Apache Trail is a steep, winding road through the Superstition Mountains, about forty miles long and mostly unpaved. It is not suitable for large vehicles, although I have a friend who inadvertently drove it in a large motor home. That can happen to the unaware as, once on the rough part, there are no places to turn around.
Entering from the west end, the old town of Goldfield is the first major stop. Billed as a ghost town, it's actually a fun tourist attraction built around the remains of a 19th century gold mining camp. In terms of illustrating what it was like in its heyday, Goldfield is about as authentic as it gets.
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Lost Dutchman State Park is a great introduction to the Superstitions, acquiring its name from the legend of a Dutch prospector who claimed to have discovered huge wealth, but died before cashing in. Many people have searched for it over the years, but it hasn't been found. I didn't visit the park on this trip, so no photos.
Tortilla Flat isn't a town, but a group of businesses, led by a quirky, fun restaurant. A popular day trip for the Phoenix biker crowd, the ambience and the food are truly noteworthy. A trip to the rest rooms is a special experience.
The trail roughly follows the Salt River, where several dams have created beautiful lakes for flood control, power generation, irrigation and recreation.
Most of the trail consists of wild, rugged country that many of us consider to be scenic, even beautiful. The land is covered with saguaro cacti, which only grow in the Sonoran Desert. Wildlife is plentiful here, but seldom seen due to the terrain that provides lots of hiding places. The Lower Salt River, west of the trail, is home to lots of viewable wildlife, including wild horses.
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At this point, we headed back to Florida to plan and prepare for our travels in the last half of 2006. It was a trip that I'll never forget, and I hope you will also enjoy it.
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