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Location: The Superstition Mountains of California are located Northwest of El Centro in the desert. The area is a gunnery range used by the US Navy. Access is either partially or totally denied. GPS: 115º 50.0' x 32º 57.0'
History: The history of the Superstition mountains has always contained references to weird noises eminating from deep within caverns located throughout the mountain. Both Indians and prospectors have told of the groans heard coming from the mountain.
Ralph L. Caine, a geologist, came up with an interesting theory concerning the legend of Aztlan the home of the Aztec Indians. His theory was that the Superstition mountains fit the description used by the Aztecs to describe their ancient birth land. The Aztecs and the Pueblo Indians both share a similar story of their entry into the known world. They describe living in a vast underground cave surrounded by a gigantic lake. The cavern is shaped like a giant inverted bowl with a roof of solid stone. They further describe their island as having blue mountains to the west, red mountains to the north, white mountains to the south, and yellow mountains to the east. When looking to the north, one would see the Laguna mountains which cast a blueish tone. To the south are the snow-capped mountains of Baja known as the Sierra San Pedro Martir. Looking west, one would see the Mecca hills which contain red sandstones and to the east one would see pale yellow sand dunes called the Algodones. Caine put forth the idea that the mountains contain a huge cave formed when the mountain was nothing more than a high plateau with a large overhang. As the end of the plateau eroded away, a cavern was made by the closing off of the sides of the overhang. To view an animation of this process, click here. In ancient times, the Superstition mountains were nearly surrounded by the Lake Cahuilla as mentioned by the Indians.
Could this be the ancient Aztlan of the Aztec Indians? If so, there is an interesting side note concerning this city. When the Spanish were busy plundering and murdering the Aztecs, the Aztecs supposedly sent their huge hoard of priceless gold artifacts to their ancient birth place. Could the cavern known to exist in Superstition mountain be the resting place for the fabulous wealth? The thought of all of those artifacts hidden under the mountain should be enough to allow a research team to make an expedition. As noted above, the Navy controls most of this area now so special permission would be required. The history that could be uncovered should be enough of an enticement to try.
| The image to the right is a relief map showing the Superstition mountain relative to the surrounding land. |  |
Ralph Caine has written at least two books on this subject. One I do not have, is called Aztlan. The other which I do have, is titiled Legendary and Geological History of Lost Desert Gold.
References: Legendary and Geological History of Lost Desert Gold by Ralph L. Caine published in 1951 and Desert Lore of Southern California by Choral Pepper, former publisher of Desert Magazine.
