On the highest peaks, temperatures are usually 8-12 degrees cooler than in the valley. Snow can be seen at least once or twice a year on the highest points of the mountain range (typically above 4,000 ft). Sometimes, the snow level can drop near 2,000 ft (610 m), but depends if the precipitation reaches the mountain range. A good example is during the month of March 2006, when a heavy storm system reached the state and lowered snow levels near 4,000 ft (1,200 m). Once the skies cleared next morning, snow covered the Estrella's mountain tops.
Estrella Mountain Regional park occupies 19,840 acres (8,030 ha) in the northern portion of the range. The park offers multi-use trails including a competitive loop for running and mountain biking. Equestrian use is permitted. The park has parking and a riding arena.[1]
History
The Sierra Estrellas were inhabited by the Akimel O'odham people and also some Yavapai bands at the north end of the range at the time of Spanish colonization, and today the mountains tower over several of the Akimel O'odham and Maricopa villages of the Gila River Indian Community. There are petroglyphs throughout the Southern portion of the range. In the colonial era, they were part of the land claimed as New Spain. Occasionally Spanish explorers or priests, most notably Father Kino, would venture near the range to document the area and contact the Akimel O'odham. On his return from the Colorado River in March 1699, Kino climbed a pass through the Sierra Estrellas and saw the Río Salado and Río Verde that he drew on his maps.[2]
In 1810, Mexico declared independence from Spain, and the Sierra Estrellas went on to become part of Mexico. In 1827, a French fur trapping expedition led by Michel Robidoux was attacked by Indians and survivors escaped into the Sierra Estrella mountains.[3] In 1853, the United States acquired the Estrellas from Mexico as part of the Gadsden purchase.[1] It soon became part of a trade route for settlers in California known as the Butterfield Overland stage. People and equipment could be moved across the area much quicker. The route was massively successful in its time, moving millions of dollars in supplies. However, it was short-lived. Steam locomotives soon replaced stage coaches across the United States, and the Butterfield Stage Route was no longer utilized.[4]
In 1857, the Battle of Pima Butte was fought in the area of the mountains. The allied Yuma, Mohave, Yavapai and Apache peoples attacked the Maricopa village of Sacate. The Maricopa and their allies, the Akimel O'odham, defeated the attackers, leaving approximately 200 of them dead or wounded. It is notable for being the last major battle fought solely between indigenous Americans in North America.
Access
Estrella Mountains from Laveen, January 2004. Hayes Peak is on the right.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are required to approach the wilderness boundary. Only the western boundary of the wilderness is accessible to the public; elsewhere the wilderness is bounded by the Gila River Indian Reservation.[5]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sierra Estrella.
Estrella Mountain Regional Park Trails at HikeArizona.COM
January 31, 2023
sierra, estrella, odham, komaḍk, maricopa, lyxa, yavapai, kchasa, mountain, range, located, southwest, phoenix, arizona, much, range, falls, within, gila, river, indian, reservation, acres, land, protected, wilderness, estrella, mountainshighest, pointpeakhaye. The Sierra Estrella O odham Komaḍk Maricopa Vii Lyxa Yavapai Wi kchasa is a mountain range located southwest of Phoenix Arizona Much of the range falls within the Gila River Indian Reservation but 14 400 acres 5 800 ha of BLM land is protected as the Sierra Estrella Wilderness Sierra EstrellaEstrella MountainsHighest pointPeakHayes Peak Sierra Estrella Elevation4 512 ft 1 375 m Coordinates33 16 25 N 112 16 51 W 33 27361 N 112 28083 W 33 27361 112 28083 Coordinates 33 16 25 N 112 16 51 W 33 27361 N 112 28083 W 33 27361 112 28083DimensionsLength20 mi 32 km NW SEWidth5 mi 8 0 km NamingEtymologysierra estrella Spanish for Star RangeNative nameKomaḍk O odham GeographySierra EstrellaSierra Estrella in ArizonaCountryUnited StatesStateArizonaRegion northern Sonoran Desert Gila River Valley DistrictMaricopa County ArizonaSettlementKomatke AZ Laveen AZ Contents 1 Description 2 History 3 Access 4 Peaks 