Superstition Mountain
Superstition Mountain | |
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O'odham: Gakoḍk | |
Geography | |
Location | Pinal County, Arizona, US |
Parent range | Superstition Mountains |
Topo map | USGS Goldfield |
Superstition Mountain (
Name
Apache Junction resident and Superstition Mountain historian Tom Kollenborn reported the
Human history
Native peoples of the
Gold prospecting and mining activity occurred around the mountain in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The possibly-apocryphal Peralta massacre reportedly occurred in 1848, when members of the Peralta family tried to transport gold out of the mountains before they became U.S. territory.[3] The first mining claim in the region was the Buckhorn Claim, now known as the Palmer Mine, staked in 1886,[3] and at least 15 gold mines were established near the mountain, including the Mammoth Mine and Bull Dog Mine.[3] The mountain is featured in the legend of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, and treasure hunters have continued to search for the mine to the present day, despite strict rules limiting prospecting and mining activity in the Superstition Wilderness Area.[3][8]
Superstition Mountain has been the site of several
During the 20th and 21st centuries, the Phoenix metropolitan area has expanded to the vicinity of the mountain. In 1940, nearby Apache Junction was "nothing more than a filling station and a small zoo",
Geography
Superstition Mountain is located within the greater Superstition Mountains range 43 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona, in the fringe of the state's central mountain region. It is a prominent landmark located generally south and east of the Salt River, rising approximately 3,000 feet (910 m) above the Salt River Valley.[4] The city of Apache Junction is located immediately to the west of the mountain, and the unincorporated community of Gold Canyon is located to the south.
The mountain has two major peaks, Superstition Peak
Geology
The mountain was formed by a series of volcanic eruptions between 20.5 and 18 million years ago.[16] The west face of the mountain is composed of dacite lava and rhyolitic tuff.[17] The overlying tuff was deposited during an eruption which created a collapse caldera bounded by faults. Dome resurgence reactivated these faults, causing uplift of the caldera floor which juxtaposed the softer tuff and more resistant dacite.[17] Differential weathering caused the outer tuff to erode faster, leaving the dacite cliffs exposed and creating the prominent mountain visible today.
Climate
Superstition Mountain is located in a semi-arid zone, receiving between 8 inches (20 cm) and 25 inches (64 cm) of precipitation annually, depending on elevation. The average annual temperature is 72 °F (22 °C), but summer temperatures above 112 °F (44 °C) are common, with temperatures sometimes falling below freezing in winter. The
Recreation
The mountain has numerous trails for hiking and horseback riding, along with limited trails for mountain biking. Trailheads include the First Water Trailhead near Youngberg, several trailheads in Lost Dutchman State Park,[18] the Tonto Trailhead and Broadway Trailhead near Apache Junction, and the Hieroglyphic Trailhead and Peralta Trailhead near Gold Canyon.[3] The Superstition Ridgeline Trail follows the contour of the top of the mountain.[19][3] Mountain bikes are not permitted within the Superstition Wilderness, which protects much of the mountain.[citation needed]
Rock climbing is also popular on and around Superstition Mountain, with popular climbs including The Hand (also known as Praying Hands) and Crying Dinosaur along trails near Lost Dutchman State Park,
Transportation
U.S. Route 60 and Apache Trail are two primary roads used to access Superstition Mountain.
Notable residents
References
- ^ a b c "Superstition". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ "Superstition Benchmark, Arizona". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved June 8, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Carlson, Jack; Stewart, Elizabeth (2017). Superstition Wilderness Trails West (1st ed.). Tempe, Arizona: Clear Creek Publishing. pp. 11, 29, 34–38, 157, 173–179, 188, 192–194, 214, 219, 241.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Swanson, James; Kollenborn, Tom (1981). Superstition Mountain: A Ride Through Time. Phoenix, Arizona: Arrowhead Press. pp. xvii, xxi, 1, 3–6, 7, 20, 107, 159, 160, 169, 170, 173, 181.
- ^ a b "GNIS Detail – Superstition Peak". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
- ^ "Civil War in the Superstitions". Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Chronicles: Dismal Valley". Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Prospecting, Mining, And Searching For Treasure In Wilderness Areas". United States Forest Service. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "What is Apacheland, Arizona?". Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Apacheland". Archived from the original on May 18, 2013.
- ^ "Superstition Wilderness Area". United States Forest Service. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Monument Canyon – Tonto NF, AZ". Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Plane Carrying 3 Children, 3 Men Crashes in Arizona Mountains". Fox News. November 24, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "Holiday flight became tragedy in Superstition Mountains". Arizona Republic. November 25, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- ISSN 1555-7332.
- ^ a b "41-superstitionmts". home.moravian.edu. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ "Lost Dutchman State Park". Arizona State Parks. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "Superstition Ridgeline, AZ". Retrieved May 1, 2021.
External links
- "Superstition Mountain History". Retrieved April 1, 2012.
- "Superstition Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "Superstition Mountain Hikes". Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "History of the Superstitions". Apache Junction Public Library. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "Superstition Mountain Museum". Retrieved June 7, 2011.