Peter’s mesa is at the center of Superstition Wilderness treasure legends. I was a member of an expedition to the top of the Mesa March 2008. This is a sunset view, looking south, southwest. Light raking across the desolation and an approaching storm behind Miner’s Needle create a fascinating spectacle. Ancient volcanism, apparent throughout the Superstition Wilderness, is here seen in the texture, form and type of rock as well as the mineral deposits. Miner’s Needle, like Weaver’s Needle (no seen in this view), are eroded volcanic summits. Look closely for the “eye” of Miner’s Needle, backlit by the storm cloud itself lit by the setting sun. To this day, hopeful prospectors search for gold nuggets around the Needle. There is one form of volcanism present today as an eerie rumble or hiss, similar to an enormous distant jet engine. We heard now and then during our two days on the mesa, louder and closer than a overhead plane could produce. The view includes many notable Sonoran desert plants. Many young Saguaro cactus are in the form of green poles and, on the rim of the ravine running left to right below the closer ridge, an excellent specimen with multiple arms. Catching the dramatic light, on the ridge is a tall single flower of an Agave, known as the “Century Plant” it flowers once in a long life and dies.
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Peters Mesa is named after “Old Pete” Gottfried Petrasch, father of Hermann and Rhiney Petrasch. Old Pete worked for Jim Bark for awhile in the 1890s doing odd jobs. Irregular employment gave Pete and Sons time to s searched for the Lost Dutchman Mine in the years following the death of the source of the legend, the “Dutchman” Jacob Waltz. The Petrasches were one of the first groups to search for the mine, and gold in general. They covered almost the entire Superstition range in their combined searches.
On our first day on the Mesa we came across the remains of one of these camp, on the top of Squaw Canyon. This was only deplorable junk a presumably disappointed bunch of searchers were too lazy to cart out. That March, we were lucky to find the remants of winter rains in the form of a meager trickle at the bottom of a shallow draw off Peter’s Mesa trail up from La Barge canyon. We had a good time of it until the trip was cut short by a storm front and torrential rains. We were back in Apache Junction before they hit.
This panorama is from our last evening on the Mesa. As the sun set I put the Kodak DSLR with a 50 MM lens on a Manfrotto tripod and hiked a mile higher onto the mesa for a view of Miner’s Needle. I quit only after the last light was extinguished by the approaching front. My reward for persistence was this dramatic light ennobling a craggy desolation. This is a composite of several images, combined using Photoshop. I have since invested in a Canon 24 mm wide angle lens.
Here is another Superstition Wilderness Episode
Copyright 2017 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved
What a beautiful part of the country in the history behind it all it was so fascinating to read ..
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Agree, Mary Lee. I was privileged to experience it on this particular expedition. Thanks for visiting.
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Stunning – I particularly love the clouds behind the peak – just gorgeous.
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Thanks, Sarah. I enjoyed recalling that moment while creating this image.
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Postcard Perfect! 🙂
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The compliment is appreciated, Tom. It would be a foot long post card. ha.
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Magnificent! Photos were beautifully capture and processed. Thank you for the tour!
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Thanks for the compliments and the visit, Amy. My pleasure.
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Impressive images! Well done – the lighting is well captured here!
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Walking back in the dark was the most difficult part of catching that light….I needed to wait until just before the sun went down and it gets dark quickly. It was a long walk back.
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I too am admiring the light behind the peak, and wondered how long it took for that particular moment to arise. In reading through the comments it became clear. As a well invested creative, an instant for the viewer may be hours for the photographer! Well worth the investment, I believe, Michael.
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Miner’s Needle is off the beaten track and not as well known as Weaver’s Needle that can be seen with less time and effort investment (“Only” an hour or two hike).
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Beautiful picture 🙂
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Thank You
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