stories and false signs will lead you into extremely dangerous areas. Many people have lost their lives or been seriously injured trying to follow this information.

There will be people who will read this warning and know I am telling you the truth. That's because they are the "well respected Dutch Hunters" I am referring to. Many no longer post here, at least under their old names. If I sound bitter, it's because I am. Being lied to by people you trust will do that to you.

On the other hand, I have made many friends over the decades who will be close for the rest of my life. Dutch Hunting can be immensely rewarding. You will see some of the most wild and beautiful country in Arizona. Sitting around a campfire with your family and friends as the moon rises over the mountains creates a stirring chorus from Brother Coyote. It's something you will never forget.

Good luck,

Joe Ribaudo

Lost of rain and wind??? YES. I was in 2nd Water Canyon on Saturday and I was amazed at the number of "blow down" saguaros...like dozens of mature green saguaros fell over last week. We hiked up to one of the Question Mark mines...not sure if it was #1 or #2, but it was filled with rain water. Then, we hiked down the "Stoker Trail" to his camp. Randy previously posted some photos in the photo gallery that showed the old, faint trail going right through 2 large saguaro's...they fell down last week too.

Question...for Joe: When was your uncle mining in the area and when did he maintain his camp above 2nd Water Spring. I hiked the main 2nd Water trail many times in the early '70's, but I never knew his camp was over there.

Comment...for Randy: we even found the same skull at Obie's camp that you are holding in the picture.

Bill,

[Question...for Joe: When was your uncle mining in the area and when did he maintain his camp above 2nd Water Spring. I hiked the main 2nd Water trail many times in the early '70's, but I never knew his camp was over there.]

Obie and Olive located the LDM (he thought) back in the 20s. He worked it, off and on, for many years. He had many partners over those years who did the labor and provided the funds.

Don't believe anyone ever made one thin dime from that claim.

Take care,

Joe Ribaudo

By the way as I remember Randy was not to thrilled when I told him to pick up that thing for a picture!

Obie certainly could pick the spots though....if not for treasure at least for the view!