From there, we used Silver Creek to its confluence with the Rio Salado as our wilderness highway. Stopped by the wet and wild Rio Salado, we enjoyed a spectacular view of the Sierra Ladrones, or Mountain of Thieves, while our guides talked about the local geology. The Sierra Ladrones are so named for their historical use as a hideaway for Apache and Navaho Indians who used to advantage the mountain's steep canyons and absolute ruggedness to hide the bounty of their plunder. Visibility extends up to 100 miles, so its tall peaks served as lookout points as well. Nearby, in 1881, the U.S. cavalry fought a deadly battle with a band of Warm Springs Apaches under the leadership of Nana.
Legends also speak of buried Civil War cannons, lost treasure, lost mines, and desperado hideouts.
The range no longer is a robber's roost, but if you are fortunate, you might steal a glance at a Desert Bighorn Sheep. Geologically speaking, our guides described the mountain as an anomaly. That is, they could not explain its presence. Too soon, our visit was over and we had to leave. Our hosts were anxious to get back to work.