White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah
The stark, majestic landscape of southern Utah, a realm of towering plateaus and cliffs painted in a symphony of earth tones, cradles within its rugged embrace numerous legends and whispered tales. Among these captivating narratives, one stands out, beckoning with the allure of riches and the mystery of the unknown: the story of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah.
This captivating legend begins with an aging prospector named George Brankerhoff, who confided in John Lorenzo Hubbell, the future proprietor of the renowned Hubbell Trading Post. Brankerhoff spoke of a hidden cavern nestled within the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah, a geological marvel adorned with white quartz stalactites encrusted with shimmering gold. The reason behind Brankerhoff’s decision to share this extraordinary secret, rather than pursuing the claim himself, remains shrouded in mystery, adding another layer to the enigma of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah.
In 1870, when Brankerhoff shared his tale, John Lorenzo Hubbell was a young man, working diligently as a sutler’s clerk at Fort Wingate, New Mexico. The story of the gold-laden cavern etched itself into Hubbell’s memory. He never heard from the old prospector again, but the lure of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah, remained.
Three years later, at the youthful age of 20, the adventurous Hubbell embarked on a solitary journey to Utah, determined to follow Brankerhoff’s directions and unearth the legendary gold ledge. Recalling the prospector’s account with remarkable clarity, Hubbell first traveled to Kanab, Utah, and then proceeded to Johnson Creek before turning eastward towards the imposing White Cliffs. He meticulously followed the base of the cliffs, venturing to within three miles of Deer Springs Wash, where he anticipated finding a distinctive V-shaped cleft pointing downwards. According to Brankerhoff’s description, this cleft would appear partially blocked by fallen sandstone, yet a narrow opening would allow access to the cavern. Beyond this crevice, a small spring would vanish into the rocks beneath the V-shaped entrance. Squeezing through the gap, one would emerge into a spacious cavern, its ceiling adorned with icicle-like quartz formations, glistening with the promise of gold. This was the location of White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah.
Despite his experience as a seasoned desert traveler, Hubbell’s search proved fruitless. He spent weeks meticulously examining the White Cliffs, yet the elusive V-shaped opening remained hidden from his sight. Defeated, he decided to travel north to Panguitch, Utah, a town approximately 65 miles north of Kanab, hoping to glean additional information from the local inhabitants.
In Panguitch, Hubbell secured a position at a local general store, but his efforts to integrate into the community were thwarted by prejudice stemming from his Mexican heritage. Furthermore, his budding relationship with a local girl ignited the jealousy of a prominent Christian bishop. The situation escalated into a violent confrontation, culminating in a gunfight and an attack by a group of local men. Though wounded in the melee, Hubbell defended himself, killing two of his attackers. He then fled Panguitch, stealing a horse and escaping to Lee’s Ferry, Arizona. It was clear that he would receive no assistance from the locals regarding the terrain of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah.
After recovering from his injuries, Hubbell returned to his birthplace in Parajito, New Mexico. A few years later, he would begin building his vast Indian Trading Post empire. Yet, the allure of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah, remained a constant presence in his mind. Over the following decades, he sought to entice numerous prospectors into searching for the legendary ledge, offering them supplies and financial support in exchange for their efforts. However, none of these individuals succeeded in locating the elusive gold-laden cavern.
Then, in 1891, a seasoned prospector named Warren Peters entered the scene. Peters, a 61-year-old veteran of the prospecting world, had recently sold two silver claims in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado before arriving in New Mexico. He stopped in Gallup, intending to prospect in the gold camps of the Mogollon Mountains in the southwestern part of the state. It was in Gallup that he crossed paths with John Lorenzo Hubbell. Seeing another opportunity, Hubbell shared the tale of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah, with Peters, who became so intrigued that he accompanied Hubbell to his home in Ganado, Arizona. There, Hubbell provided Peters with detailed information and a map of the White Cliffs. Peters agreed to undertake the search.
In May 1891, Peters set out to find the lost ledge. One can only imagine his elation when he finally located the V-shaped opening. Making his way through the narrow passage, he beheld the icicle-like formations described by Hubbell. Without hesitation, he dislodged several 20-inch-long stalactites, which scattered chunks of gold upon impact.
