I Went Backpacking to Find $2 Million in Gold

Join me for 3 days of Backpacking, Camping and History as we search for the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains.
For this desert backpacking trip, I headed south to the Superstition Wilderness, within the greater Tonto National Forest - about 60 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona. Not only was this a beautiful and scenic hike due to the stark desert surroundings and sharp, rugged peaks, but this particular region has added bonus - a rich history full of intrigue and lore right at home in your favorite spaghetti western flick.
Some of these tales are indisputable facts. Others, are more debatable - the stuff of legends and mystery. The most notable and famous of those stories is that of "The Dutchman Jacob Waltz who was supposed to have had a secured a secret gold mine in the area, and that of Adolph Ruth, who met a mysterious demise many years later trying to find the gold after Jacob's passing.
Whether the Lost Dutchman's Gold was an actual mine, or a hidden cache that was originally mined elsewhere, depends on which version of several accounts you choose to believe. In fact, even the fact that he came upon it accidentally is up for debate as well. Some iterations of the tale suggest that he was given the details of the hidden mine after saving the life of a man who belonged to a wealthy Mexican mining family.
As the legend goes, Jacob managed to live off the gold keep it's whereabouts a secret from local treasure hunters and bandits for many years. Until, on his death bed in 1891, he confirmed the gold mine to his caretaker Julia Thomas and provided her with info on it's whereabouts. Apparently, it wasn't quite enough info, because they never found it after years of searching.
Word spread, many more people started searching, and they continue to search until this day. People have gone missing while searching, some have even had their skull found right on one of the trails we hiked on our loop, complete with two bullet holes and their body found separately in heavy brush 1/4 of a mile away. That man was Adolf Ruth, who went into the Superstitions on a two week expedition in search of the gold back in 1931. He never showed up at the end of those two weeks, but he did leave a bunch of strange clues and unanswered questions...
Blog Post for this Trip
www.sintax77.com/i-went-backp...
Caltopo Map and GPS Data:
caltopo.com/m/1A756
Trailhead Used: Peralta Trailhead
Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
N33° 23.858' W111° 20.873'
Season / Time of Year: Early Spring, Last week of March
Trails Used Day 1
Dutchman's Trail
Whiskey Spring Trail
Red Tanks Trail
Camp along La Barge Creek on Red Tanks Trail
Day 1 Total Mileage: 8 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1406'
Day 1 Gross Descent 1,097'
Trails Used Day 2
Continue on Red Tanks Trail
North on Dutchman Trail
At the water crossing, leave Dutchman Trail
Bushwhack up Black Top Mesa around the area that Adolph Ruth's belongings were found.
Check out the Spanish Hieroglyphs
Black Top Mesa Trail
Dutchman Trail
Peralta Canyon Trail
Setup Camp near the creek
This is a nice spot with shelter from the wind, a nearby creek, and an awesome view of Weaver's Needle.
Day 2 Total Mileage: 9 miles
Day 2 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,449'
Day 2 Gross Descent 1,665'
Trails Used Day 3
Peralta Canyon Trail
Return to the Peralta Trailhead
Day 3 Total Mileage: 7 miles
Day 3 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,387'
Day 3 Gross Descent 1,480'
Total Mileage: 24
Total Gross Elevation Gain: 4,242'
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear:
Outdoor Vitals Fortius 1p Trekking Pole Tent alnk.to/9T8v0AB
OV Satu Adventure Pants alnk.to/7M9peN5
OV Nebo Windbreaker Jacket alnk.to/7M9peOg
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt bit.ly/2qlZgJn
Klymit Static V Sleeping Pad amzn.to/4dqbK8R
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Titanium Long Handled Spork amzn.to/3ANWmAK
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals amzn.to/3Qkp02i
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter amzn.to/2WcjfYZ
‘Hiker’s Guide to the Superstition Wilderness‘ amzn.to/2uyjmTu
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Superstition Mountains
12:24 Finding a campsite for night one
20:37 Day 2
23:11 The legend of Jacob Waltz and the Lost Dutchman's Gold
29:55 The mysterious case of treasure hunter Adolph Ruth
37:16 Jacob Waltz's last days & confession
42:04 Discovery of Adolph Ruth's skull & personal items
52:11 Searching for the Spanish Hieroglyphs
01:03:45 Finding Adolph Ruth's final campsite
01:13:15 Day 3
01:17:15 Adolph Ruth's demise doesn't quite add up
01:19:51 How Jacob Waltz found the Peralta Gold Mine
01:23:14 Adolph Ruth's missing map

