The Haunting History of Skull Cave: A Hike Through Time and Tragedy

Embark on a challenging hike to Skull Cave, also known as Skeleton Cave and Apache Cave, located near Canyon Lake. Discover the chilling history and untold mysteries of this infamous site as we explore its dark past. Skull Cave, a rock shelter perched 1,200 feet above the river, was once a hideout for the Yavapai people during the 1872 Tonto Basin Campaign. On December 28, 1872, General George Crook and the 5th Cavalry launched a deadly assault, leaving over seventy Yavapai victims in the cave. Forgotten for decades, the cave was rediscovered in 1908, revealing the tragic remnants of its history. Join us as we bring this eerie legend to life and reflect on the events that shaped Skull Cave's legacy.
Hashtags: #SkullCave #SkeletonCave #ApacheCave #CanyonLakeHike #YavapaiHistory #TontoBasinCampaign #HauntedHike #SuperstitionMountains #ArizonaHistory #DarkTourism
As an added bonus feature, the following is a link to a 360 degree view of our hike up to the cave and inside. • Hike to Skeleton Cave ...

[@TUCOtheratt]

Enjoyed the multiple perspectives. Everyone tends to disagree about who is to blame for history. Personally, I prefer to not judge people outside of the perspective of the times and circumstance in which they lived.

[@bethbartlett5692]

Going to a site like this, with a group that has arespect and a Passion for the History, with the Tools and the Desert Knowledge, would be a major experience.

[@marykontos5053]

Thank you for this respectful treatment of the cave. I'm just an old white lady, but my blood boils...The people of this country should know more of these stories. The area should be preserved.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

@mike d we'll go up in a flash of white hot light and the survivors will die of radiation sickness. There won't be any people.

[@garymills562]

Apache meant enemy to most tribes, they raided other tribes and practiced mutilation of the dead. Similar to the suiox and other plains indians. The settlers were few and far in-between. Mexican and American ranchers suffered much slaughter, thus the fort mcdowell and fort apache, fort bowie, calvary posts. The Mexican government offered 50 dollar bounty for male apache scalp, less for women and children. The making them as martyrs is ridiculous.

[@phillipseaton7163]

You know it's amazing anyone lived long enough to make history

[@dan-ub2hr]

About 20 or so years ago I got some friends to help me get my camping gear up to the Skull Cave. I set up my tent and gear then they all went back home and I spent the next week in the cave all by myself. One night while sleeping in my tent I heard a loud rumbling noise. I thought the mountain was caving in on me but then I saw a flash of lightning and realized what I heard was thunder echoing back and forth across the canyon. The rain came and a waterfall came over the mouth of the cave but I was in the cave and protected. That was one of the best adventures I have ever had and I've had on a lot of them. Dan Talbot

[@almirria6753]

They only took photos & left behind their footprints, to photograph a historical/sacred place. Well done gentlemen, well done.

[@fargoholmes5442]

I look forward to these videos all the time, I appreciate yall so much

[@clintxxxracerx9435]

I’m really happy to see these young MEN showing their respect to the significance of this historic site! This shows the EXCEPTIONAL PARENTING that they have been fortunate to be a part of. My fellow Blue Brothers, my hats off to you! My name is Clint as well!

[@Beartracks51]

Thanks again for another great episode..I'm proud to be born an raised Arizona.. I left Phoenix in 93 came out to the boonies north of Snowflake an lived over 25 yearz off grid on land I owned among the Anasazi ruins.. history just oozing everywere here ,an in this Beautiful Gorgeous State.. ill health forced me to town were my son an I live for past 2 yearz.. such a Blessed life we have lived all these years many sarrows aswell tht come with a life in the wilderness off grid as they call it these dayz.. I wouldnt trade any of it for anything.. we lived in many ways like early pioneers did for over half my life up here.. I love the Superstitions i miss the sonoran desert. I dont miss how big the valley has grown. The places we would go back in the day that was all desert is no longer desert..its all built up now. It breaks my heart . I dont blame all those folks comming here to live Arizona is most definitely a speacial place were God put his Mark an I'm proud to be born an die here. God bless you guys .your All great people I look forward to the next mystery of the Superstitions.

[@brucemartin1663]

I did my fair share of hiking in AZ in the late 70s early 80s..I wish I had met you fellas back then.This is a hike I would enjoy doing and take in the history of the event first hand and to pay my respect to the Native Americans who perished there.Turning 60 next year but feel I am still up to the challenge..I hope to make the journey and if not I have your wonderful channel here to learn and see all of the great mysteries of the superstition mountains 👍😁😁

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I'm nearly 60 myself this year. Get going Bruce.

[@KarinaTheDreama]

I LOVE it when u guys come out w these new vids & I LOVE all your info , stories. And I would've loved to meet Mr Bradshaw in my prime if he were single. Good DNA like mine. 💖⚡️👍❤️🤪😆😊

[@darrinwright6758]

As I was getting ready to play this video another one showed up with Charlie in it. God bless him, he left us way to soon. God bless all you guys for keeping the stories alive. Keep up the great job.

