Sunday, November 17 to Thursday, November 21, 2024 (Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, AZ)

We are leaving McDowell Mountain Regional Park today and going to Lost Dutchman State Park...only about an hours drive. Check-in isn't until 2:00, so with check-out here at noon, we weren't in any hurry this morning. We went for a walk around the south loop of the campground and then finished packing up. It was just after 11:30 when we pulled out of our site and headed to the RV dump. We had a bit of a wait but about a half hour later we said goodbye to McDowell Mountain.

The hour drive took a little longer than expected due to the 112 mile long Ironman Bike Race that had the south-bound lanes of highway 87 closed for miles...all traffic was diverted to the north-bound lane. There had to have been hundreds, if not thousands of riders, as it was always bikes as far as you could see! Apparently it is a three-loop course from Tempe Beach Park, through the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community, and out to the Beeline Highway. The turnaround point was at Shea Boulevard, where we turned onto the highway...

The grand Superstition Mountains...Lost Dutchman State Park is at the base of the mountain on the left...

The entrance to Lost Dutchman State Park...

We registered at the gatehouse and were given a map with directions to site 115, a rustic site at $25/night. Steve took a picture from the empty site next door...

Wouldn't want that site, it's very close to ours...

Picture from our site...our neighbor has a similar trailer to ours...

Harry and Vicki now live nearby and arrived just before 4:00 with pizza...which we ate at the picnic table and then moved over to our chairs. We first met them at the 2012 RV Dreams Rally in Oregon and became fast friends ever since...

We sat outside until the sun went down behind the mountains and then headed inside to continue our visit. It is amazing how quickly it cools down as the sun gets lower in the sky!

Monday (Nov. 18) was chore day...laundry, drinking water, groceries, haircut for Steve and fuelling up the truck. So nothing particularly exciting!

Tuesday (Nov. 19) morning we were sitting outside when Steve happened to look up at the Saguaro in our site...and had a "double-take" on what he was seeing! At first he thought it was just a growth on the cactus, until one eye opened...an owl was enjoying the morning sun. There's also a bird nest between the two upper arms...

Steve thinks its a Western Screech Owl, wink, wink...

How cool is that?! 

Harry picked us up just after 11:00 and took us back to their new place at Canyon Vista RV Resort. They have a park model with an Arizona room...very nice, guys! Congrats! After showing us around, we sat in the living room chatting for a bit and then we headed out in their truck. After driving around and showing us the resort, we went to Oregano's for a late lunch/early dinner...

A very cool place. This was just one room in this large restaurant...

After a delicious meal, we went back to their place and continued our visit on their front deck...until about 5:30 and it was time to go home. It was wonderful seeing and catching up with you both! Thanks so much for your hospitality!

We finally had some clouds that created a beautiful sunset...

We have been to Goldfield Ghost Town a few times, but it's always worth another visit, so Wednesday (Nov. 20) morning we headed over. It's close...only about a mile back down the road and visible from our site.

The original town sprang up in 1892, peaking at 28 buildings, with a community of up to 4,000. Five years later, after prospectors had dug out all of the gold, the population deflated, and Goldfield went ghost dark. It had a sputtering revival between 1910 and 1926 (renamed as Youngsberg), then waned again. In 1943, a fire accidentally caused by an errant military training flare burned down 60% of Goldfield. Eventually all of the buildings were gone, and parts were salvaged and carted off elsewhere.

Now Goldfield booms once again -- as a commercial Ghost Town, with a sprawling array of recreated buildings, and Wild West trappings that tourists crave.

Mother Lode Mercantile...We offer unique treasures , southwest gifts, Cactus Candy, Chocolates and fun confections in our old time Candy Shoppe.

Steve took a short 40 second video...

Miner's Grill and Ice Cream Parlour (on the left) and Siphon Draw Apothecary (on the right)...

