Phoenix Mountains
The Phoenix Mountains are a mountain range located in central Phoenix, Arizona. With the exception of Mummy Mountain, they are part of the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. They serve as a municipal park and offer hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails at a variety of different access points.
Peaks
The major peaks of the Phoenix Mountain complex are:
- Moon Mountain
- Lookout Mountain
- Shadow Mountain
- Shaw Butte
- North Mountain
- Echo Mountain
- Stoney Mountain
- Piestewa Peak (formerly named Squaw Peak)
- Mummy Mountain
- Camelback Mountain
- Sunnyslope Mountain
Other features
The mountains contain the Phoenix Mountain Preserve which includes the Dreamy Draw Recreation Area, Lookout Mountain Preserve, North Mountain Preserve and Piestewa Mountain Park.
The Dreamy Draw Recreation Area is located in the pass between the Stoney/Echo mountain ridge and Piestewa Peak known as Dreamy Draw. The name originated from the neurological effects suffered by miners who worked the area's cinnabar (mercury sulfide) mine.[1] There is a flood prevention dam in the Dreamy Draw area.
Trails
Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail
The trail was dedicated in 1986 to Charles Milo Christiansen, the former director of Phoenix Parks and Recreation who led efforts to preserve the Phoenix Mountains. There is a memorial plaque at the western trailhead at Mountain View Park. The trail is 10.7 miles (17.2 km) long and has a total elevation gain of 200', though the elevations at both trailheads are the same. It connects North Mountain Park with Stony Mountain and Piestewa Peak Park.[2]
References
- ↑ Richard Nilsen, "Lore of Dreamy Draw: Mad Men, Green Men and Lots of Great Hikes", Arizona Republic, December 19, 2008
- ↑ John Stanley, "Charles M. Christiansen Memorial Trail', Arizona Republic', June 13, 2006
External links
Coordinates: 33°33′N 112°0′W / 33.550°N 112.000°W