[@cardiacbob]

I grew up in that area right on the border between Mesa and Apache junction I went to mountain view high School back in the late 70s. I was always intrigued by the lost Dutchman mine up in the superstition mountains, and what I can with my buddies up there to try and find the the gold! This video brings back a lot of great memories

[@ARAL446667]

I remember my father going out there to look for that gold back in the 80s. He would sit an pour over maps in the evening. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@debbiputman3482]

My grandparents had their Winter home within sight of the Superstitions. My Grandfather took us hiking there and we, too, dreamed of finding The Lost Dutchman Mine! Great memories!

[@sintax77]

Love it - that sounds awesome!

[@buffalobill9793]

It looks like your sticking to well beaten paths. Do you not think if there were a well known gold cache to be found and it were near a well beaten path that somebody would have found it by now. It has either been found by now, never existed in the first place or its off the well beaten paths.

[@gregprice155]

Even though I'm a Carolina boy, I am drawn to Arizona for some strange reason. I love the desert my friend. Great video. Keep'em coming. I just did a hike in the Linville gorge. Fun for the whole family. Be safe and keep on exploring. I would love to hike in the Sonoran desert.

[@sintax77]

Ah, man - I love Linville Gorge! Thanks, Greg - safe travels to you as well! Maybe someday you'll make it out to the Sonoran Desert as well. :)

[@gregprice155]

@@sintax77 I have a history with the Linville gorge. I was married thirty something years ago on the summit of Hawksbill. I used to climb on table rock back in the 70's. I am still married to the same beautiful gal. It's difficult to hike the gorge now because of my knees and age, but I still do it. I am nearly 70 years young. I have been following you on KZbin since your early days. You do really good video's. I did do a day hike in the Sonoran a couple of years ago with my two boys, but it was only a five mile loop outside of Scottsdale Az., but that just made me want to do backpacking down around Tucson. The day hike I did was in September and by 10:00 AM it was super hot. I wanted to see rattle snakes, Gila monsters, horned lizards, and any other reptiles and wildlife, but I didn't see squat. You and Sarah might want to check out the botanical garden in Phenix Az, It is absolutely amazing. Cacti species from every region of the Sonoran. I did see an Arizona kingsnake there. Have fun and please be safe.

[@foxhoundoutdoor8431]

56:20 when you're up, you're up, when you're down, you're down, but when you're only halfway up, you're neither up nor down 😂😂

[@philpeterson]

No matter where you're at, there you are .

[@db.mc2]

Thanks Shawn! 👊🏻👍🏻Awesome story/adventure! Always great to hear from you my friend 🙏🏻Appreciate you!

[@barrymontgomery7339]

Kansas resident here. I think I have hiked most of the trails you did in this video. Lots of fun and history out there. Makes me want to go back to the desert. Good job, Shawn.

[@kozlowrazor]

I was getting the strangest deja vu watching this and then I realized you’ve been here before…in 2016! Definitely enough time for a revisit. Congrats on keeping this awesome channel going so long.

[@sintax77]

Good catch! Yup, Sara and I first checked it out over 8 years ago.

[@scottyplug]

I love when you do these historic trips. This one is maybe my favorite, as I've literally been right where you were. Great vid.

[@judithbrown3623]

I always love to see the notification for your videos. Interesting area to explore. Thanks for sharing the trip. Tell Sarah and Denali hi!

[@denali9643]

Another Sintax adventure in a spot I’ve been to! Let’s go!!

