I joined some old friends in Arizona to run the Oatman Massacre Site trail. This trail is suitable for any 2wd vehicle with high clearance but takes you to a historical site where some pioneers were bruttally attacked by Indians. The Charles Wells book describes it as such:

"In 1851, traveling what later became the Butterfield Stage Route, Royce Oatman was determined to get to California with his wife and five children. While struggling with tired oxen to climb the rocky hill east of the marker, they were savegely attacked by Indians. Three children survived: Olive, age 16; Mary Ann, age 10; and Lorenzo, age 14. Mary Ann and Olive were taken by the Indians. Mary Ann died in captivity but Olive survived to live with the Indians for five years. Lorenzo was badly beaten but managed to struggle back to civilization to tell his story. The family was buried 0.3 miles east and slightly north of the massacre site."

For a more detailed account see: http://www.discoverseaz.com/History/Oatman.html

Airing down just north of Interstate 8 at Agua Caliente Road.




One of our member's RIPP supercharger:


A lone saguaro along the trail heading north:


Entering the Gila River basin:


Taking a break at the Fourr's cemetary.


One of our members takes his Ford Ranger pickup through a watercrossing by the Gila River:








At the Gila River


The original dirt road that crosses the river is washed away by high waters from recent rains:


Looking downstream along the Gila River:


The supercharged Wrangler JK with 5.13 gears and 37s.


The Oatman Family Grave site


Lunch


Some managed to stay cleaner than others:


I however got a little muddy....


On our way to the massacre site




Standing on the old Butterfield Stage Route and Mormon Battalion Trail


Paul points out the old wagon wheel tracks


The Oatman family was climbing up this rocky hill just before being attacked


Hangliders in the distance


Airing up

 

Looks like it was a good time! This is the perfect time of year to get out there, before it gets too hot!!

 

looks like fun, thx for sharing, might hook with yall one day soon i hope and do some trails with ya,

 

Wow, cool stuff and great pics!

 

Man.....thanks for the post. SRP must be moving alot of water over/though Tempe Town Lake and all the Salt Lakes for the Gila to be moving like that down there.

 

Yeah I bet. The Salt actually had water in it at the I-10 bridge in Phoenix. I wish I would have had more time to explore up stream.

 

Thanks for sharing, I googled the whole Oatman story.. very interesting read

 

How far is this area from Tonto Basin? Looks like you guys and gals had a good time.

 

I have a couple of books that talk about the Oatman Massacre. Pretty cool to see your pics. Thanks for posting them.

 

Thanks! Are you talking about Tonto Basin near Roosevelt lake?

The Oatman grave site is southwest of Gila Bend about 10 miles north of Interstate 8. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...26393&t=h&z=16