I'm sharing another of my research projects for treasure hunting in Arizona. Now that I've relocated, and my team has passed away, I am not pursuing these. I figured I don't want to waste the research when someone else who is ready to investigate can take it and run. Good luck!
In the 1870s, two prospectors were in a Phoenix store when they saw an Indian paying for supplies with gold nuggets. The store owner mentioned to the men that the Indian was a Yavapai who lived about 50 miles to the north. He came to the store usually once a year with gold.
The prospectors decided to follow the Indian. They ventured into the malpais (bad country or badlands) north of Phoenix. They crossed three sources of water; Skunk Creek, the New River, and Agua Fria River. In an arroyo they found lots of gold.
Near the large pueblo at Tuzigoot the men worked around the clock mining gold. So preoccupied with the $80,000 dollars worth they collected (at 1870 pricing which today would be around $17,500,000 worth), they forgot it was the badlands. A small band of Indians shot at them, killing one of the men. The other partner hid and managed to survive. It was said he buried the treasure east of the arroyo and took a sample he could carry with him. Afraid he might forget the location, he stuck a pick into an old Saguaro to mark the location.
The survivor went away. In later years, he wanted to go back to the mining area, but he was too feeble. He left last words about the mine being in Black Canyon. There should be a leftover pick in the rocks, thus calling the claim the "Lost Pick Mine." Some believe it is the richest claim in Arizona.
Some folks today believe the treasure is south of the Gila River and some believe it is in the arroyos around Sycamore Canyon.
From what I could discern, Cottonwood Creek Rd. (BLM land) on a tributary of the Aguar Fria River, there are lots of old Saguaros (they live hundreds of years) and near the Tip Top Mine, showing there is gold in the area.