[@wendelclements6448]

Dude I have watched 1,000’s of videos of camping, hiking, and the likes but this one friend is the top, the best, the most awesome. Once I started watching it I couldn’t stop. What else can I say but this was awesome. Im from down south Louisiana and not much on that type of terrain but you made it look awesome. As always safe travels man

[@sintax77]

That's really awesome to hear. Thank you and safe travels to you as well!

[@ramblin_wreck]

Awesome video, thanks!

[@YaknTackle]

Oh hell yeah!!! Right on time!!!

[@bp93yj]

Nice video. Always enjoy your trips. Nice history lesson throughout the video.

[@scottdeblois8498]

Liked the fun history and the adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@user-hk7ol9ls1e]

Super interesting. Lived in desert terrain for years and love them. Actually hiked part of area you were in and just not dull at all. Appreciate the history. Was praying no rattling guests were in those rocks you were climbing around. Another interesting hike vicariously with you. Thanks for bringing us along

[@steve8421]

Cool story with a great hike.

[@THESHAODOWCAMPER]

Fantastic adventure. Great history and beautiful scenery

[@philhorne3293]

I always enjoy your adventures. This one looked like fun.

[@TrooBlud34]

Very cool hike, and interesting history. My folks would snow bird it out there in that area in the winter time, and just sort of wander around. They always talked about the Lost Dutchman Gold and how beautiful it was there. Thanks for sharing😎

[@TheArtisanbard]

Loved hearing the stories

[@shirleytaylor2069]

Enjoyed the history lesson and great scenery .

[@lomino6478]

As always, have been looking forward to your next video (they seem to come round with the same frequency as Halley's comet 😉) Thoroughly enjoyable. All the best, look forward to the next 👍

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Lomino!

[@F13Helm]

Very enjoyable video, loved this "walk and talk" :-)

[@unitedstatesdale]

Thank you. I enjoyed this so much !!!

[@oyetequilla5728]

was that Roman noodles? Cute. lol

[@PhilDesmond]

Shout out from West Chester, PA! Nice video and narration. Quality stuff.

[@sintax77]

It's Cheesesteak Time!

[@thesuesinator6087]

Awesome adventure! Thank you.

[@danstowe8163]

This is the first video this year that is in a place I'd want to go! Not knocking on you and to each his own. Plus I still love all your videos.

[@carlinsavell4207]

Very interesting and cool adventure in the Sonora Desert!

[@bluesideup007]

Thanks for the wonderful adventure. I had to watch it over several days, because I should have been doing something else (just couldn't wait to finish your story). Cheers, ~Canoeski.

[@jameswilliams7420]

Awesome video. Enjoyed the story

[@lowermichiganadventures]

1:38 dang that’s a lot of gold

[@jamesnelson167]

Interesting video. Enjoyed you adventure and info very much

[@kristymoore7052]

Thank you, super entertaining and informative. In my past life, My late husband and I published a gold prospecting magazine in the 90’s and I met many members of LDMA, the Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association, a group of hobbyists who also knew of these tales and history. Haven’t thought about that in a long time. Fast forward, Im a backpacker and live in the CA Sierra. Very cool to see the mining, history and backpacking adventure converge. Subscribed.

[@sintax77]

That's awesome! Thanks, Kristy - welcome to the channel :)

[@mntman603]

I think I've watched every video up to the last 8 months on your channel. I have some binge watching to do.

[@mobiltec]

Great story telling.

[@quinntheeskimooutdoors6234]

Nice area, excellent stories 😊 thanks. 😊

[@150F2011]

Always enjoy your videos,I appreciate all the time spent researching the history. Also the time editing them. I look forward to our next adventure. Thanks By the way where's The "Trailkiller"?

[@garagebrewer]

I really enjoyed all the history with the scenery. Great video, man. Cheers!

[@LenserX]

Good one! I love that area.

