WHY "HOG CANYON" ISNT THE CORRECT STARTING POINT

[scorpionfan2012]

Gentlemen,

There have been ‘period specific’ mining tools found in numerous locations all over the Superstitions and not just in the saddle above Willow Springs. Just because mining tools were found somewhere in the Superstitions does not mean they belonged to Jacob Waltz. If one does find mining tools in any particular location, it’s pretty much a given that it’s going to be close to a mine. But that doesn’t mean the mine is the LDM.

I see some serious issues with Hog Canyon being ‘this is the place’. If you go in via Hog Canyon then:
How are you going to see Weaver’s Needle to the South?
How are you going to find a ridge in that area where the Four Peaks line up? Sorry guys, it ain’t gonna happen.
Anybody found a two room cave in that area?
My point is that whether you follow Sims\Bark or whether you follow Holmes, Hog Canyon doesn’t line up with either of them.

IF Waltz told Julia and Reiney to go up via Hog Canyon and that’s where they went, then WHY didn’t they see ANY of the landmarks that Waltz told them about? I’ve already stated that I seriously doubt Waltz was lying to Julia because he was planning on escorting them to the mine. Therefore IF Waltz was lying then he would look like a big dope once they got into the hills. I really don’t see a decent rebuttal to that argument and until I do, I’m sticking with “Waltz was telling the truth”.

It only makes sense that whatever landmarks Waltz told them to look for; they would have been the most visible, most prominent landmarks in the area. The fact that Reiney was unable to tell Bark even ONE single landmark (!) they had located - tells me that Julia and Reiney were simply looking in the wrong place. Someone PLEASE give me a better, more logical explanation. I’m not being snooty about this; I honestly want to hear one. That’s the whole point of these forums.

The only way Hog Canyon makes any sense is because Julia and Reiney were coming from Phoenix and Hog Canyon was the first gorge they came to. Additionally, there was (supposedly) a ranch house in Hog Canyon at that time. In other words (back to square one) Julia and Reiney were completely lost from the get-go. Here is what I have good reason to believe the starting point for Waltz' directions to Julia. Waltz is starting at "The board house" = The Quarter Circle U Ranch. He was seen by the ranch owner going to the west of Miner's Needle toward Weaver's Needle and then take the Terrapin Trail north. If you get to three red hills you have gone too far. Hope this helps. Also my translation of the "Ortiz Letter" is taking "Carney Springs Trail" until you see the monumented trail and then you end up going over the hill in behind Weaver's Needle and then toward Black Top Mesa. Enough clues for now.

Best,
Ashton

. I somehow posted as Ashton. Starting with "Here is what I Good reason to believe ... Was written by scorpionfan2012. Sorry about the mixup.

Here is what I have good reason to believe the starting point for Waltz' directions to Julia. Waltz is starting at "The board house" = The Quarter Circle U Ranch. He was seen by the ranch owner going to the west of Miner's Needle toward Weaver's Needle and then take the Terrapin Trail north. If you get to three red hills you have gone too far. Hope this helps. Also my translation of the "Ortiz Letter" is taking "Carney Springs Trail" until you see the monumented trail and then you end up going over the hill in behind Weaver's Needle and then toward Black Top Mesa. Enough clues for now.