The Superstition
Mountains
and the Landscape
of Central Arizona
"There are mountains
which are just mountains
and
there are mountains with
personality." ---
Lama Anagarika
Govinda
Rising just
to the east
of the
Phoenix
metropolitan
area is one
of the most
spectacular
ranges in
central
Arizona, or
in the
United
States, for
that matter
-- the
Superstition
Mountains.
A wilderness of rugged, surrealistic beauty, these cactus-strewn
mountains
are
inhospitable
and
desolate, as
well as the
setting for
one of the
American
West's
lingering
and most
endearing
legends --
that of the
Lost
Dutchman's
Gold.
But there is more in this region than just the Superstitions.
The jagged
skyline of
Four
Peaks
in the
Mazatzal
Mountains
produces
some of the
finest
Amethyst in
the world.
The string of lakes in the golden chasm of the Salt River Gorge
offers
cooling
views of
deep blue
waters.
And the Apache Trail is one of the Phoenix area's most scenic
day-drives.
On the way
back to
town, you
can take in
the giant
copper mines
of the Globe
and Miami
region.
Explore the
map below!
Click on
colored
names for
some great
views,
geological
information,
and
recommendations
for the most
scenic
settings and
landscapes.
Each name
connects you
to a scene
or series of
scenes.
Find out why
the Phoenix
area is such .
NEW --
Read about the ancient
of the
Superstition Mountains!
If you like rocks, gems,
geology, & stars in the sky,
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Sample images from Map below --
CLICK ON A NAME ON THE MAP!
Consult the "" popup window if you want more information on the map project itself.
There are currently 30 different views, woven together into a virtual tour of the Superstition Mountains area. More new pictures are being added all the time.
The derivation of the name "Superstition" is uncertain. One version has it originating with the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in the Sixteenth Century.
The Apache Indians in the area had warned him about disturbing the abode of the spirits, and indeed, many have died in their attempts to find rumored riches within the craggy canyons there.
The
area
shown
above
measures
about
50
miles
(80
km)
West
to
East,
by
40
miles
(64km)
North
to
South,
and
encompasses
approximately
2000
square
miles
(5200
km).
This map and
all contents
(C) 2024
by
Richard
Allen.
All rights
reserved.
Looking east (current image, usually updated every 15 minutes), from the Mesa area. The Superstition Mountains are the highest ones, just right of center. To their left, and slightly closer, are the Goldfield Mountains.
View courtesy of Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, at Phoenix Visibility Web Cameras.