[@BigDuke-md8ec]

Love this video , beautiful scenery and interesting story about the Dutchman. Gotta say I’m surprised that you got caught unprepared without enough canister gas or fire starters , but I guess it happens to the best of us . Keep the great videos coming !

[@cherylpearson1963]

Loved this, ty❤

[@ifonlyseethrumyeyes8957]

Great job and interesting too! Thanks ❤

[@FrontYardGardener]

Very good hike!

[@GrammelVideo]

What a great listen! Just found your channel. Good work. Makes me want to get out there and hunt around. Safe travels.:)

[@sintax77]

Thanks, and same to you! Happy to hear you enjoyed the vid :)

[@Victory1981]

Cool video! Yeah, that’s a mysterious legend. It’s been on Unsolved Mysteries…etc

[@UnPetitPique]

Thanks! Not sure whether to feel guilty or grateful as you film climbing those steep slopes :) Hope the burger was good.

[@karenanddogs6645]

Wow! What a rigorous hike! Didn't get to see the super bloom I thought might be there but a couple of century plants had grown way up there. Sure enjoyed your video. Used to seeing you hike back east. It's fun watching you hike a bit out of your element though and you are still a pro. 🙂

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Karen. We've been enjoying the different scenery out here. It's getting a little hot though, haha...

[@barbararobbins5309]

I loved this video, I had been watching for a week or so, hoping to see a new post from you. I actually turned to you tube today, and got a notice. Yay! I liked the look of this area more than the other desert ones you have done. They were all lovely, and of course very different from my native Tennessee, but your Superstition Wilderness actually had some green, I guess due to the recent rain and availability of water, and those bushes or trees with what looked like white foliage were lovely, The greenery, along with the cacti and the rocks, made a very interesting scene. Years ago, when very young, I actually took Latin in High school, and the phrase veni, vidi, vici still sticks in my mind. It's from the Gailic Wars of Caesar, and it literally means "I came, I saw, I conquered," or as you said "I did it." I was a little concerned about those rocks as you were climbing. They looked dangerous and loose. Glad you did not run into a rattlesnake resting there. This one is a great video. Thanks for sharing it with us; I am not likely to ever hike in a desert area, so it is nice to go with you, in the comfort of my nice house with a/c, running water, and a microwave etc. See you next time, and thanks for this video,

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Barbara. Everything has finally been getting a little greener around here lately, but that particular area definitely seemed a bit more alive than a lot of other parts of the Sonoran desert.

[@randomadventures2.0]

Love the SUPs! I slept in the desert just past Tortilla Flats last March. Beautiful area

[@suezaple4950]

What beautiful desert such epic views and great water source running through areas . quite the story of the skull then the body found yikes . That was some view from the top of that sumit scary stuff & interesting Hieroglyphs. What a very interesting video thoroughly enjoyed this mystery tour .

[@sintax77]

Thanks, glad you got a kick out of it! :)

[@monicaparfait8346]

Let Sara know she is missed! Sending you both good vibes 😎. Great adventure!

[@ianmccutcheon6319]

Great video. Always enjoy those old gold stories. The Lost Adams is another one . Not sure if one can get permission to search in the area it is supposed to be . Thanks Sintax

[@Boga217]

The lost Dutchman mine has to have been found long ago and kept a secret and worked dry. I know it's some rugged wilderness but if he packed it out on animals in those times with that level of primitive living with tons more danger lurking than now...someone's found it and kept it a close secret. If you hang around aj enough you'll see some old school miner's with unimogs and various other crazy equipment at the gas stations on the east side of town..they found it long ago I'm sure.

[@jenniesuter4402]

Wonderful hike Shawn! I was hoping you would find a nugget or two in the creeks under the rocks.

[@sintax77]

Maybe next time! :)

[@Nocturnal_hiking]

I've been to the trail head, back in the early 1990s. But never did anything hike around there. Now I'm going add that hike to the list. Like the way you go about your hikes. Just what you need.

[@michaelbroyer3918]

A fine video, one of your best imho. Your videography and narrative is on point. Thank you for letting me come along in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. Your homework is not unnoticed . You need to head up to the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec or Baxter State Park/Katahdin in northern Maine.