Filled with excitement, Peters gathered the gold into several pouches, loaded them onto two burrows, and headed to the nearest railhead at Marysvale, approximately 80 miles to the north. He then traveled to Salt Lake City to sell his precious cargo. However, he was informed that the gold would have to be shipped to Denver for processing. After waiting for more than a month, he finally received payment for his find. Thrilled by the substantial sum, he eagerly returned to the White Cliffs in August 1891, intent on securing more riches from the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah.
Confident in his ability to relocate the cleft, he re-supplied and returned. However, upon reaching Deer Springs Wash, he realized that he had overshot the location. Surprised by his mistake, he backtracked and began his search anew. He scoured the area, but the V-shaped opening remained elusive.
Frustrated by his inability to find the entrance a second time, Peters continued his search until winter approached. Eventually, he returned to Hubbell in Arizona, empty-handed. The two men spent the winter theorizing about why Peters had found the ledge so easily the first time but had been unable to relocate it. They planned to return to Utah in the spring. However, when the time came, Hubbell decided not to go himself. Instead, he sent a friend named Henry "Wild Hank" Sharp and two Navajo Indians named Little Chanter and Black Horse.
As the four prospectors prepared to depart on April 5, 1892, Hubbell warned them about the dangerous men who inhabited that region of southern Utah. Despite the warning, the four men, armed and well-supplied, set out with 20 pack mules.
Upon arriving at the White Cliffs, they encountered cattle grazing on the range but paid little attention and established camp at the base of the cliffs near a spring. The next day, they split into two pairs and began searching for the opening. Peters and Sharp returned to camp first, only to find six men present. Approaching cautiously, they noticed that their belongings had been disturbed.
When Peters inquired about the situation, the apparent leader of the group claimed that the area was plagued by cattle thieves and that his cattle were grazing on the range. Peters explained that they were prospectors, had no interest in the cattle, and the land was public domain. The cowboy insisted that they leave.
The cowboys rode off after issuing a final threatening warning to vacate the area. The four prospectors remained in camp for the evening and decided to stay together the following day and carry their arms as they searched for the crevice. However, upon examining their pistols and rifles, they discovered that every weapon had been tampered with. Deciding to relocate, they packed up their belongings and planned to move the camp four miles east to Deer Springs Wash. Over the next four days, they moved slowly, searching for the lost ledge along the way before finally establishing a second camp near Deer Springs Wash.
Over the next several days, they continued their thorough search of the White Cliffs, while at night, they worried about the dangerous cowboys. Returning to camp after a day of searching, the Navajo discovered unknown tracks around the camp. Someone had clearly been there. They decided to search for one more day and then leave. In the meantime, they split up the camp, moving their pack animals and most of their supplies to the east side of the wash while leaving their food and utensils at the original camp. After supper, the four moved to the east side of the wash to bed down for the night. However, as Peters and Sharp discussed the situation, they spied 15 riders approaching from the west. Halting at the abandoned camp, one of them yelled that they were county officers and the prospectors were under arrest.
The four prospectors took cover, and Peters responded, "What are the charges?"
The leader of the cowboys accused them of cattle rustling, but Peters countered that they were nothing more than a mob of cowboys and would shoot if the cowboys advanced. After a brief silence, bullets began to rain in Peter’s direction, and the prospectors returned fire. Hidden by cover, they managed to force back the cowboys, but Peters sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
Sharp and the Indians immediately began to pack up their belongings, bandaged Peter’s wound, and retreated towards Arizona. Fearing pursuit, they traveled as quickly as possible throughout the night, making camp only after they had crossed into Arizona.
After allowing Peters some time to recover, they returned to Hubbell, who decided that the gold was not worth risking lives. Peters returned to his home in Kansas, and the other three went back to their respective homes and businesses. Hubbell never again attempted to send prospectors into southern Utah.
Later, rumors circulated that a cowboy, possibly the same one who had threatened the prospectors, had sealed the entrance to the crevice because he did not want prospectors on "his range."
The legend persists that the lost ledge of gold remains hidden somewhere in the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah. However, these lands are now part of the National Park System, which prohibits treasure hunting, adding another layer of protection to the mystery of the White Cliffs Lost Gold Ledge, Utah.