Bar G Hat Shop (on the right)...Nestled under the picturesque Superstition Mountains, the Bar G Hat Shop is your one stop shop for a great hat to shield you from the Arizona sun. Visit Bar G Hat shop today and discover the perfect hat to elevate your style. We feature Ariat and Justin Western hats, Stetson hats, and Tommy Bahama straws. Let your inner cowboy loose while you wander the 1890s Ghost Town.

There is even a shooting arcade...

Mammoth Steakhouse and Saloon...we'll show you inside later...

The Jail...

Lu Lu's Bordello...they give a 10 - 15 minute tour for $5. We did not take it...

The Cactus Shoppe...Delight all 5 of your senses in this unique shoppe that offers cacti, succulents, incense, wind chimes, and Arizona artisan creations.

Church at the Mount...This church is complete with an organ from the 1880′s, a pulpit that was once a pipe organ in the famous Hammond Theatre, pews built in 1931 in the style of the late 1800′s, chandeliers made from old wagon wheels, and a rough hewn wooden cross. Great place to get hitched or ditched!

Another view of Lu Lu's Bordello...

Steve had a look inside the outhouse...

And found this guy...

You can mine for gold in this sluice...

We've done the mine tour before...

Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad...The Superstition Scenic Narrow Gauge Railroad’s 36″ gauge train consists of a Plymouth diesel pulling a passenger car and a caboose. A mile and a half of track circles the town, and the narrated journey lasts 20 minutes. The engineer tells of the history of Goldfield, the Superstition Mountains, and the desert southwest in general.

View from the front of the train station...

We decided to take the train ride...$10/each senior for a 20 minute journey...

That's an outdoor jail cell...

Mammoth Mine, there are two other old mines in the area as well as active mining nearby...

After our train ride, it was time to head to the Saloon for lunch....Howdy Pardner! The Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon serves Appetizers and the famous Mammoth Burgers, with the Juiciest Steaks & Coldest Drinks you’ll ever lay yer hands on! Mosey down the boardwalks of this historic 1890′s Ghost Town and visit the Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon.Enjoy the authentic decor of vintage old west artifacts where you can enjoy a cold brew or sarsaparilla. The Old West Stagecoach in the Saloon is an authentic remnant from the historic town of Tombstone, Arizona. Bob Schoose purchased it back in the mid 1980′s and meticulously restored it for display in the Mammoth Saloon.

Indoor stage at the far end...

Look at all those boots and hats!

We were sitting inside and listening to the music playing thinking it was a recording...until Steve heard someone talking. He then realized that it was a fellow outside on the deck playing live! He was fabulous!
Bobby Joe Bell...

Back home we chilled for an hour and then decided to go on a hike here at Lost Dutchman. Although we modified it a bit, we took the Jacob's Crosscut and Siphon Draw Trail. We actually took the Mountain Bike Trail that started beside our site and met up with Siphon Draw. 

The campground in the distance...

See the wolf sundial...

It was a fairly easy trail, although quite rocky, and took us just over an hour...2.5 miles/4 kms with an elevation gain of 141 feet. It was a pretty warm hike with the temperature 75F/24C but we weren't the only ones out hiking in the heat of the day...there were quite a few folks out enjoying the trails.

We were sitting outside enjoying the setting sun and just about to go in when we saw a powered paraglider coming our way...Steve took a 47 second video. Very cool!

For an interesting read on the Lost Dutchman and Superstition Mountains legends of murder and mayhem Click Here

No clouds but still pretty nice!

Thursday (Nov. 21) morning shortly after 11:00, friends Chloe and Dale picked us up and we headed into town for lunch. Chloe and Dale live in Apache Junction and were the folks who graciously offered their place to store our truck and 5th wheel back in December 2018 when we flew home for Christmas. 

We went to a newly opened place called the Rusty Buckle Saloon. We enjoyed our lunch as we chatted, catching up...great seeing you both again! Thanks for your hospitality!

And that concludes our time here at Lost Dutchman State Park. Tomorrow we are moving on...further south to Tucson and another favorite, Catalina State Park.