[@michaelbroyer3918]

Nova Scotia or Newfoundland/Labrador.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Michael. Maine is on the list, so I'll have to keep those spots in mind.

[@Coppersaguaro]

I’m from Arizona. This story has always fascinated me into going into the Superstitions. Many people have died looking.

[@garydavis9324]

Nice job as usual sintax77. I always enjoy your hiking videos, but adding a bit of mystery to this adventure was "icing on the cake" or should I say "ketchup on the cheeseburger". Thanks again for sharing!

[@sintax77]

"ketchup on the cheeseburger", haha. I may have to steal that one...

[@novascotianhiker9002]

There is a you tube channel, i believe its called mysteries of the Superstition Mountains, that has a lot more info on this. When the dutchman was alive there was the threat of indian attack. It was very danderous to go out in them there hills. Lots of fascinating stories.

[@FishsticksinAZ]

I live about 30 min from the Superstitions. Have spent many days and nights there, and have found several historic off trail sites. Such beautiful scenery.

[@oyetequilla5728]

I don't understand; you don't have a pot to heat water for your meal on the campfire?

[@markxthespot]

🙂Nice Job!

[@JamieKrause86]

Cool trip into the desert definitely a lot of history and little creepy lol

[@davidburgess6128]

Another awsome vid thanks man love to try that trail.

[@daveparnell3886]

Hey shawn,when you make up your map on your phone do you shoot a copy of it to a friend or family member along with an estimated return time ? Just so there is a little template to what you planed to do...

[@Pwrcritter]

Ive always been fascinated w the desert s/w.

[@1121gsm]

As a fellow Delawarean I share your love of the wide open spaces of Arizona (which we unfortunately lack in the East). A non-stop flight from Phila. to Phoenix helps too. Did Humphreys Peak, Grand Canyon, Wave Cave, Camelback, and recently most of Flat Iron. Love your video and the prior one you did with Sara. Let me know if you want to do Flat Iron. It's unfinished business.

[@alanrowley750]

sintax77 - Enjoyed the video, thanks! In the first hour of the video you walked past what appeared to be an old mine or test hole overburden pile.

[@thenomad7120]

I guess you could say Adolph truly lost his head over the lost Dutchman mine!😮😅

[@CharonXul]

I was just listening to some of the older Trail Tales episodes with sintax77 wishing for another new video! 😅

[@Jwnorton]

Veni, vidi, vici - 'I came, I saw, I conquered' - delivered to the Roman Senate by Julius Caesar in 47BC, after his victory at the battle of Zela in Turkey

[@davidkost418]

That was fun. Thanks

[@sintax77]

Thanks, David. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@LuisRuiz-sv2mz]

That was excellent story syntax. No metal detector, what a shame. So many indicators pertaining to possibility 😂😂

[@windeaglemartin1800]

Also hiking umbrella helps so much with that intense sun and heat, saved my butt on PCT!

[@treasuretom13]

An interesting place for certain..new subscriber here. I think I'd be checking out all caves

[@azgoldhunter]

Fun and informative video! I don’t want to be that guy but wanted to correct one thing I heard. Weavers Needle is not named for its shape. It was named after Pauline Weaver a frontiersmen. Once again not trying to take away anything from the great work you did on this. Question for you I wonder what camera you use. I’ve been using a GoPro but been having major issues with them overheating. In the Supes that’s been a huge issue for me filming

[@paulkick7870]

Great fun and adventure! Under all of that scree rock is where the entry to the gold mine hides.

[@sintax77]

Haha, could be. Maybe I walked right over it!

[@paulkick7870]

@@sintax77 I seriously respect all of your backpacking skills, but going anywhere without some fire starters seems to be a mistake. If you found some gold but didn't show us that, you could buy some fire starters for your next adventure.

[@perldog07]

Veni, vidi, vici means I came, I saw, I conquered.

