The "Valley of The Sun" metropolitan area, which includes Phoenix and a bunch of surrounding towns, has a permanent population of nearly five million, plus hundreds of thousands of snowbirds (like me) who flock here for the winter months. A good percentage of these drive motorcycles to enjoy the many mountain roads that feature lots of curves and scenery. The Apache Trail, at least the paved portion, attracts huge numbers of bikers, especially on week-ends. The "ghost town" of Goldfield is one popular destination on the trail, regardless of transportation mode.
After gold was discovered in the Superstition Mountains in 1892, the town of Goldfield was formed the next year. With some fifty mines in the area, Goldfield grew to a population over 4000, with all the commercial operations necessary to support that number of people. However, the boom only lasted five years. When the gold mines played out, most people moved on to other discoveries, such as the Klondike gold rush of 1898. Very few prospectors hung on here, convinced they would find new veins and get rich.
Early in the 20th century, new mining equipment and techniques led to a second boom, but it only lasted about five years, just as the first did. Again, a few folks stayed and worked the old mines and searched for new strikes, but even they eventually gave it up. In 1984, Robert Schoose purchased the remains of the town and started a long process of restoring it to become a tourist attraction. Today, Goldfield is a thriving operation with numerous buildings, a narrow gauge railroad, mine tours and characters dressed in period costumes. Old west gunfights are staged to provide an "authentic" view of the boom days.
For bikers, an even more popular spot along the Apache Trail is the "town" of Tortilla Flat, population six. The exterior of the restaurant and other buildings were included in a previous travelogue, Apache Trail, AZ (3/3/2019), but the place was so packed that day I chose not to fight the crowd by going inside. Instead, I came back early on a week day, before the bikers started arriving.
The main draw is the restaurant/saloon with its colorful decor, not to mention good food and drink. It claims to be the last surviving stage coach stop on the Apache Trail, serving travelers for more than 100 years. Another claim is "the largest burgers, the hottest chili and the coldest drinks in the West". Notice the Western style bar stools and walls/ceilings papered with thousands of dollar bills.
Even the rest rooms reflect the whimsical nature of the place. It hasn't changed at all since my first visit in 2006.
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