I have lived in the Globe/Miami community, and frequented the “Valley of the Sun” Phoenix metro area, literally thousands of times, for over 35 years. I have found a great deal of historic information about Globe/Miami, neighboring cities and towns, and most of the rest of the State of Arizona, concerning their origin and history. It’s not difficult to find this information online, and/or in newspapers, magazines, or in the libraries. But, information about one particular neighboring community seems to be lacking, regardless of where you seek the information.
Between Miami and Superior, Arizona is a small community that is known as “Top O’ The World”. The place is not an incorporated city or township, and as far as I can tell, does not have its own municipal government, fire protection, schools, telephone exchange or law enforcement agency. All of these things are drawn from the neighboring Globe/Miami, Superior, or from the State of Arizona.
A few Web sites have statistical information about “Top O’ The World” concerning its population breakdown, area, topography, and other details. But this information doesn’t say anything about the origin or history of the community!
Not being able to find any confirmed, factual, written history about the area makes it rather difficult for anyone to come to any conclusions about such history, other than what is heard by other people. Therefore, I have taken it upon myself to supply such information, based strictly upon information that I have received, as a general consensus, from a good number of people in the community, and in the neighboring communities.
“Top O’ The World” is also referred to, and supposedly is actually named “Sutton’s Summit”, after the man who founded the area. As such, what is the story of “Top O’ The World”? How did the area become known as, or dubbed “Top O’ The World”?
Mr. Sutton founded this small community in the Mid-Eastern portion of the State of Arizona before prostitution was made to be illegal, and had a brothel in the community. Where the “Top O’ The World” Trading Post is now located, along the North side of State Highway 60, Mr. Sutton placed a large billboard, advertising his brothel.
Wanting to have a bit of a “catchy” phrase for his advertising, his billboard reflected the message:
COME VISIT OUR LADIES, AND LET THEM PUT YOU ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
Thus, the little community was dubbed “Top O’ The World”, and became more well-known as such, than the actual name of “Sutton’s Summit”.
Well, believe it or not. Fact or fiction? I can’t seem to verify one way or the other. You decide for yourself. As stated, I can’t seem to gather enough verifiable information about this community to say whether or not this is true. But, this is THE LEGEND OF “TOP O’ THE WORLD”, as I have heard it from other people in the area.
Now, about the cache:
The cache is located on the side of one of the larger hills to the North of Highway 60. Upon your arrival at the cache site, you will be able to look down to the East-Northeast, over what is now the
BHP Biliton’s Pinto Valley Mine.
While planning the hiding of this cache, I had hoped to provide some more information about the production statistics of Pinto Valley copper mine. But, surprisingly, as large as this operation is, I was not able to do so, as this information is also difficult to find. Even after having contacted the company headquarters, requesting the information especially for this cache.
Nevertheless, the view of the mine is a spectacular sight, and can help one to understand the size of the operation.
To the South-Southeast, and immediate South-southwest of the cache site, you will be able to see a great portion of the “Top O’ The World” community.
If you look closely in this area, you will be able to see traffic traveling along Highway 60.
Access to the cache is rather tricky, and it is important that you follow the instructions given, unless you know of another access route, as much of the property in the area is private property, and IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE to trespass on! However, the route that I took to hide the cache is publicly accessible, does not enter or cross any of the private property, and is given below.
Turn North off of Hwy 60, onto E. Oak Ln. (N 33º 21.027 W 110º 59.385).
Only approximately 420 feet, to the North is a dirt road (N 33º 21.094 W 110º 59.369) leading to the general vicinity of the cache. This dirt road is difficult to see if you’re not looking for it, due to the surrounding vegetation.
If you have a large group with multiple vehicles, you will need to consider a bit of a longer hike, due to parking availability. For multiple vehicles, it is recommended that you park at (N 33º 21.108 W 110º 59.462), then hike in, following the road to the North. Also, a high clearance or 4x4 vehicle is recommended for vehicular access beyond this point!
However, if you only have a single vehicle capable of continuing on the road from this point, a small parking and turn-around area is available at (N 33º 21.209 W 110º 59.423). I drove to this point in my 2002 Ford Ranger 2 WD, 4 cylinder truck. So, it’s not too awful. But, it is rough, and requires a bit of off-road driving skill. I wouldn’t recommend going beyond this point with any vehicle, based upon the conditions at the time of hiding the cache!
From this point, you are on your own. The area has a very high volume of manzanita bushes and other overgrowth, and the “trails” are very scanty and are not well defined. However, there is one particular path/trail that makes the foot travel a bit easier than trying to “maze” around the vegetation and rocks, to the cache. But finding that path is up to you!
This is a beautiful area, with heavy overgrowth of the manzanita bush, which is identified by the red/maroon colored limbs. Please do not destroy these, or any other vegetation (or other) features on your hike to the cache. However, remember that this is also the Arizona desert! Be alert for rattlesnakes, scorpions, and other vermin that could be very hazardous to your health!
Also, be sure to take plenty of water/fluid with you. Once you begin your hike, the higher TERRAIN rating will quickly become obvious. The hike is less than 1500 feet (straight line).
Contents of the original cache are: Log book, large rubber ball (about 3” diameter) for the kids, and a trackable geocoin. The geocoin IS NOT TRACKABLE ON GEOCACHING.COM, and it was not placed as a FTF prize!
However, it is trackable on xsnrg.com. If you do take this coin, I ask that you please do log it on this site, so we can watch the adventures of our coin!
There is also a $15.00 Subway gift card for the FTF prize.
I have spoken to a few “veteran” cachers in my short time of being involved in the sport, and have come to agree with most of them. I believe that the biggest thrill of finding a cache is the quality location of the cache, and the view that can be seen, or the lesson that can be learned from that location, rather than the quantity of caches found. Thus, the reason for this rather difficult-to-access location. The view is astounding! Take time to enjoy it!
Happy Hunting.
Congrats to Flatiron & Mrs. Wrangler on the FTF!! (4 Dec 08).