[@Plottman]

pretty awesome

[@oyetequilla5728]

I have used a prescription bottle stuffed with vaseline soaked cotton balls. I'm thinking of adding some peppermint or other herb scents insects don't like. Enjoying so far, thank you.

[@von-iv1jo]

The zig zag petroghyph could it be of the stream you camped at the last night you camped or a veiw of the hills from the needle

[@davidgates1887]

Originally from Oklahoma, but I now live in Minnesota. I’m a army veteran spend some time in the weeds. I have two Magnatron, but they are used by archaeologist to find lost gold trek. I also have four different types of metal detectors if you ever want to get serious into spending some time in the weeds we’re talking about you know two weeks to a month at a time with metal detectors, lightweight and magnetron And we can go out and play treasure hunter if you want got the equipment I don’t know how to use it four different pin pointers and we could stock up on batteries and maybe I’ll buy a solar charger for the equipment that could be charged by the sun it’s an adventure if you’d like to take it with me and be serious about it

[@derekduncan5435]

At time stamp 12.58, when you were walking thru the shadie forest part, something went cruising by you on the trail. When I say cruising, I mean hauling ass right past you. It was going so fast that it was just a blur on the video. Did anyone else catch it, or am I the only one who caught sight of it?

[@j.l.daltoin2238]

A tent with no bottom i would not sleep well knowing a rattle snake or vermont might want to share my warmth

[@edmundcano521]

You mean a bernie sanders?😂

[@jasongartin4474]

I found 20 ounces of gold from there in 2001. Im planning another trip there in October!

[@JustinMcKinneyhiker]

At the very least , bring an Ursack to properly store your food at night. If animals get used to human food at your chosen campsites there will be problems later for other hikers who want to camp there.. Nice trip, beautiful scenery, thanks for sharing.

[@williamhamilton2787]

That was a water “map” the circle in the middle is your current location and the lines leading off show the path to the water. Larger circles indicate pools, trailing lines indicate smaller streams

[@mariaelenajarrin246]

Chicken and dumplings rejuvenated. Orangey wants a bite

[@williamgrimberg2510]

There are potable water filters that will make most water you find safe and good tasting to drink.

[@winkhvac62]

Hope to see you back on white mountain

[@Julia-Julia]

It’s amazing how little do you know about all this story…

[@cavemandancer]

Now the legend of Sintax777

[@cassandralibertywest4310]

I really enjoy this video because I normally detest the desert because it find it dreary and even frightening... But since there's been rain there this year, it's much nicer. You have a good delivery. It must have taken some getting used to talking to a camera- But you make it seem natural. That said, may dare to mention 'one' little thing that bothered me? Please don't touch Petroglyphs? They wear down soon enough. please don't touch them any more, no matter how tempting? Other than that, Thanks for doing a really enjoyable video!

[@mikethor009]

Well, you did find "oro", the spanish word for gold

[@hillbillyohio513]

Bro if we have to sleep in this little tent together I'm gonna be the big spoon 🤣. JK great video bro I'm enjoying it so far! I'm gonna subscribe!

[@sintax77]

Haha - thanks, Hillybilly. Welcome to the channel!

[@ernestgrawcock5723]

You seem to be walking through the grass and such not worried about rattle snakes??are 5hey rare in the area??😊

[@exploringitall8588]

You should get a flip fuel device that can combine fuel from another partial container, never go out with a partial

[@jasonmoon2942]

Loving this new vibe!! Don't get me wrong, I still love your East Coast vibe, but I've been out West several times, and it's hard to choose!! Thanks for all the time you put into editing!! People truly can't understand how beautiful the area you are in until they go there!!!

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Jason! That's awesome to hear :) It's definitely a different vibe, for sure. It's been fun to shed some light on what hiking's like in other parts of the country. Stay tuned for some trips up towards our other border soon as well!

[@CH-gz6yu]

So..your resuding in az now? Not on the east coast?

[@sintax77]

We've been hiding out from winter down there, but we're making our way up north for some new adventures now :)