Stewards of the Superstition Wilderness Area;
Civilian "watchdogs" and volunteer patrols that protect, monitor, and conduct rescue operations in the Superstition Wilderness Area are primarily made up of several specialized non-profit groups, land trusts, and volunteer sheriff posses.
Because the wilderness spans rugged territory across multiple counties and borders both public and state trust lands, different groups handle distinct aspects of "watching over" the area:
1. Environmental & Preservation Watchdogs
• Superstition Area Land Trust (SALT): Founded by concerned local residents, SALT acts as an explicit watchdog and conservation group. They primarily monitor development projects, protect the delicate Sonoran Desert foothills bordering the wilderness, and deploy volunteer Trail Stewards to monitor the land.
• Wild Arizona:
This conservation group deploys the "Wild Stew" Volunteer Crew, which actively hikes deep into the heart of the Superstitions to monitor, survey, and map unofficial "social trails" to protect the area from habitat degradation.
2. Wilderness Search, Rescue, and Trail Patrols
• Superstition Search and Rescue (SSAR):
Operating for over three decades, SSAR is a highly prominent, independent volunteer service organization. They patrol the wilderness and respond to active and cold cases—tracking lost treasure hunters, rendering wilderness first aid, and rescuing injured hikers from the unforgiving terrain.
• County Sheriff SAR Posses:
Because the Superstitions are notoriously dangerous, civilian volunteers form the backbone of official tracking and patrol efforts through county-level organizations:
• MCSO Search & Rescue Posse (Maricopa County): Heavily trained civilian volunteers who patrol the western approaches of the wilderness.
• PCSO Search and Rescue Posse (Pinal County): Citizen volunteers who handle a massive volume of emergency calls and coordinate ground patrols on the southern and eastern sides of the mountains.
3. Historical and "Dutchman" Watchdogs
• The Lost Dutchman Seekers:
Informally, the area is constantly monitored by a tight-knit, unofficial community of avid historians, hikers, and treasure hunters dedicated to the legend of the Lost Dutchman Mine. While not an official patrol, these seasoned locals frequently act as eyes and ears on the ground, reporting trail hazards, tracking water availability, and assisting stranded hikers.
- Geowizard
