Dutch Hunter’s Rendezvous

September 26, 2016 © Thomas J. Kollenborn. All Rights Reserved.

The intense interest in the Dutchman’s Lost Mine and the Superstition Mountain continues to this day. Men and women from around our nation come to Arizona hoping to find their fortunes. Most find nothing or loose their fortunes and others are lucky to get away with their very lives. Sadly, some make poor choices and death or injury is no stranger to the unprepared and inexperienced in this rugged mountain range east of Apache Junction.

Prospectors have died from extreme weather conditions, from gunshot wounds, from falls, drowned in flash floods, and from natural causes. Ironically the rugged Superstition Mountains are far safer than the streets of Phoenix or the highways of Arizona. Since the early 1880s men and women have searched these rugged mountains for gold and lost mines. The most significant lost mine stories centers around an old German immigrant name Jacob Waltz. His mine was allegedly located near a prominent landmark called Weaver’s Needle just east of Superstition Mountain.   

Maintaining a camp in these mountains can be difficult at best. The trails are rough and steep, making it difficult to deliver supplies. Also pack trains (horses or mules) are a very expensive method in which to move needed items into the wilderness. Furthermore, all camps are limited to fifteen days by forest service regulations. Camps cannot be established within a quarter-of-a-mile of a water source.  This can make camping very difficult in the dry season when water is scarce.

Interest in tales of gold and lost mines still fascinate prospectors in the 21st Century.

One can easily get disoriented in these mountains if they don’t have map reading experience. No one is immune to the dangers that exist in these mountains, however caution and common sense will protect most from serious injury or death.  Each year I am amazed at the people who become involved in the search for the Lost Dutchman Mine. There is a continuous list of new prospectors who are searching the mountains for clues. 

Many years ago a businessman and prospector named Joe Ribaudo, who lives in Lake Havasu City, decided he wanted to see the Dutchman legend carried on by some kind of annual gathering. He came up with the idea of the “Dutch Hunter’s Rendezvous.” He held the first gathering just west of Twin Buttes and south of the Coke Ovens along the Gila River east of Florence. The first gathering was small with thirteen attending in October of 2005, however there was a lot of enthusiasm for the idea. The next year, the rendezvous was moved to Don’s Camp. This was accomplished with the help of Don’s member Greg Davis.

The camp is located at the base of Superstition Mountain near the Peralta Trailhead. Each year the activity is held at the end of October. The gathering has grown. It is a gathering of individuals that are extremely interested in the Superstition Mountains and its many tales and stories. This event has attracted old timers as well as contemporaries anxious to learn the stories of Superstition Mountain.

The third year, Joe handed over the organizing of the “Dutchman’s Rendezvous” to Wayne Tuttle and Randy Wright. Greg Davis continued to make the arrangements for the Don’s Camp for the rendezvous. Joe and his wife, Carolyn, retired as camp hosts. They will still greet you and say hello.

The scheduled activities include a variety of options. Friday night includes sitting around a campfire and entertaining each other by telling stories about the mountains. There is usually a guided hike on Saturday. After dark on Saturday, everyone gathers around the large Ramada to listen to a couple of guest speakers. This gathering at the Ramada is also planned for Friday evening. I have attended for last three years and I think it was an excellent opportunity to meet a variety of people from all over the United States that were interested in our history. As I look back I should have made an effort to attend and report on all of these events. Please don’t get this event confused with Lost Dutchman Days in Apache Junction. This has nothing to do with this particular event or the Apache Junction Chamber of Commerce.  Last year there were three days of this event. The interested, the curious and the very serious showed up for the event last year.  Some of the individuals drove from Texas, California, Oklahoma, New York, New Hampshire, and several other distant locations. The organizers should be proud of their accomplishment. I didn’t personally count each and everyone in attendance, but I would estimate there were about eighty to a hundred people attended last year’s “Dutchman’s Rendezvous” at Don’s Camp.

A number of old time Dutch Hunters attend, and of course they are legends in their own right. Many authors, who have published books about the Superstition Mountains and the Lost Dutchman’s mine attend.  I am not sure who are the guest speakers this year, however I am sure they will be interesting. Wayne made a big improvement last year by adding a sound system.

The Dutch Hunter’s (Dutchman’s) Rendezvous is an open event, so everyone is welcome. This year’s event is scheduled for October 21, 22 and 23, 2016. There will be guest speakers on Friday and Saturday night at the campfire gathering.

  
The camp is primitive, so you need to bring what you need to be comfortable. Be sure to bring water, food, and bedding if you are spending the night. For more information you may email Joe at havasho@frontiernet.net