[@TheHebrew]

Very interesting, thank you for taking us along.

[@mlgauss60435]

Another awesome video. I also believe there would be spirits there, especially how violently they were killed. May their souls find some peace.

[@mlgauss60435]

@Hank Sheffer pride cometh before a fall?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Some places are very spiritual.

[@Oldnoitall]

Wow wow another good one thanks Marshal is the man ! Hank Will get you boys fur leaving them Old comments like that ☠️

[@bryanpeterson9846]

The next generation of explorers and story tellers. Thank you.

[@googleisslime8075]

A very cool but sobering video. Thank you for sharing your adventure...

[@brucelonsdale8422]

Thank you.

[@jbos5107]

This is the third of your videos I've watched this morning, it's 4:48 am here in Georgia. You guys made me smile. Thank you so much!

[@Max_R_MaMint]

Howdy, neighbor. South Carolina here

[@nedrakrodgers7976]

So sad. I understand the feeling there. So many souls lost there. Hope others respect that.

[@garethh6962]

Adventure is fun and this was a great adventure which has made part of this great story.

[@motorcycleparty]

thanx gentlemen that was entertaining

[@Ayorkshiremansdailygrind]

them mountains have drawn people to them for many different reasons and always will , its all part of the mysteries of the superstition mountains . great video 🎥👍👍

[@DanaHWhite]

This is an important addition both to the story of Native Americans, and to the continuing mystique of the Superstition Mountains. I loved it.

[@TheDisabledGamersChannel]

You guys make such amazing quality content, i can't ever watch enough, i need more !

[@scotts3938]

Thanks for another fascinating story about Arizona's history. You guys do a great job of bring history to life.

[@gosparky99]

Thanks for another great video guys! I just love your channel and learning about Arizona history. One subject that I'd like to hear more about is the history of the property use and ownership in the Superstitions. In various videos I've heard you talk about ranches, like the JF Ranch, Reavis Ranch, and the Quarter Circle U, and I wonder who and when they were established and how they relate to each other in the timeline along with all the mining that was going on. How did property get changed from Territorial land to mining claims to ranches to the US Forest Land? Were there a bunch of little parcel owners like at the Board House and where Hermann Petrasch lived that got bought out? Was the whole area ever privately owned? Did Bob Ward own the property where his cabin was? How did the Forest Service get it? These are the kind of things I've wondered about while watching. Again, THANK YOU for what you're doing!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I guess it got resumed by the Government. One or two ranchers can't fight the whole Federal Government. Or maybe the owner donated the land when they were the last family member alive.

[@johnsmith-gk4td]

Great video!

[@edwardmorgan9411]

Awesome channel and videos, keep the mystery’s alive!

[@eileenjones1083]

My grandfather was in the first non-native expedition into Skull Cave with an Arizona Highways group. My grandfather had a full set of photographs taken at that time. My grandfather's collection contained fragments of Cavalry uniforms & spe b t shells & fabric from the Yavapai Indians who were killed that day. My grandfather told a more interesting version of this story. I gave the photos to my brother who donated them to a historical museum in Bisbee. The story is also told in "On the Border With Crook".

[@mysteriesofthesuperstition6793]

Very Interesting love to see those photos

[@craigjohnson2771]

Well done 👍👍

[@larryhedrick254]

Cosme: regardless of commits made by individuals that were on the trip, the Indians were not unarmed and after being given two opportunities to surrender and an additional opportunity to send out the women and children they chose to fight to the death. 30 women and children were captured and taken to Fort McDowell.

[@robertporch281]

You guys are the best ole Charlie loving it great show thanks to all of you … son of a longhorn in east Phoenix …

[@tinytattoomike7943]

Excellent video aquachigger also has a really good video on the skeleton cave from 4 years ago 😉

[@tballstaedt7807]

I'm not sure if they mentioned the original bullet holes in the cactus outside the cave.

[@yellowboy1866]

There are lots of bullet holes in the near by cactus, from the ndn returning fire.

[@douglasturner6153]

Problem is the Apache's ran off other Indian's first. They raided and killed other Indian's and then the Spanish and Mexicans. The Comanches were also doing the same and pushing Apache's westward. That was the lifestyle of Apache's. But no one can last long just raiding and killing other people. It caught up with them. Let's face it.

[@carlsonjimbo]

Great show!

[@religionispoison6838]

They ended up getting revenge on the white man in the form of casino's...

[@tjrubicon5463]

Many different versions. The cavalry was led to this cave by Native Americans in the Phoenix valley who were being raided by these people in the cave. There is a Skull cave to the west a few miles. It looks like a skull when viewed from the lake. The trail to Skeleton cave has some narrow points. I went up, about 1990, with two guys from work, one of who pointed out, after I passed, a coiled rattler inches from where my head had been.

