Superstition Mountain

Gold Canyon, AZ - Very few things have drawn more people to an area more than gold. Historians credited the "Ironhorse" or railroad with the expansion of the Western US, but the dominating motivation for many was silver and gold. The chance to strike it rich had no small part in settling the Phoenix, AZ, area, and the legendary gold hidden in the Superstition Mountains continues to lure people to this day. From atop of one of the many peaks the word massive seems so inadequate. Magestic views abound. Valleys and still more moutains and peaks reach as far as the eye can see. If you think America's has lost it wildness you have not wandered the thousands of miles of trails, mountains, and valleys that comprise the Superstition Mountains.

Driving east from Phoenix on Hwy. 60 one might think they have reached the "edge of town" when they got to the tiny hamlet of Gold Canyon. Not even close. Hidden from sight, or just up the road, are dozens of small developments. As fast as they are growing I doubt anyone at any level of government has a good idea of how many snowbirds come to Arizona for the winter. A million motor homers between Yuma and Lake Havasu blew me away, but that pales to the numbers scattered around the rest of the state. They come from all over the world. Standing on the porch of old Fort Bowie I saw a group of fully dressed out cowboys and cowgirls riding through the canyon. When they tied their horses out front they were chatting with each other in French. It was obvious from their speech it was their native language. Imagine my surprise when three days later this same group came riding down from the wilderness trail from Cochise Stronghold.

Gold has once again been discovered in them thar hills!