Broadway Cave, AZ

Anyone who has traveled on Highway 60 in the area of Apache Junction and admired the Superstitions certainly has noticed the scar on the south side, which, when highlighted by the sun, forms the shape of a D alongside an apparent cave high on the mountain. Let this serve as your playbill for an adventure that led the participants into a sordid tale of treasure, greed, and murder. The facts are scarce and were passed on by word of mouth. The aged sources were living here in the mid-1900s when the story takes place. As avid treasure hunters, a man and woman located a hidden treasure in the Broadway Cave in the form of coins. Upon securing their treasure, they sought out information and potential buyers for their prize. They did not count on the onslaught of corrupt officials and scoundrels that appeared on the scene. The pair were murdered for their find and join the list of unsolved murders, few of which were ever investigated.


Access to the Broadway Cave Trail starts at the Broadway Trailhead. Take Jacobs Crosscut #58 one half mile to the junction with the Lost Goldmine Trail. Take the left fork and continue to the next intersection marked only as Trail. Take the right fork, which is the Monument Canyon Trail. Take the Monument Canyon Trail .40 miles to a large cairn. To the right is the Broadway Cave Trail. The cave is slightly visible from the start of the trail high above and to the right. Gloves and a walking stick are great accessories as the elevation gain is 380 feet in a third of a mile. The mysterious spray painter has left his mark a couple of times to help negotiate the trail, which is steep at times and hard to follow. Note land features on the way up as the trail back down is hard to follow as well. Loose scree can make it a challenge. Mature cactus surround the trail, and scenic rock outcroppings abound. About one hundred feet from the cave, all cactus disappear. The cave is massive and could easily provide shelter for many dozens comfortably. At the northeast end of the cave, obvious diggings have occurred. A tunnel leads about fifty feet to an abrupt end. This is the reported area where the treasure was recovered, and subsequent diggings have occurred. Enjoy the views, perhaps spend the night then return the way you came.

2008-12-02 AZLOT69