[@alanlangley7246]

Wow idk , thanks .

[@scottgrigsby4210]

this is so cool, rock on

[@scottgrigsby4210]

ok guess I was wrong, they were Yavapai's I stand corrected,

[@scottgrigsby4210]

Yavapai's? I thought they were apaches

[@chrislouden6702]

Actually Camp Grant massacre was the worst to happen to Apache or Yvapai

[@georgedoughty6679]

Interesting…"

[@stephenmartini5890]

The only obstacle besides the crooked tongues of the settlers and Government that brought an end to the Native American people(s) was that of fire power. it was a real shame of the thousands of tribes who were literally, wiped out from coast to coast and border to border. But, such was the true happenings upon a people who roamed and live for a thousand years before the while man pushed his way West. You guys have a real gift of telling the real history that should be preserved for all time.

So sad, but this is history.

[@cosmetrujillo5103]

Heroic and honorable battle shooting on unarmed people in a cave

[@jordanhicks5131]

They were armed you goof. And they refused two offers to surrender before any shooting started.

[@nuclearskull]

WE'RE FROM THE GOVERNMENT!! WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!

[@lvtpapa7]

My people are determined in our way of life and remain so today, therefore not giving up under those conditions. Now do one on the doctrine of discovery.

[@Dan-sd5bm]

Please Don't call it a "Battle" call it what it was a Ruthless Massacre

[@jordanhicks5131]

Bullshit, they were given 2 chances to surrender and they were armed. They refused to surrender and fired on the cavalry. It was a battle

[@chrisskinner6291]

His story so hard 2 believe anything told

[@eileenjones1083]

Spent*

[@prex345]

Sad what the sheriff's department has become.

[@henryruiz5891]

Hiss teeth can tell the story ¡!!¡!

[@Starfish2145]

Basically the army intruded upon the site and murdered these natives. Disgusting!! Do not glorify this 😡

[@richardbowers3647]

Gonna wait for the other story (the other's side) & stick my neck out here. Seems like some dancing around in this narrative. Even the comments seem odd since these people were forced to live in a cave to survive where before they had many square miles to forage & live in villages. Then after their land was taken & chiefs were killed off the authorities show up at the cave to demand a surrender or else. Something doesn't add up even though all are telling the truth or their version of it. Just maybe the other side of the story won't be too long in coming.

[@terriewise8422]

All about narratives nowadays..seems like you have to look pretty hard to see both sides of the story. Any story!

[@joshweickum]

introduction WAY TOO LOUD

[@matthewbernard4152]

Those boys are not well spoken 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@richardjohnson4373]

I guess the horrible things the Apache indians did to the settlers and the spanish in that area mean nothing. I guess being scalped alive is not painful. After such misstreatment at the hide out I guess we should Just give all the land back after all they were here first. I would like some more info about the young baby who walked out and was taken out of the gun fire by the soldier and lived.

[@Catlife247]

Something is wrong with you dude! Typical confed...yuk! Your generation is dying and what a great place the world will be when you're all gone 😹🤣

[@richardjohnson4373]

@@Catlife247 I must apologize and say I just wanted all the facts to be brought out. I hope you can sleep easier at the reservation. Drink some fire water it helps.

[@connie3527]

@@Catlife247 I don't think that name calling, ageism or death wishes are necessary here, as I doubt you know anything at all about the person you left the comment for. I do think that horrible atrocities occurred on both sides as settlers moved west to establish the country we know, love and reside in today. I'm pretty certain that we can all agree about that. Sadly, it seems that there will always be confrontation, conquest, bitterness and power struggles amongst humans. Thinking about what we are about to say and do in advance of saying it and doing it, would be a good place to start working on that and that applies to ALL of us.

[@cyl0cybyn]

Richard Johnson, yeah it means something. What it means to you I'm not sure.

[@richardjohnson4373]

@@cyl0cybyn it means to me that yes it was a bad thing when people chose to die for a something they believe in. To quote Abraham Lincoln " . . . Paid the last full measure of devotion . . ." I am sorry they died but just like The great geneeal Robert Edward Lee had to fly the white flag and go talk peace terms with general Grant to bring the killing to a end they had a chance to come out. Just like the arabs they like to use their women and children out front as a shield to stop there adversary from shooting in on them. I love the way the story is told by Mr. trimble "they stayed defiant." So sorry but the Indians were not nice people to the local inhabitants have you ever heard of war paint do you even know what that means? Their rule of law was kind of barbaric. As General Sherman said "war is hell" you have to realize this going into the fight. Just like with every war there will be casualties. That is why untill we as humans learn to live by the governance of Christ Jesus we will continue to beat our plows into swords.

[@mimisoto7521]

I can't even listen to there horror story's!

[@tophyl7558]

Just butchery