There are many legends associated with the Superstition Mountains and the lost gold mines. Prior to the 1846-1848 Mexican-American war, this area was part of Mexico. One of the prominent Mexican families in the area was the Peralta family who were miners and had a ongoing battle with the Apache Indians. At the end of the war, the international border was being moved south such that this would now become American territory. Supposedly the Peralta family was gathering their gold before the border moved and encountered the Indians in the area of what is now known as Massacre Grounds. Some stories have it that the Mexicans were driven off the cliffs, others have it that they scattered and the Indians left with the mules after cutting loose the gold bags. There is apparently no evidence that gold was ever actually mined in the Superstition’s but many men have died trying to find the ‘lost’ mines.

The trail starts at the Jacobs Crosscut TH along First Water Rd. It’s 2.9 miles from the TH to the high cliffs where the massacre took place with an 1,100 foot elevation gain and it is a popular destination. The trail is rated moderate with only one short section with a steep ‘chute’ that takes a little extra time and choosing where to get the best traction. I have also approached it from other directions, which is essentially a ‘bushwhack’ following some drainages and pushing through some brush.

The waterfall flows infrequently and only for a short time after a heavy rain in the area. It does make for a spectacular sight and you will unlikely be alone as many others will make the trek to observe and photograph a waterfall in the otherwise arid desert.