The Apache Trail follows an old route the Apaches once traveled through the canyons along the Salt River. Later the stagecoach took this route from Globe to Mesa. The road was created in 1905 to transport supplies from Phoenix and Globe to the construction site of the Roosevelt Dam. First on the trail is the “authentic” Goldfield ghost town, which is a pretty good reconstruction.
There were plenty of other tourists there wandering around spending money! I will admit that the old equipment lying around looks very authentic!
At least we found this ghost town which is more than I can say for the last one we searched for.
Canyon Lake, the first of three we passed that were created along the Salt River, has several camping areas in the Tonto National Forest. It twists through a narrow gorge for ten miles.
Tortilla Flat is quite the tourist attraction. It was the last remaining stage coach stop along the Apache Trail. The population now is six.
It is said that the Lost Dutchman, Jacob Waltz, laid the cornerstone for the restaurant.
The saloon walls are entirely covered with one dollar bills.
And not to forget a visit to the bathrooms. I am glad they were both empty except for us!
Next door in the general store we found the famous prickly pear ice cream. What a treat! It resembles strawberry.
As we left the pavement we went through the deepest of several washes on the gravel road that we would travel for 22 miles, much of it like a bad washboard.
So down the road we went.
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