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksDescription EditOn the highest peaks temperatures are usually 8 12 degrees cooler than in the valley Snow can be seen at least once or twice a year on the highest points of the mountain range typically above 4 000 ft Sometimes the snow level can drop near 2 000 ft 610 m but depends if the precipitation reaches the mountain range A good example is during the month of March 2006 when a heavy storm system reached the state and lowered snow levels near 4 000 ft 1 200 m Once the skies cleared next morning snow covered the Estrella s mountain tops Estrella Mountain Regional park occupies 19 840 acres 8 030 ha in the northern portion of the range The park offers multi use trails including a competitive loop for running and mountain biking Equestrian use is permitted The park has parking and a riding arena 1 History EditThe Sierra Estrellas were inhabited by the Akimel O odham people and also some Yavapai bands at the north end of the range at the time of Spanish colonization and today the mountains tower over several of the Akimel O odham and Maricopa villages of the Gila River Indian Community There are petroglyphs throughout the Southern portion of the range In the colonial era they were part of the land claimed as New Spain Occasionally Spanish explorers or priests most notably Father Kino would venture near the range to document the area and contact the Akimel O odham On his return from the Colorado River in March 1699 Kino climbed a pass through the Sierra Estrellas and saw the Rio Salado and Rio Verde that he drew on his maps 2 In 1810 Mexico declared independence from Spain and the Sierra Estrellas went on to become part of Mexico In 1827 a French fur trapping expedition led by Michel Robidoux was attacked by Indians and survivors escaped into the Sierra Estrella mountains 3 In 1853 the United States acquired the Estrellas from Mexico as part of the Gadsden purchase 1 It soon became part of a trade route for settlers in California known as the Butterfield Overland stage People and equipment could be moved across the area much quicker The route was massively successful in its time moving millions of dollars in supplies However it was short lived Steam locomotives soon replaced stage coaches across the United States and the Butterfield Stage Route was no longer utilized 4 In 1857 the Battle of Pima Butte was fought in the area of the mountains The allied Yuma Mohave Yavapai and Apache peoples attacked the Maricopa village of Sacate The Maricopa and their allies the Akimel O odham defeated the attackers leaving approximately 200 of them dead or wounded It is notable for being the last major battle fought solely between indigenous Americans in North America Access Edit Estrella Mountains from Laveen January 2004 Hayes Peak is on the right Four wheel drive vehicles are required to approach the wilderness boundary Only the western boundary of the wilderness is accessible to the public elsewhere the wilderness is bounded by the Gila River Indian Reservation 5 Peaks Edit Fire in the Gila River Valley southwest of Phoenix Rainbow Valley over peaks of Sierra Estrella The major peaks of the Sierra Estrella are NW to SE Hayes Peak 4 512 feet 1 375 m named in honor of Ira Hayes US Marine hero of the Pima Nation Montezuma Sleeping Butterfly Mountain 4 119 feet 1 255 m 6 Quartz Peak 4 052 feet 1 235 m 7 usually obscured by Butterfly Mountain when viewed from the east Montezuma Peak 4 337 feet 1 322 m 8 Montezuma HeadThe names of the peaks can vary by map For example Google Maps lists Hayes Peak as Sierra Estrella High Point and does not name any other peak See also EditList of mountain ranges of Arizona List of Arizona Wilderness AreasReferences Edit a b Estrella Mountain Regional Park Archived 2002 06 01 at the Wayback Machine Rim of Christendom by Herbert E Bolton p 422 Batman Richard 1984 American Ecclesiastes San Diego Harcourt Brace Jovanovich pp 167 170 Handbook to Arizona by Richard J Hinton BLM Sierra Estrella Wilderness Arizona Road amp Recreation Atlas p 46 47 BLM Quartz Peak Trail Todd s Hiking GuideExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sierra Estrella Estrella Mountain Regional Park Trails at HikeArizona COM Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sierra Estrella amp oldid 1083954422, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
